Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley 2-0 Swallownest Miners Welfare

Saturday 4^th May 2013, County Senior League Premier Division

Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley extended their unbeaten run to twenty seven league matches, as they completed the County Senior League Premier Division season with an unbeaten home record which was accomplished with victory over Swallownest Miners Welfare.

In a tight game where the league champions were restricted to few clear-cut chances, the match was won with late goals from Jack Steers and substitute Danny Frost in the final ten minutes.

 With both sides defensively-sound for most of the game, it took until eight minutes from full-time before the deadlock was broken. Danny Barlow’s corner was deflected to the feet of Steers who blasted the ball home from close range from within the crowded penalty area.

In stoppage time, when Swallownest targeted an equaliser, they were hit on the counter attack. Frost broke clear of the Welfare defence, who appealed desperately for offside, as the striker stroked his low shot into the bottom corner to seal the win.

Between goals, Aqua Force were also denied by the woodwork. John Dowle opted to shoot from a tight-angle when he found himself isolated in the box, but the post denied the substitute a place on the score sheet.

Buoyant from salvaging a late draw at home to Frecheville last week, Swallownest started brightly. Richard Williams’ cross was met by Andy Jones whose glancing header skimmed wide of the right-hand post in the tenth minute.

At the other end Danny Barlow’s turn-and-shot on the edge of the box was sent high and wide. Moments later Welfare’s Jones sent a shot wide of the right-hand post.

Shaw Lane’s Carl Fothergill showed promise with his run midway through the first half. He sprinted to the by-line with a run from deep, but his shot from a tight angle was caught by the goalkeeper. This was before Luke Danville’s header looked destined for the top corner, but Swallownest’s Andrew Naylor somehow got his fingertips to the ball to keep it out.

Shaw Lane goalkeeper Josh Herring didn’t need the same acrobatics when Daniel Payne and Michael Briggs sent efforts a long way over the crossbar. However he was required to be at his best for Mark Jones’ low, long-range shot, which was heading towards the bottom left hand corner before the stopper tipped it round the post.

Fothergill showed good understanding with teammate Rob Oldham when the pair played a neat one-two, before the formers shot drifted just wide, as half-time drew close. Before Daniel Payne’s effort was caught by Herring to ensure the half ended goalless.

The half-time team talk inspired Aqua Force almost from the first instance. Danny Barlow showed skill to weave past Daniel Archbold, but Naylor was off his line sharply to narrow the angle and make the save.

Welfare would have kicked themselves for not opening the scoring, however. A swift counter-attack saw David Sills, Richard Williams and Michael Briggs outnumber the champions’ defence 3-on-2. But despite neat interplay between the three the opportunity was not taken. Briggs’ shot was parried by the alert Herring, before the keeper showed off fine reflexes to deny Sills’ follow-up.

The strong wind certainly played its part in the fixture. None more so as when John Dowle’s corner almost curled directly into the net. Thankfully the Miners’ defence were relieved to see it go wide of the far post. This was soon followed by Danny Barlow’s powerful shot being cleared off the by Danny Archbold as Force looked to end the season with yet another victory.

Swallownest continued to create chances and for a significant period of time looked the most likely to score in the second half. Tom Crosby’s long-range effort was caught by the keeper and David Sills’ shot was deflected wide.

With twenty minutes remaining Michael Briggs troubled the goalkeeper when striking a half-volley on target, before Andy Jones’ effort was parried by Herring from long-range. Michael Wade sent an effort just wide, as luck wasn’t on Swallownest’s side.

And so it proved as Danny Barlow’s corner ended at the feet of Jack Steers resulting in Shaw Lane finally breaking the deadlock with eight minutes to spare, as the defender blasted an unstoppable shot beyond the Welfare goalkeeper.

This put the league leaders into the driving seat and minutes later John Dowle found himself with the ball in the box, albeit at a tight angle; his effort came close to doubling the lead as the shot shook the near-post.

Substitute Danny Frost however sealed victory, when his superb run beat the offside trap. He slotted a tidy finish into the bottom-left corner to complete the scoring, as Aqau Force ran out 2-0 winners.

Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley Team: Josh Herring, Richard Lavery, Duane Grace, Richard Morris, Rob Oldham, Jack Steers, James Young, Matt Moore, Carl Fothergill, Luke Danville, Danny Barlow. Substitutes: John Dowle, Conrad Baranyai, Danny Frost, Josh Wright

Swallownest Miners Welfar Team: Andrew Naylor, Daniel Archbold, Ross Edwards, Tom Crosby, Kieran Hemming, Michael Wade, Michael Briggs, Richard Williams, Andy Jones, Daniel Payne, Mark Jones. Substitutes: David Sills, Jack Hutch