Men's 1XI lose opener but competed well

League debut's were handed to new signings Jamie Carlin and Ben Everett-Li and Jon Naseby returned to 1st team league action after a couple of years out. Barton knew that their first league game after promotion would be a tough one but were confident that if they applied themselves well that they had a chance of getting something out of the game.

The game started in a cagey manner with neither side wanting to give much away to their opponents and wishing to stay as disciplined as possible in defence. Belper were fluent going forward and this resulted in the first chance of the game going to them as they won a penalty-corner but the drag-flick was well saved by Carlin low down to his right. Barton were soon on the offensive themselves with Ash Parr looking to cause the opposition defence problems and it was his work that created the chance for Barton captain Adam Foster to get the ball in the back of the net with a reverse-stick shot but the goal was ruled out due to being judged to have hit a foot in the build up. The game began to open up with Mark Latham a threat for Barton down their left but Belper were just as threatening in attack and it was only another fine save by Carlin from a penalty corner that kept the scores level. However it was 3rd time lucky for Belper as Carlin could not keep out the third penalty corner attempt from going into the bottom corner.

This saw Belper take a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval but the mood was upbeat in the Barton camp as they know if they continued to work hard in defence and attack with purpose that they had a chance of coming away with something from the game.

The second half saw 9 goals scored in what would have been a thrilling watch for the spectators. Barton drew level almost immediately after the 2nd half started with Craig Tilke applying the finishing touch to a penalty corner routine. Belper however went up the other end and were awarded a penalty flick for the ball striking skipper Foster on the leg on the line at a penalty corner after initially managing to get his stick on the ball first. Belper then grabbed a 2-goal lead as an opportunistic strike from the top of the D beat a scrambling Carlin. Barton refused to roll over and go down easily and reduced the deficit to 1 goal from a well-executed John Hickman drag-flick. The end-to-end nature of the game however saw Belper go up the other end and score a fortunate goal on the counter attack to re-establish a 2-goal lead. Once again Barton game back and this time Ash Parr proved too much for the Belper defence to handle, bundling the ball over the line from an Adam Foster cross. Belper were on the rocks and Barton pressed to draw level but this exposed them at the back and they conceded twice on the break to make it 6-3 to Belper. Barton continued to press and fine work from Tilke to dispossess the Belper defence saw him make his way into the D and feed the ball to Foster who fired a first-time finish between the keepers legs. That took the score to 6-4 to Belper and with only a minute left on the clock, Jon Naseby and Jacob Foster saw further chances go amiss and the game drew to a frantic close.

Although a loss, Barton can take much from the performance and the way in which they competed and it will hopefully stand them in good stead as the season goes on. This week sees their first home game of the Midlands Premier Division season as they host Stourport at Shobnall. 2:30pm push-back.