Ambers suffer midweek setback

The Ambers were beaten 3-1 in an entertaining game at Barton Town ....

Tuesday night saw The Ambers make a trip to North Lincolnshire to face Barton Town in the shadow of the Humber Bridge in the knowledge that three points for The Swans would propel them to the top of the table, whilst Handsworth were looking to build momentum following Saturday’s win at Albion Sports.
There was an Ambers debut for Johno Williams newly arrived from Frickley Athletic and a first start for Alec Denton up front, although Jas Colliver’s plans were dealt an early blow when Jake Currie pulled up injured in the warm up and had to be withdrawn.
After a lively start from both teams, the Managers night went from bad to worse when Lee Hill had to leave the field after just 14 minutes, after picking up with what looked like a pulled hamstring. A re-structuring took place and Brad Nicholson moved in to the centre of midfield with Jamie Green taking over at left back.
The home side came close to breaking the deadlock shortly after when the highly effective Chambers, last seen scoring a hat trick against The Ambers for Hall Road last season, broke clear and fired in a great effort which skimmed the bar, but Handsworth hit back, Williams firing a low free kick narrowly wide after half an hour.
As both sides traded blows in an entertaining conflict, it was the visitors who were in the ascendancy for a while due to the growing influence of Williams. Lee Cooksey looked like he was about to knock the ball in from close range before it was hacked away for a corner, and Cameron Rigby raced through on the right but somehow his effort was blocked on the line.
The Swans came firing back as half time approached with the Waudby brothers both forcing Phil Barnes into action, and how one corner into a crowded Ambers box evaded everyone remains a mystery.
The Ambers started the second half on the front foot and the deadlock was soon broken when some good work down the left released Williams on the right of the box and the debutant finished well. He then almost doubled the lead two minutes later but his effort was held by Barton keeper Collins and it wasn’t long before the home side were turning the screw.
Barnes made a great save at the feet of Waudby before Chambers blasted the loose ball wide of a gaping goal, but the respite was short lived as a mix up at the back resulted in Ozzy Radford fouling his opponent and conceding a penalty which Tom Waudby converted.
Barton then brought on a couple of substitutes, the veteran Barlow who has a nasty habit of netting against The Ambers and young speedster Chamalilo, and it was the latter’s pace which soon caused havoc. Barlow almost netted immediately but didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity and once again, it was The Ambers who were architects of their own downfall when another mix up allowed Barlow to score one of the easiest goals of his career.
The Ambers then had to throw caution to the wind but just could not force a breakthrough and were always susceptible to a Barton break away, resulting in a red card for Ollie Yates as he desperately tried to halt Waudby’s advance through the middle of the park. The final nail in the coffin came deep into injury time when Barlow was on hand again to tap in after Chamalilo’s mazy run and cross.
All in all, a disappointing night that at one time promised so much, but credit to a very strong Barton side who fully deserved their victory.