REPORT: Squires Gate 6-4 Barnton

Ten goals and two red cards saw Gate come out on top in this feisty Hallmark Security Premier Division game.

Manager Andy Clarkson handed a debut to new loan signing Matthew Lawlor who joined on Saturday morning from Bamber Bridge to gain match fitness.

The goal scoring in this one got underway after just eight minutes when the visitors took the lead. Striker Christopher Bandell lifting the ball over Ben Fletcher.

There were to be plenty of chances in this one and none better than on 19 minutes. Mark Buchan crossing to the back post where Tarren Moxon met the ball but fired over. Moxon was again sent in on goal when he latched onto a superb cross field ball from new man Matthew Lawlor, Moxon drove into the box but fired wide.

Moxon would get another chance and made no mistake this time. The ball was missed by a Barnton defender allowing Moxon to run in on goal and fire past the keeper.

As quick as Gate equalise came they could have had a second. Mark Buchan looking up to find the run of the impressive 18 year old Dan Gray but the ball was cut out by Barnton before the winger could run in on goal.

Dan Gray would impress again when he sent a perfectly timed ball to find the run of hatrick hero Gary Pett on 34 minutes. The striker making no mistake after beating the offside trap he fired past the keeper for his first of the day.

The visitors would then grab themselves an equaliser minutes later. A free header at the back post for Chris Smith from a corner equalling the scores.

Perhaps the best goal of the game and even the season came on the stroke of half time from an unlucky source. The corner for Gate fell to Dean Ing who found Mike Hall outside the box. The midfielder made a sweet connection with the ball to find the top corner from outside the box for his first ever goal for the club.

HALF TIME - Squires Gate 3-2 Barnton

Gate started the second half fired up and took an early lead through Dean Ing. The ball falling to him inside the box a minute into the second half for him to fire past the keeper.

Gate would then score a quick fire double, both coming for Gary Pett for his hatrick. The first came when the ball was pulled back to the back post for the striker to fire past the keeper. The second owed much to the good work of Tarren Moxon. The winger ran from his own half to cross into the back post where Pett was stood for an easy tap in.

Barnton then had a quick fire double of their own. First striker Houghton did very well to keep control of the ball before firing past Fletcher. Then rather fortunately for the visitors defender Paul Carroll couldn’t adjust his feet quick enough as he put the ball past keeper Ben Fletcher.

The visitors would end the game nine men after being penalised for some heavy tackles. But Gate would hold on to get back to winning ways.

Gate next travel to top of the league Runcorn Town on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Higham, Lawlor, Carroll, Gray, Hall, Ing, Moxon, Buchan, Pett. Subs: O’Mahoney, Thornber, Charnley, Mullen, Colquhoun

Report by Mark Ashmore