In a game where in all honesty neither team did enough to deserve a win it was Barton who took all three points. The game started well for both teams with both teams looking to get the ball down and play football, Northwood were looking to use there wings whilst Barton gave good supply into there target man both into feet and head.
Both teams were cagey and didn’t seem to want to give much away. Northwood had a couple of chances from distance through Nick Brown but never really challenged the Barton Keeper. Nick Brown also went close from a free kick on the right but couldn’t get his head over the ball and headed over.
Barton also had a few shots again from distance but never threatened goal keeper Mark Heath. All in all a pretty dull first half was brought to a close.
The second half kicked off pretty much the same, neither team really posing a great threat but still trying to play football. Nick McGraw went close twice from good corners from Matthew Cockfield, first heading wide and then heading over.
On the hour mark Barton got there lead after there striker stole half a yard on the Northwood defender and got a good glancing header that went in off the bar.
Northwood now had to try and step up a gear, sadly this never really happened. Northwood did continue to plug away but never really made anything happen. On 70 substitutes Paul Snape was brought on but was found starved of service as Northwood went long to try and put pressure on the Barton defense. However the Barton defenders were in good form and competed for everything and probably won 80% of there headers and starved the Northwood strikers of any real chances.
Overall not the best of games with Barton probably deserving there win as they took there chance and Northwood didn’t, however both teams probably wouldn’t have felt to disappointed if the game had finished a draw, certainly Northwood wouldn’t now !
Still credit must be given to Barton for the manor in which they defended and limited Northwood to such a short amount of attempts on goal. The Northwood man of the match was a hard decision with pretty much all players playing average but no one really excelling. However it’s going to be given to Nick McGraw for his constant effort and hard work.
Man of the Match
Nick McGraw
Team
Heath (M), Sherwin, Wild (L) Tams, Cockfield, Davies, Brown, Pickford, Heath (P), McGraw, Nixon
Subs
Wild (M), Fox (A), Snape
Subs not used
Ottley, Powner