Kettering Town 1 Barwell 2

Canaries Too Strong for Poppies Despite Late Comeback

A goal in each half put Barwell in a strong position and held on to take the points in spite of a last minute penalty for the home side which saw Barwell centre back Guy Hadland shown two yellow cards.

The most significant factor of the night was the strong swirling wind which made creative play extremely difficult and chances at either end were few and far between.

A vocal home crowd were baying from the start as decisions from referee Mr. George Sprague went against them and a total of six yellow cards shown throughout the match only exacerbated their wrath.

The home side were playing their third game in five days and with only a couple of enforced changes from Sunday’s line-up, the Canaries would hope their level of fitness would carry them through.
The visitors were almost at full strength with only Jamie Towers unavailable due to work commitments with Dave Barnett filling in on the right. Scott Lower was returning after injury at right back.

The game started with both sides sizing up the opposition and the conditions.

Luke Barlone won a free kick in the third minute for a foul but his attempt flew yards over the bar.

In the 8th minute a long ball from Jamie McAteer found Danny Newton who fed Luke Barlone. Barlone volleyed from 30 yards but he was nowhere near the target.

Kettering had their first attempt after 9 minutes as a blocked shot from Nathan Hicks rebounded to Pat Noubissie but his volley went well over the bar.

The home side enjoyed five minutes of sustained pressure but they could not penetrate the centre back pairing of Guy Hadland and Mark Albrighton who were working hard to clear their lines.

In the 14th minute, Barwell were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Kettering area which Danny Newton took. He placed the ball low to the left of the goal but Michael Quirke in the Kettering goal was well placed and pouched the ball.

Two minutes later a chance to cross presented to Dave Barnett but he was unable to judge the wind and the ball sailed well over the bar.

After 21 minutes a dangerous corner from Danny Newton was going goalwards but a header off the line from Dan Crowie, even though a free kick was awarded, impressed the home fans.

Soon after, a late tackle by Dave Barnett on Chris Logan looked to have earned the Barwell winger the first yellow card of the day but he escaped with a stern warning.

After 27 minutes Luke Barlone seemed to have slipped through the defence but Will Muzvimbiri recovered well and forced the Barwell forward wide to dispel the danger.

After 29 minutes Liam Castle was called on to deal with an awkward defensive back header which had him on the edge of his area. His feet left his area but the ball remained safely within as Mr. Sprague witnessed from close range.

From a period of pressure from Kettering after 32 minutes Scott Hadland made an excellent headed clearance forward. The ball fell to Luke Barlone who timed his pass to perfection as Danny Newton sprung the offside trap. He chipped the ball over the advancing Michael Quirke and into the net to give Barwell the lead.

After 35 minutes Aidan Bradshaw ventured into the Barwell box twice coming into contact with Mark Albrighton who was able to clear on both occasions, the away defence remaining as solid as expected.

A minute later Chris Logan was shown a yellow card for a foul on Dave Barnett which incensed the home crowd once again.

After 40 minutes, Danny Newton was proving a handful as he charged down an attempted clearance from Quirke and deflected the ball into touch.

Play switched to the other end, Will Muzvimbiri tried to play the ball out of defence but Luke Barlone used his shoulder to tackle the young right back. The referee saw no infringement which again incensed the home supporters.

After 43 minutes a lunging tackle with studs showing from Richard Lavery on Pat Noubissie earned the Barwell midfielder a yellow card.

Two minutes later it was Noubissie that earned a warning from Mr. Sprague as he conceded a free kick to Barwell on the edge of the Kettering box.

Dave Barnett’s low free kick found Danny Newton but he was unable to keep his shot on target.

As the half went into stoppage time, a second challenge from Noubissie earned him a yellow card as the referee ran out of warnings.

With four minutes of stoppage time played a corner from the left found Jamie Griffiths ont eh edge of the box. His shot was heading just under the bar but a fingertip save from Liam Castle deflected the ball over the bar for a corner.

Early in the second half Danny Newton went up for a challenge with Michael Quirke but he landed badly and needed attention.

After 56 minutes a corner from Dave Barnett was headed on by Danny Newton. There were cries of “handball” but the referee was unmoved.

Two minutes later Barnett slipped his marker and tried to chip the keeper. He gave the ball too much force and it went over the bar.

With 59 minutes played, the ball was heading for the Barwell area where substitute Tariq Kotey tried to take it past Liam Castle but the Barwell keeper stood up bravely and took the ball with Kotey bearing down on him.

After 62 minutes the referee finally spoke to Luke Barlone as he had been protesting for a while and gave him a warning.

A minute later Kotey went in late on Jamie McAteer. To his credit, the Kettering forward apologised immediately and McAteer had no problem shaking hands. The referee, however, determined further action necessary and booked Kotey for the challenge.

After 73 minutes Barwell extended their lead as Dave Barnett latched onto a ball across the six yard box by Danny Newton. He took it wide and shot across the line from a narrow angle. Despite the efforts of Jamie Griffiths to clear the ball off the line and with Luke Barlone following up just in case, the goal was awarded to Dave Barnett by the referee.

As the game approached the last two minutes of normal time, Kettering were pressing for a goal. A free kick on 88 minutes on the edge of the Barwell box for a foul gave them a chance to push forwards. Ben Ford took the free kick to the left of the box. Guy Hadland was adjudge dto have fouled a Kettering forward and a penalty was awarded. Hadland was also booked for the infringement. He continued his protests and the referee awarded him a second yellow for dissent and gave him his marching orders.

Nathan Hicks stepped up and slammed the penalty past Liam Castle to give the scoreline some respectability for the home side.

Kettering pressed on into stoppage time but Barwell held on for the win

This was a tough match in difficult conditions that meant that every player had to be at their best to cope with the wind. It was particularly hard for the defence who could not afford to make mistakes.
Liam Castle coped very well and was only beaten from the penalty spot and Mark Albrighton in particular was a rock at the back.
The midfield as a unit was having to work hard both to support the backs and to provide momentum going forwards for the attackers. Luke Barlone was making a nuisance of himself and creating a number of excellent chances. Danny Newton looked lively up front and contributed with a goal. On the flanks, Jamie McAteer and Scott Lower were solid and posed a threat coming forward and Jack Edwards supported the forwards from the left. But it was Dave Barnett who made the most significant contribution, he was all over the pitch and scored an excellent goal. He is therefore awarded the Man of the Match.

Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Jamie McAteer, Guy Hadland, Mark Albrighton, Richard Lavery, Dave Barnett, Scott Hadland, Luke Barlone (Kev Charley 82), Danny Newton (Matt Brown 83), Jack Edwards.
Subs not used: Tom Weale, Scott Rickards, Justin Marsden.

Goals: Newton 32 (assist Barlone), Barnett 73 (assist Newton).
Yellow Cards: Lavery 43, G Hadland 89 + 90 (Red)
Attendance: 198
Man of the Match: Dave Barnett