Barwell 1 Frickley Athletic 1

Report by Merv Nash

Barwell welcomed back loan signing Connor Gudger and new loanee James Hogarth-Wren in goal together with new signing Joe Halsall in midfield. However, moving in the other direction was Danny Newton who left to pursue pastures new at Brackley Town.

In a match that was dominated by the weather, torrential rain, thunder and lightning, Barwell ended their five game losing run with a draw after an entertaining 90 minutes. The "Canaries" deserved to win the game after controlling the second period, but paid the penalty for missing chances when a battling Frickley side levelled matters on 93 minutes, a real sickener for the hosts.

With the wind in their faces first half Barwell contained their visitors well, Frickley's main threat came from keeper Tom Woodhead who kept launching long kicks into the Barwell penalty area.

The nearest to a goal came when Barwell's Kieron Brehon drove narrowly over the bar as forked lightning lit up Kirkby Road.

In the 38th minute one such bolt of lightning fused all the floodlights causing the game to be held up for 15 minutes whilst work was being carried out for repairs.

Six minutes into the second half Barwell broke the deadlock, a long free kick taken by Jamie Hood found Danny Spencer in the clear bearing down on goal, keeping his head he drove the ball wide of Woodhead.

Barwell were well on top at this stage, Tom Weale had a lob go just over the bar and Spencer almost scored his second goal his effort being cleared off the line by Joe Wilcox.

Frickley came close when Gavin Allcott struck a fierce free kick in the worsening conditions, but new loan signing Barwell keeper James Wren got down well by his near post to push it aside.

With five minutes left Barwell substitute Leighton Simmonds had the best chance of the match to make it two nil, outpacing defender Sam Denton he faced keeper Woodhead to beat but put his shot wide.

This proved costly as Frickley got their point-saver with virtually the last kick of the game, Barwell failed to clear their lines in a crowded penalty area, the ball rebounded to substitute Oliver Fearon who blasted a drive into the bottom corner of the net giving Wren no chance of saving.

Team: James Hogarth-Wren, Jack Edwards, Connor Gudger, Guy Hadland, Jamie Hood, Joe Halsall (Eliot Putman 85) , Kieron Brehon, Scott Hadland, Luke Barlone (Leighton Simmonds 72), Danny Spencer, Tom Weale.
Subs not used: Mark Albrighton, Nigel Julien, Dave Barnett

Goal: Spencer 51 (assist Hood)

Yellow Cards: Barlone 49, G Hadland 68

Attendance: 107

MIRA Man of the Match: Kieron Brehon