Ambers back on the winning trail

Jon Froggatt was rested for the midweek visit to Bottesford Town, and with Jamie Green missing through injury, Joe Thornton and Danny Buttle were drafted in to the side, while there was a welcome return to action for Simon Harrison who started on the bench.
It was the home side who started the better, belying their indifferent form so far this season, and a couple of half chances were spurned before the Ambers took the lead out of nowhere. A quick throw found Richard Tootle in space and the right back whipped in a beauty, Aaron Moxam getting the deftest of touches to direct it past the keeper and in.
Within two minutes, the striker raced through a static Town defence and ought to have converted, but credit should be given to keeper Douglas who blocked the first shot before being helped out by a covering defender who kept out the follow up as Thornton closed in.
A cross cum shot from Spall had Chris Butt back-pedalling before it landed on top of the goal and some excellent build up play down the left involving Will Eades and Buttle created a great opportunity for Thornton, but his first time drive was superbly saved by Douglas who flung himself across his line. The keeper excelled again when a long range free kick from Micky Harcourt looked destined for the bottom corner but was beaten out. However from the resultant throw in, Ozzy Radford’s long delivery was met by Jon Hill who headed home his third goal of the season.
To their credit, the home side did not lie down and they started to build some pressure of their own and had a penalty appeal turned down when Butt came charging off his line and dived at the feet of his opponent, the ball deflecting away for a corner. The Ambers continued to live dangerously and were indebted to a vigilant Tootle who made a last ditch clearance as the ball bobbled towards the goal line.
As half time approached, Steve Istead threaded a ball through to Moxam who raced clear of the Bottesford back four, and the striker calmly slotted home his second despite the appeals of the home side.
With a 3-0 half time lead, The Ambers looked forward to a comfortable second half, but the introduction of Gareth Barlow cast a shadow on things as the experienced striker gave Town a spearhead and galvanised their play, as he has done many times over the years in a Barton Town shirt.
Both sides traded chances as the half began before an excellent long range strike from Leonard beat Butt to reduce the arrears, and this was just the impetus Town needed to see a route back into the game. As pressure mounted on The Ambers, it was all hands to the pump to keep Town at bay, and fresh legs were introduced in the shape of Harrison, Froggatt and Brad Nicholson, making his first Ambers appearance in over a year.
However, with five minutes left, a cheeky backheel from Bridge found the corner of the net and it was squeaky bum time for the visitors until a sublime piece of injury time skill by Froggatt sent the striker through. With everyone expecting him to take the ball into the corner, that thought never entered Froggy’s head and he expertly placed his shot beyond the despairing Douglas to seal the points and calm the nerves.
Whilst the victory moved The Ambers back into the top five, the performance that the hosts produced in the second half should soon mean that their current flirtation with the relegation zone is a short lived one.

HE Barnes Man of The Match – Aaron Moxam