Barton United vs Gresley Rovers
Barton Utd 3 - 2 Gresley Rovers
Scorers: Shorthouse, Hanslow
Team: Ian Parker, Danny Gee, Chris Smith, Rich Foster, Dave Hatfield (c), Mark Shorthouse, Luke Taylor, Sam Worth, Joe Swift, Rich Hanslow, Paul Morton
Subs: Nige Brewin, Craig Harrison, Matt Gee
We found ourselves in another quarter-final, this time in the supplementary cup, and were away at Barton. We were still missing Joe Tomlin and Josh Gregory (both injured) and Dan Woodings through work commitments.
We still had a strong squad though, and I was delighted to see Hanslow return for us. Barton showed is a lot of respect, adding first team players to their squad.
The game got underway, and we settled in quite well, with some neat football finding feet. We were the better side, as Barton struggled to contain us. I'd spoke about things before the game, one being their keeper's handling on crosses. We tested him a few times, and he looked nervy with them. We went ahead, which was much deserved, from a great Swift corner which was met at the far post by Shorthouse's header.
So 20 minutes in we'd broken the dead lock, with Barton having very little threat on our defence. We were using the width of the pitch, stretching Barton, and from an attack Morton was fouled 5 yards outside the box. Hanslow stepped up, and left the keeper rooted, as he executed a great freekick. So 2-0 up with 30 minutes gone, you tend to feel that you should be in a commanding position. Barton however hit back twice before halftime, which I feel was disappointing, because before then Parker hadn't a save to make. So we'd gifted them two easy goals, both I felt were avoidable.
Second half, we set about them again, and had the much better of things. I honestly don't know how the ref missed their keeper handling way outside his area (when beaten) but he did??. It wasn't the first decision he got wrong either (for both sides), so perhaps he was having an off day because things got out of hand as he lost control.
Barton used their experience, because they used this to their advantage, swaying many of his decisions and knowing what they could get away with. Foster was sent from the pitch( which I thought was only cationable) along with a Barton player for a headbutt afterwards on Foster. The only bonus for me was that Foster showed great discipline in the afters.
Barton scored what proved to be the winner, in another mix up, which I feel was a gift from us. We replaced Shorthouse for Brewin, as we looked to get back on terms, but Barton resorted to time wasting (wouldn't have moaned if we'd been in that position though). The game became scrappy as the ref let far too much go in my opinion, and Barton were fortunate not to reduced further, as their left mid fielder twice raised his hands as well as clattering Gee from behind.
Tonight we lost and got knocked out the cup, but our performance was good. Barton got through and fair play to them for that, but if winning means resorting to their style, then perhaps losing isn't a bad thing. I say that because some of their players were very unsporting and that's something I certainly won't tolerate. We've come along way this season, and credit to the lads for that, and don't possibly get the credit they deserve from higher up because we do play neat football.
It gives us a week off now though, and I'm sure the lads are looking forward to their cup final next Thursday.
