Barwell ended their League campaign in style with a comfortable 4-0 win against a below par Matlock Town side.
The win gave Barwell a 73 point tally for the season equalling last year’s total and a ninth place place in the League.
Two goals from both Jamie Towers and Brady Hickey saw the home side victorious in a one sided contest.
Shouts for a penalty for the home side early on were dismissed by referee Lisa Rashid after Michael Harcourt appeared to have handled in the area.
The Canaries went ahead in just the third minute when a ball from Nathan Edgington found Hickey who volleyed from 18 yards into the bottom corner giving away keeper George Willis no chance.
The home side doubled their lead seven minutes later as Alex Tomkinson found Towers who sidefooted home from ten yards.
Matlock hit the bar soon after from a Harcourt header and looked threatening coming forward.
However soon after Harcourt was lucky to escape severe punishment after tripping Towers, receiving just a yellow card.
Barwell continued to be dominant and took control as they grabbed their third eight minutes before the break.
This was a well crafted move with a pinpoint cross from Owen Story finding Tomkinson who directed a volley onto six yards where Towers was waiting to head in from close range.
Keeper Liam Castle had to work hard to keep out Adam Yates whose header was well saved from close range.
Matlock introduced substitute Danny Holland up front and he had a number of clear cut chances but on each occasion he could not find the target.
The Gladiators’ woes were compounded after 51 minutes when Towers was fouled on the edge of the box. Hickey stepped up to fire into the net with a delightful free kick.
With Matlock pushing hard at the end for a consolation goal, Barwell’s defence was made to work hard but coped well with the pressure of Holland and his colleagues. The joint efforts of Joe Ballinger and Liam Kay, well backed up by Richard Lavery gave Castle a well deserved clean sheet.
The season will culminate with the Leicestershire Challenge Cup Final against Leicester Nirvana to be held on the 17th May at the Kingpower Stadium at 7.45 pm.
Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Eddy Nisevic, Liam Kay, Joe Ballinger (Guy Hadland 87), Richard Lavery, Alex Tomkinson, Brady Hickey, Jamie Towers, Owen Story (Trey Brathwaite 55), Nathan Edgington (Sam Hollis 53)
Subs not used: Ryan Boothe, Declan Towers.
Goals: Hickey 3 (assist Edgington), 51, Towers 10 (assist Tomkinson), 39 (assist Story/Tomkinson)
Yellow Card: Edgington 45
Attendance: 151
Man of the Match: Brady Hickey
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
7. | Frickley Athletic | 46 | 77 |
8. | Nantwich Town | 46 | 75 |
9. | Barwell | 46 | 73 |
10. | Rushall Olympic | 46 | 69 |
11. | Buxton | 46 | 67 |
12. | Sutton Coldfield Town | 46 | 62 |
13. | Halesowen Town | 46 | 62 |