Barton Stacey U13   9    Ludwig Leisure Cavaliers U13    2

After the travail of Barton’s previous two “six pointers” against the two teams at the top of the table, it was with relative relief that they approached this tie against Ludwig Leisure.  Placed near the foot of Division 1, they had given Barton Stacey a scare earlier in the season in a 5-5 draw on a pitch sick with rust that made your feet go orange.  

Heavy rain throughout the preceding week had turned the Barton Stacey going from good to soft.  Barton’s recent form made them strong favourites, Ludwig a long shot and short of a run, not having played since mid December. 

In welcome bright sunshine Ludwig kicked off, and after a brief period of parity fell behind to a Nick Bearpark goal.  William de Cani added a second and Michael Taplin a third as Barton Stacey played some superb football.  Alex Coetzee and Danny Tuson both shot narrowly wide from outside the box before the ref called time on a first half in which Barton keeper Ollie Richards had touched the ball once. 

A rejuvenated Charles Sherwood came on in the second half to score a superb fifteen minute hat trick, Michael Taplin took his total for the match to four, and Danny Tuson got on the score sheet albeit at the wrong end, as Barton Stacey cruised to victory; a spirited Ludwig Leisure scoring a second goal shortly before the close. 

An accomplished performance from Barton Stacey in which every player contributed; Sam Hadlington, Luke Bacon and James Brooke superb in midfield, Full backs Danny Tuson and Harry Lawton magnificent, another flawless display from Dan Pomroy, Captain Coetzee at his majestic best, and the cover on the bench from Connor Jones, Sam Burrows and Daniel Ronan bringing fresh impetus to Barton’s cause at critical junctures of the game. 

Three points to Barton Stacey who return to third place in Division 1.