MATCH DETAILS
Barton Town 2-1 Silsden AFC
NCEL Premier Division
Tuesday 23rd April 2024
Easy Buy Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Rabone, Hunt (Kilner, 82′), Stewart (Gardner, 62′), Cromack, Cassidy, Clayton, Hudson (Connolly, 64′), Maltby, Price, Thompson (Roper, 71′), Brooksbank (Smith, 65′)
MATCH REPORT
Our 23/24 league campaign ended in a 2-1 defeat to Barton Town at the Easy Buy Stadium yesterday evening.
Despite creating the better chances in the first half, we found ourselves behind following Reece Moody’s close range finish.
Although the second half continued in a similar fashion, the hosts doubled their lead late on through Kian Salter meaning Kayle Price’s powerful freekick proved to be little more than a consolation.
The result sees us end the season on a club NCEL record of 58 points, we currently sit 9th (another club record high) but could drop to 10th should results go against us in the coming days.
Ellis Hudson started the game particularly brightly, cutting in from the right hand side on multiple occasions but seeing efforts both saved by the keeper and sailing over the crossbar.
Barton then came close from a corner on 22 minutes, WYL graduate Danny Hunt with some great defending to head clear of the goal line.
Their breakthrough would come just five minutes later as Scott Matthew’s pinpoint cross found Moody unmarked at the back post, with the striker firing home from close-in.
Swan’s keeper Will Mitchell was called into action on a number of occasions throughout the opening 45 minutes, first saving Hudson’s powerful freekick before getting down quickly to parry away Hunt’s deflected strike from distance.
The second half continued in the same vein, Cody Cromack next to test Mitchell with a fierce long-range strike.
Price would have the best chance to level the game on 69 minutes, a deflection saw him find himself 1v1 with Mitchell, but he opted for power and fired his shot narrowly wide of the post.
Dan Smith also had a chance late on, driving into the penalty area with a great run, his shot at the near post was once again saved by Mitchell.
Having not taken our chances at one end, our hosts punished us as a cross to the back stick was met by Salter with a diving header to double their advantage.
With just minutes to go, Price would find the net with a powerful low freekick but despite our best efforts we were unable to find a late leveller leaving us to make the long trip back to West Yorkshire disappointed.
The season isn’t over yet as we make the trip to NCEL Division One frontrunners Parkgate for the league cup quarter final this Saturday.
