After 3 loses on the bounce a number of the tabloid newspapers were calling for the head of manager Stevens in the week - rumours that he had 'lost the dressing room' were circling especially after the defeat against Brize Norton last week in a game Barton really should have won.

Stevens made changes to the personnel and formation again, hoping that he would find the magic formula to resurrect Bartons fortunes. Barton were to line up in a more traditional 4-4-2 formation and were this week without the influential Tony Bott and semi camouflaged Nick Acock.

The game started with Barton getting a strong foothold in the game and it was starting to look like the formation was going to be a successful one, however in what seems to be a similar story this season, when Barton were controlling the game, they conceded. A long ball through the defence saw Steeple Astons number 9 beat the Barton defence for pace before finishing past the deserted Phillips.

There was no need for panic though, Barton had shown enough in the opening minutes to prove that there would be chances to get back in the game and so it proved. Just a few minutes after going behind, a superb free kick delivered by the returning Nick Higgs was met at the far post by the big forehead of John Umney - the striker had little to do but make a decent connection....and thats all he did. Barton back on level terms almost immediately.

Chances were coming thick and fast for Barton and when Umney released Jack Morgan inside the area it looked like Morgan would open his account for the club only for the winger to swing his foot into thin air and miss the ball completely. Jack Eley also had a chance when put through 1 on 1 with the keeper, only to see his shot well saved by the obnoxious idiot in the sticks.

Barton would soon be in front though and after some great work by Jake Freeman in the box, saw him tackled and fouled. It may have been slightly soft of a decision but it was deserved from the work Freeman put in to get the opportunity. Penalty taker John Umney stepped up to take the spot kick and easily sent the goal keeper the wrong way to give Barton the lead for the first time in the tie.

The lead wasnt to last too long though and after another breakaway spearheaded by the pacy number 9, the striker struck from 20 yards into the top corner leaving Phillips with no chance at all.

But back came Barton again and after Umney had turned his marker his left foot cross was diverted past the goalkeeper by his own defender, just before the predatory Eley got on the end of the pass.

Then, just before half time Barton further extended their lead when a cross from Hunt fell into the path of Umney - such was the confidence of the man, that he didnt take a touch to control, just simply sidefooted the volley into the opposite top corner leaving the goalkeeper with no chance at all - a hat trick for Umney in the first half - you could say he was the difference between the 2 sides.....

Half time - Steeple Aston 2 - 4 Middle Barton

The second half was again end of end with chances for both sides, however only 1 goal was scored and that was from Steeple Aston after a break away down the left hand side.

Barton defended brilliantly throughout, with the Kay brothers proving a tough nut to crack in the back 4 and the Fowler cousins ensuring that Steeple werent able to make headway down the wings.

Paul Kay picked up a booking mid way through the second half for a late challenge on a Steeple Astons forward - obviously putting the team before anything else, Paul will have pay £10 for his troubles, and we will never know where that attack would of gone.....

There was also nearly a first goal for Luke Cornforth towards the end of the game when he collected a ball 25 yards out and cut inside of his marker to unleash a fierce drive that flew just wide of the goalkeepers far post. Luke has made some encouraging substitute appearances this season in his debut season in Senior football and we can see him getting more and more confident as the games go on.

A good cup win for Barton and one that hopefully breathes confidence back into the team going into our next fixture with Ascot in 2 weeks time.

It was also nice to see manager Ash Stevens with a smile on his face after the game. He had recently received the dreaded vote of confidence from the Chairman, but getting back to winning ways will put all rumours of a dressing room divide and potential new manager rumours to bed once and for all.