Barwell’s poor run of results continued as a frustrating afternoon culminated in the sending off of Luke Barlone for two bookable offences.

Despite an early goal for the visitors and a penalty just before half time, Barwell enjoyed large periods of possession but could not convert their chances and were made to pay the price.

The game started in the worst possible fashion for the Canaries and with just 90 seconds on the clock, a long throw from Adrian Cambridge was sliced across the goal by Pete Saunders into the path of Craig Hammond who turned and volleyed home from close range.

Barwell were determined to pull back the goal and early efforts from Jamie Towers were only thwarted by Zac Barrett in the Cambridge goal.

After 12 minutes a long free kick from Guy Sanders found the head of Luke Barlone but his header lacked direction and went past the post.

Less than 60 seconds later a ball into the box found Jamie Towers who set up Luke Barlone who was unmarked on the six yard line. He missed the ball and an open goal.

Following a scything tackle on Ady Cambridge and a reaction against Victor Torres, Luke Barlone could have been in serious trouble on 18 minutes but he escaped with a serious talking to from referee Mr.Liam Jones as the away supporters were baying for a straight red card.

Barwell continued to press forwards and a minute later a long clearance from Liam Castle found Matt West who linked up with Tom Weale, received the ball back and shot drawing a diving save from Barrett on his line.

Cambridge responded soon after with a period of pressure and Mitchell Bryant in particular was looking dangerous for Cambridge. A ball into the box roused cries of handball from the visiting Lilywhites in the crowd but the referee was unmoved.

After 23 minutes it was the home supporters who were pleading for a penalty as Matt West was felled by a contact in the box following a Jai Stanley free kick but again the referee saw no offence.

After 25 minutes Pat Bexfield became the first name in the referee’s book following a late tackle on Jamie Towers.

Two minutes on and Barwell had to be sharp at the back as Mitchell Bryant danced past a number of tackles and was only stopped by the advancing Liam Castle who dived at his feet.

The pressure continued and Lee Clift in his turn drew an excellent save from Liam Castle as he turned away a dangerous shot.

After 33 minutes Matt West ran onto a ball into the box, he shot and hit the post.

Soon after Luke Barlone latched onto a ball on the edge of the area, had a shot which was saved by the flailing legs of Zac Barrett. Jamie Towers followed up but his shot across the keeper went out past the post.

Barwell’s woes continued and after 38 minutes a penalty was conceded after an Ady Cambridge corner fell to Craig Hammond. Luke Barlone jumped all over the Cambridge forward and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hammond himself doubled his personal tally sending Liam Castle the wrong way from the spot kick.

After 43 minutes, in a bizarre incident, Jai Stanley received a yellow card for taking a free kick before the whistle was blown.

Barwell started the second half with intent and a good cross from Tom Weale found Luke Barlone who flicked the ball into the path of Matt West. West shot drawing a good save from Barrett who pushed the ball round his post.

After 50 minutes a headed effort from Tom Weale, who received the ball from Jai Stanley, ended up the wrong side of the left post.

Four minutes later, Bryant pushed forwards and after creating a shooting space for himself let fly but Liam Castle’s two handed save pushed the ball over the bar to safety.

The Lilywhites continued to push and a minute later, Robbie Nightingale had a chance to cross but his effort drifted over the bar.

With the play going from end to end, Pete Saunders latched onto a Jamie Towers pass and shot but his effort like many others went past the post.

With the game approaching the hour mark, Hammond and Bryant combined but their efforts were once again stopped by Liam Castle who cleared away for a corner.

Barwell had a lucky escape on 68 minutes as a ball played through the Barwell defence fell to Mitchell Bryant. Liam Castle advanced and went to ground as Bryant slid the ball under him. Fortunately for the Canaries, the ball edged just wide of the right post.

With 8 minutes to play, a Jai Stanley corner fell to the head of Guy Sanders who headed past the post.

After 84 minutes, Luke Barlone was clearly frustrated as he put in a scything tackle of Nightingale. The referee had no hesitation in showing Barlone a yellow card.

With 3 minutes played of stoppage time the ball fell to Luke Barlone. AS he shaped to shoot a tackle came in from Dave Theobald. With cries of agony Theobald convinced the referee that he had been fouled although there did not appear to be any contact and Barlone was shown a second yellow card and dismissed.

This was a sorry end to a disappointing match and frustration finally told for the home side as they went down to ten men in stoppage time.

Although Barwell enjoyed plenty of possession, they failed to convert their chances and paid the price for poor finishing. Cambridge City grabbed the two scoring chances with both hands but their other attempts were few and far between.

However, there were a number of decent performances with Liam Castle performing well between the sticks as usual.
It has to be noted that Cambridge were restricted to very few chances on goal throughout the match. On this occasion, Guy Sanders stood out at the back and was awarded Man of the Match.

Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Pete Saunders, Nick Green, Guy Sanders, Jai Stanley, Jamie Towers, Tom Weale, Luke Barlone, Matt West (Kev Charley 63), Nigel Julien.
Sub not used: Mason Rowley, Rob Oddy, Danny Scheppel.

Yellow Cards: Stanley 43, Barlone 84 & 90 +3 (Red)

Attendance: 158

Man of the Match: Guy Sanders.