Barnton Win The Reusch First Division Challenge Cup
Tue 19th April 2016 | The Edward Case Cup | By Ian Templeman
Barnton lifted the Reusch First Division Challenge Trophy for the first time after a penalty shoot out victory over Hanley Town.
In an entertaining game at Congleton Town’s Richborough Estates Stadium, Barnton were behind for most of the opening 90 minutes after conceding an early own goal, but a terrific strike from Matthew Rigby brought them back level at 1-1, and took the game into extra time.
With no further scoring in the extra 30 minutes, Barnton held their nerve to convert all five penalties in the shoot out, and left Hanley with an unpalatable feeling of déjà vu, as they also lost on penalties in the final of the same competition two years ago against Formby.
This time around, the Potteries club, who have beaten Barnton home and away in the league this season, were rueing missed chances over the course of the evening that could have seen them put the game out of sight long before the end.
Hanley dominated the opening 45 minutes, and set the scene for what was to follow when they created the first chance of the game in the third minute, after Oliver Edwards was upended by Jordan Stafford on the left hand edge of the penalty area.
Matt German swung in the free kick and Josh Thorpe rose above his marker but headed narrowly wide.
But the opening goal eventually arrived on 17 minutes, albeit in slightly unconventional fashion.
A through ball released Hanley skipper Theo Stair in on goal, and there were strong appeals for a penalty when the striker collided with the onrushing Barnton keeper Richie Mottram, but the referee ruled the keeper had got a hand to the ball and awarded a corner kick.
When the corner kick came in, the ball was missed by attackers and defenders alike, rebounded off Barnton’s Jason McShane at the far post, and ended up in the back of the net.
As the half wore on, the game swung from end to end, although Hanley always looked the more threatening going forward, while the Barnton strikers struggled to break free of a well organised defence.
Just after the half hour, Hanley striker Lassana Sidibie twice came close to doubling Hanley’s advantage in the space of a minute.
First a move involving Theo Stair and Matt German led to a ball being crossed to the far post and Sidibe rose to power a header that rebounded off the crossbar with keeper Richie Mottram beaten.
The ball was cleared for a corner, and when the kick came in Sidibe got in front of his marker but somehow scooped the ball over the bar from close range.
An effort from Oliver Edwards was then saved by Mottram, before the final action of the first half took place at the other end, when a free kick from Joe Fielding just missed the target.
After the break, the pattern of the game continued in similar fashion, with Hanley always posing a threat in attack, and creating the better goalscoring opportunities.
On the hour, Barnton survived a penalty claim when Edwards went down under a challenge from keeper Mottram, and two minutes later Hanley created another opening, when Theo Stair released Sidibe down the left, and from his cross Matt German volleyed just over.
But Barnton had Mottram to thank for a wonder save at the midway point in the half, when Theo Stair’s perfectly floated free kick was met with a powerful header from Thorpe, but Mottram denied him by diving full length to push the ball away.
As the half wore on, Barnton began to enjoy a little more territory and possession, and created their first clear chance with 20 minutes remaining, when a header from Smith was gathered on the line by Hanley keeper Joe Hemmings.
But the Villagers finally drew level 13 minutes from time in spectacular style.
A long ball into the Hanley penalty area was headed out into the path of Matthew Rigby, who took a touch and rifled in a 25 yarder that ended up in the back of the net off the inside of the post.
With no further scoring, the game moved into extra time, and after the pace and intensity of the opening 90 minutes, the game slowed noticeably, with the corresponding effect on the number of goalscoring opportunities created.
The best effort of the opening period came from Barnton early on, when a header from substitute Callum Scott was well held by Hanley keeper Scott down by the post.
In the second period, Hanley almost stole it late on, when a flick on from a long clearance set Theo Stair through on goal, but his well struck shot was met by an equally good save from Mottram, who got down at his near post to push the ball to safety.
Shortly afterwards, the referee ended the game, the penalty shoot out ensued, and Barnton converted all five of their spot kicks to clinch victory and lift the trophy for the first time.
Barnton player-manager Danny Meadowcroft said: "I can't put into words how I feel, I am just really pleased that the lads took on board what we said at half time, and had a real go.
"In the first half we just didn't get going. it got to half time and I had a really good go at the players, and asked if them if they really wanted to win it.
"In the second half we had a right go, and i thought when we got our goal, i thought that was it and we had them, and would get the win.
"But although we kept going, it went to extra time and the lads tired a bit, but you have to remember lads have been working all day and then come and played two hours of football.
"I have to give credit to both teams. Both grafted, both worked hard, didn't give each other an inch and that's probably why it came down to penalties, which is always a lottery.
"It was our third penalty shoot out this season and I always fancied we would go on and win it, and I am made up that we did".
Barnton: Richie Mottram, Jordan Stafford, Joseph Fielding, Kevin Pollard (captain), Matthew Rigby, Michael Burke, Daniel Laverty (Jamie Hayes 74), Jason McShane, Chris Smith, George Webster (Callum Scott 46), Ryan Malone.
Substitutes not used: Adam Garner, Andrew Burgess, Jamie Harrison.
Hanley Town: Joe Hemmings, Curtis Evans, Ben Blowers, Joel Stair, Nathan Grice, Martin Stanyer, Matt German (Nicholas Ward 102), Josh Thorpe, Lassana Sidibie, Theo Stair (captain), Oliver Edwards (Oliver Mellor 90).
Substitutes not used: Michael Morton, Jamie Skellern, Jack Watson.
Referee: Lewis Smith
Assistants: Andrew Pownall, Phil Rigby
Fourth Official: Matthew Scholes
Attendance: 235
Photograph courtesy of John Rooney
Barnton Win The Reusch First Division Challenge Cup
Tue 19th April 2016 | The Edward Case Cup
By Ian Templeman
Barnton lifted the Reusch First Division Challenge Trophy for the first time after a penalty shoot out victory over Hanley Town.
In an entertaining game at Congleton Town’s Richborough Estates Stadium, Barnton were behind for most of the opening 90 minutes after conceding an early own goal, but a terrific strike from Matthew Rigby brought them back level at 1-1, and took the game into extra time.
With no further scoring in the extra 30 minutes, Barnton held their nerve to convert all five penalties in the shoot out, and left Hanley with an unpalatable feeling of déjà vu, as they also lost on penalties in the final of the same competition two years ago against Formby.
This time around, the Potteries club, who have beaten Barnton home and away in the league this season, were rueing missed chances over the course of the evening that could have seen them put the game out of sight long before the end.
Hanley dominated the opening 45 minutes, and set the scene for what was to follow when they created the first chance of the game in the third minute, after Oliver Edwards was upended by Jordan Stafford on the left hand edge of the penalty area.
Matt German swung in the free kick and Josh Thorpe rose above his marker but headed narrowly wide.
But the opening goal eventually arrived on 17 minutes, albeit in slightly unconventional fashion.
A through ball released Hanley skipper Theo Stair in on goal, and there were strong appeals for a penalty when the striker collided with the onrushing Barnton keeper Richie Mottram, but the referee ruled the keeper had got a hand to the ball and awarded a corner kick.
When the corner kick came in, the ball was missed by attackers and defenders alike, rebounded off Barnton’s Jason McShane at the far post, and ended up in the back of the net.
As the half wore on, the game swung from end to end, although Hanley always looked the more threatening going forward, while the Barnton strikers struggled to break free of a well organised defence.
Just after the half hour, Hanley striker Lassana Sidibie twice came close to doubling Hanley’s advantage in the space of a minute.
First a move involving Theo Stair and Matt German led to a ball being crossed to the far post and Sidibe rose to power a header that rebounded off the crossbar with keeper Richie Mottram beaten.
The ball was cleared for a corner, and when the kick came in Sidibe got in front of his marker but somehow scooped the ball over the bar from close range.
An effort from Oliver Edwards was then saved by Mottram, before the final action of the first half took place at the other end, when a free kick from Joe Fielding just missed the target.
After the break, the pattern of the game continued in similar fashion, with Hanley always posing a threat in attack, and creating the better goalscoring opportunities.
On the hour, Barnton survived a penalty claim when Edwards went down under a challenge from keeper Mottram, and two minutes later Hanley created another opening, when Theo Stair released Sidibe down the left, and from his cross Matt German volleyed just over.
But Barnton had Mottram to thank for a wonder save at the midway point in the half, when Theo Stair’s perfectly floated free kick was met with a powerful header from Thorpe, but Mottram denied him by diving full length to push the ball away.
As the half wore on, Barnton began to enjoy a little more territory and possession, and created their first clear chance with 20 minutes remaining, when a header from Smith was gathered on the line by Hanley keeper Joe Hemmings.
But the Villagers finally drew level 13 minutes from time in spectacular style.
A long ball into the Hanley penalty area was headed out into the path of Matthew Rigby, who took a touch and rifled in a 25 yarder that ended up in the back of the net off the inside of the post.
With no further scoring, the game moved into extra time, and after the pace and intensity of the opening 90 minutes, the game slowed noticeably, with the corresponding effect on the number of goalscoring opportunities created.
The best effort of the opening period came from Barnton early on, when a header from substitute Callum Scott was well held by Hanley keeper Scott down by the post.
In the second period, Hanley almost stole it late on, when a flick on from a long clearance set Theo Stair through on goal, but his well struck shot was met by an equally good save from Mottram, who got down at his near post to push the ball to safety.
Shortly afterwards, the referee ended the game, the penalty shoot out ensued, and Barnton converted all five of their spot kicks to clinch victory and lift the trophy for the first time.
Barnton player-manager Danny Meadowcroft said: "I can't put into words how I feel, I am just really pleased that the lads took on board what we said at half time, and had a real go.
"In the first half we just didn't get going. it got to half time and I had a really good go at the players, and asked if them if they really wanted to win it.
"In the second half we had a right go, and i thought when we got our goal, i thought that was it and we had them, and would get the win.
"But although we kept going, it went to extra time and the lads tired a bit, but you have to remember lads have been working all day and then come and played two hours of football.
"I have to give credit to both teams. Both grafted, both worked hard, didn't give each other an inch and that's probably why it came down to penalties, which is always a lottery.
"It was our third penalty shoot out this season and I always fancied we would go on and win it, and I am made up that we did".
Barnton: Richie Mottram, Jordan Stafford, Joseph Fielding, Kevin Pollard (captain), Matthew Rigby, Michael Burke, Daniel Laverty (Jamie Hayes 74), Jason McShane, Chris Smith, George Webster (Callum Scott 46), Ryan Malone.
Substitutes not used: Adam Garner, Andrew Burgess, Jamie Harrison.
Hanley Town: Joe Hemmings, Curtis Evans, Ben Blowers, Joel Stair, Nathan Grice, Martin Stanyer, Matt German (Nicholas Ward 102), Josh Thorpe, Lassana Sidibie, Theo Stair (captain), Oliver Edwards (Oliver Mellor 90).
Substitutes not used: Michael Morton, Jamie Skellern, Jack Watson.
Referee: Lewis Smith
Assistants: Andrew Pownall, Phil Rigby
Fourth Official: Matthew Scholes
Attendance: 235
Photograph courtesy of John Rooney
