Central Midlands League
South
Barrowby FC 3
South Normanton Athletic 0
Barrowby faced the ominous task of facing one of the league favourites on Saturday but were confident of continuing their impressive home form.
The home side started the game like they were challenging for the title when after only five minutes they nearly took the lead. A quality delivery from a free kick found Warner who guided his header towards goal, but was denied by a great one-handed save low to the keeper’s right.
The Swans did not have to wait long to get their just reward when a minute later they broke the deadlock. McDonald received the ball in space and swung a dangerous ball into the heart of the South Normanton box where, in desperation to clear, it was headed into his own goal by the despairing centre half.
The new look Barrowby defence was superbly marshalled by Warner who, with Walmsley, Gibson and Loveridge, gave the visitors little change. On a rare foray into the Barrowby area, South Normanton forced a great reaction save from Flavell that saw the half time whistle blow with the Swans maintaining their one goal advantage.
The first half display seem to give the Swans greater confidence after the break and again they started well. The lead was increased on 56 minutes when a Watson corner was again turned into his own net by a South Normanton defender.
Making his first start of the season, Craig Wilson started to combine with effect with Callum Tyndall and a third goal seemed inevitable.
On 67 minutes, the win was sealed with possibly the move of the match. Great chasing down by Tyndall saw the ball break to Wilson in the centre of the park. With a great turn of pace, he drove at the South Normanton defence before slipping an inch-perfect pass into the run of Clarke. With consummate ease, Clarke took a touch in his stride and finished coolly to the keeper’s right to send the Swans into delirium.
Barrowby’s man of the match was Liam Warner and match sponsor was Grantham Honda.