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10th February 2008
Barton Stacey 0 Chestnut Savin 3
Chestnut Savin, placed third in division 1, the form side from the previous season and with ex Barton and Andover FC striker Chris Bernsten one of the top sides of this season; results in the league this year belied the quality of their play.
Barry Purdue fielded one of his strongest sides of the year so far, and in a high class first half, both sides cancelled each other out: the score level at half time.
With the pitch starting to cut up, and the likelihood that the game would be lost through mistakes, rather than won through a chance created, fitness would become a major factor. In the 65th minute and for the second game in succession Barton conceded a penalty, The Chestnut striker racing into the box to be brought down by last man Rhys Betteridge. Keeper Scott Tarrant unlucky not to save the low struck penalty, with his fish-like dive to the left.
Barton responded magnificently, and were unlucky not to equalise within minutes when an Alex Iddles shot hit the bar, Dan de Heaume heading the rebound back against the bar, Chestnut eventually clearing the ball to safety.
As the game took a feisty turn, Chestnut full back “Rodders” was lucky to remain on the pitch, following a succession of crude challenges it was less “Only Fools and Horses” and more “Only Fouls and Grouses” eventually receiving the yellow card for his lunge at Barton’s Luke Tiller.
As Barton’s legs faded a spent Gary Nowel was removed from the fray to be replaced by the evergreen Chris Dewey. Barton’s shattered back line conceding two goals late in the game to lend a distorted look to the scoreline.
A sound performance from Barton Stacey against one of the best Sunday sides around. The two Dans, Knott and De Heaume ran miles. The Peter Pan of the midfield Wayne Turpin competed superbly throughout the game with boys half his age. Not a minute passed without Gary Nowel demanding the ball, while the impressive Guy Wilkinson and Rhys Betteridge faced up to one of the slickest Sunday striking partnerships in the league. No points for Barton but a performance to build on as they seek to secure their place in division 1 for next season.
