Barton Town Old Boys FC defeated by Worksop Parramore and lose unbeaten league record

Barton Town Old Boys FC lost 2-1 to Worksop Parramore on Saturday.

Barton paid the price for a lacklustre and lethargic opening 45 minutes, conceding an early goal before hauling themselves level in a much-improved second half showing, only to concede a soft second goal within a few minutes of getting back on level terms to allow Worksop Parramore to run out winners, ending Town’s unbeaten start to their league campaign in the process.

Dave Anderson was forced into making a number of changes to the side that won well at Liversedge last Saturday. With Dave Bramley serving a one match suspension for his sending off against Staveley Miners Welfare, Ben White made his first start for the club in goal.

New signings Josh Schofield and Steve Norton came straight into the side in place of the holidaying Joe Cooper and Gareth Owen, who switched to the bench. Gareth Barlow continued to partner skipper Ash Dexter at the back as Mike Gibson remains some weeks away from returning following ankle ligament damage.

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In a flat opening to the first half, Town conceded the initiative to Parramore from the outset who made the most of it, taking the lead some seven minutes in, Lee Thompson having time to fire home, low and hard, from the edge of the area, after Barton had given the ball away too easily.

White then did well to turn William McGhie’s goal-bound effort over the angle of post and bar as Worksop went in search of the all-important second goal.

At this stage Town were rarely a threat at the other end as Old Boys’ new boys Schofield and Norton, understandably enough needing time to get on the same wavelength as their team-mates, struggled to impose themselves on the game. That will come.

But, despite a lot of possession, helped in no small measure by Town’s inability to keep the ball, Worksop failed to make the most of it and almost paid the price as the hosts came roaring back in the second half. The introduction of substitute Richard Medcalf, the effects of his knee injury still restricting him to the bench, for the below-par Ray Ford, seemed to act as a catalyst for a much-improved Barton showing.

The warning signs for Parramore had been there. First, excellent interplay in the 53rd minute between Norton and Schofield saw the former’s well-struck drive beat Steve Hernandez in the Worksop goal all ends up, only to cannon off the right-hand post. Under pressure and off-balance, Norton could only direct the rebound off target.

Minutes later, Tom Bennett, starting to run the show, picked up a short Ash Lattimore corner and weaved his way into the box before seeing his shot blocked.

Town were knocking on the door and it finally opened in the 65th minute, MEDCALF working his way into the right side of the Worksop area before firing across Hernandez into the bottom corner for a well-deserved ( on the second half showing ) Barton leveller.

But, the saying goes, “ you are always most vulnerable just after you’ve scored “, and so it proved. Town had already been given ample warning, Lee Holmes’ great strike looping over the stranded White to crash against the bar in the 68th minute.

That warning was not heeded just a minute later as Worksop’s Lee Whittington was on hand to fire home after Adam Fretwell’s initial effort rebounded to him off White’s post.

In a position to get something for their second half endeavours, within the space of four minutes Town found themselves chasing the game again. And chase it they did, Ryan Cooper getting goal-side of the Worksop defence only to see his flicked effort nestle on top of the net following good approach play by Lattimore and Danny Brunton before Lattimore’s low drive was turned away by Hernandez and re-gathered by the keeper just before the lurking Owen could follow up.

In added on time, Brunton then appeared to have the chance to level things as he went one on one with Hernandez, only to be pulled up by a late offside flag. It was the last action in the game, a classic one of two halves, before the referee blew his whistle for the final time.

Town will be bitterly disappointed to see their unbeaten league run, the last remaining one in a hotly-contested division come to an end, but they only have themselves to blame.

Make no mistake, Worksop Parramore are a good side, they are currently top of the table for a reason. All the more reason, then, not to hand them the initiative for most of the first half, which, in effect, by giving the ball away so cheaply, is what Town did.

On their second half showing, it could be argued Barton deserved something out of the game. Unfortunately, the game is played over 90 minutes and Town paid the price. It should prove a useful lesson to this young and still-developing side – provided that lesson is taken on board….

Without a midweek fixture, the Old Boys have to wait until next Saturday before hoping to start another little unbeaten run.

The long trip to Long Eaton United, another side to have made an excellent start, lies in front of them.

It will no doubt prove a stiff test.

Barton: White; Sherwood, Barlow, Dexter, Brunton; Schofield (sub, Marshall), Bennett, R.Cooper, Lattimore; Ford (Medcalf), Norton (Owen). Sub (not used) Friend.

Attendance: 80.