Top of the table Barton battled the wind and tough opposition in Dudley to force their way to a tight victory on Saturday. Barton maintained their position at the summit of Staffs Division One going in to the Christmas break, but they were made to work hard for it by a well organised Dudley side.

Barton were without youngster Rachel Slinn so Rachel Haines slotted in at right back alongside Michelle Kinsella, Amanda Green and Rachel Cooke on the left.

The home side started slowly and appeared off the pace as Dudley pressed hard and 15 minutes in the visitors profited from a defensive lapse to take the lead. Following the restart Barton were prompted into action and began to make offensive inroads through Justine Woodcock, Hannah Smith and Hattie Buxton. Several short corners were awarded and with Robyn Welch injecting, Lu Gascoigne forced a good save from the Dudley keeper, after a neat stick stop from Smith. Further corners led to more chances but the Barton forward line of Gascoigne and Meg Jacobs couldn't get the better of the agile Dudley goalkeeper and sturdy defence. Finally a breakthrough came via Smith who made a trademark run from midfield, interchanging passes with Buxton and Woodcock before pushing the ball through the keepers legs to level up the scores.

The conversation at half time from coach Mark Moore was to increase the intensity and improve the passing interplay. Barton did their best to raise their game but still found themselves struggling to breakdown the opposition defence. Dudley also had the ability to counter attack quickly which put the Barton defence under pressure on numerous occasions; Kinsella and Cooke held firm putting in some crucial tackles to blunt the threat. Barton keeper Connie Wain was called into action to clear as a Dudley forward broke the lines. However a series of penalty corners for the home side eventually led to a goal. Green picked up a loose ball after the Dudley defence half cleared the D, Green created space to deliver a hard cross for Gascoigne to get a vital touch a deflect the ball into the net just above the back board. The home side were jubilant and held on for 15 further nail biting minutes to grab the three points.

Barton resume league action on the 16th of January.