Barlow bridges gap

Barton Town 3 Worsbrough Bridge 0

A GARETH Barlow brace helped Barton Town pick up all three points against visitors Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

The Old Boys welcomed back five players following the lifting of their transfer embargo with Westella & Willerby AFC.

After a tentative start, it was Barton's Lee Shilleto who came closest to breaking the deadlock, heading goal-wards, but the ball looped past the upright.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute. Another good turn by Matty Fyvie gave him time and space to square the ball to Barlow, who flicked it home with the outside of his boot.

Three minutes later, it was almost two, full-back Chris Garth making up yardage to get onto Ryan Morton's free-kick, only to head wide.

After Fyvie had seen his effort from the edge of the area go inches the wrong side of the post, Barton doubled their lead in the 38th minute.

Barlow, criminally unmarked, picked up a Dave Gordon through-ball to stroke home.

And on the stroke of half-time, Garth almost opened his account but, in falling, succeeded only in poking the ball at the keeper.

The second half opened with Town intent on finishing the game off, although it was Bridge's Matty Roberts who went closest, firing into the side-netting.

Fyvie then had a goal chalked off, the ball having run fractionally out of play before Barlow squared it to his strike partner.

Just when it seemed Barton would have to be content with the two goals, up popped Shilleto in the 88th minute, following up after Kallum Radley's header from Garth's deep free-kick was only parried.

Town will be content to have picked up the three points on offer with a clean sheet and, more particularly, giving the returning players their first competitive outing in five weeks.

League leaders Brighouse Town are the visitors to the Euronics Ground next Saturday.

Before that, Town's Under-19s are at home to their league leaders, Wakefield FC, in the Northern Alliance League on Thursday (7.45pm).