Bawtry Town 2-4 Worsbrough Bridge Athletic Reserves

County Senior League Second Division, Saturday 8^th February 2014

Bawtry Town’s promotion ambitions were dealt a blow losing 4-2 to Worsbrough Bridge in windy conditions in Doncaster, a game which Bawtry led 2-0.

The hosts got off to a superb start. Athletic’s Sam Joyce was dispossessed by Jermaine Green, who chipped the goalkeeper, John Daniels, from the resulting one-on-one.

Joyce Jones then doubled the lead with a stunning free-kick from the left hand side of the D.

However, Worsbrough were gifted a route back into the game when a weak pass amongst the Bawtry defenders was picked up by Tom Peace inside the area, who slotted calmly into the bottom left corner.

The equaliser was secured with Jed Phillips run from deep before spotting the goalkeeper off his line and chipping into the bottom right corner, a cruel blow to Bawtry on the stroke of half time.

The turnaround was complete by Dean Sidebottom, who latched onto the end of Adam Thorpe’s throw ball. He rounded the defender and found the corner for 3-2.

The icing on the cake was sealed with Pearce’s free-kick flying into the top right corner with fifteen minutes remaining.

The result lifts Worsbrough above Kiveton Park and five points above bottom-placed Frecheville Reserves. Bawtry Town remain in the third automatic promotion place but AFC Dronfield have reduced their lead to two points.

Jermaine Green’s opener came when he muscled Sam Joyce off the ball before lobbing the keeper and sending the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to Bawtry.

Athletic’s Adam Thorpe then came close when he was put through one-on-one, but sent his shot wide of the target.

Tom Peace had his own one-on-one a moment later intercepting captain Leigh Wells pass, but too sent wide. For Bawtry, Sam Weston’s long range effort failed to challenge Daniels.

Soon after Joyce Jones’ fantastic free-kick flew into the net to send the hosts 2-0 up. Bawtry were surely over the line?

Worsbrough though refused to give up. Tom Peace took advantage of sloppy defending at the back, before finding the corner of the goal on 39 minutes.

Bawtry had opportunities to extend their lead. Takrem Shah beat the offside trap but rushed the shot over the bar.

But Bawtry’s miss turned to haunt them as on the stroke of half time Worsbrough were level. Athletic’s Jed Phillips with the excellent run before chipping the keeper to finish.

Their comeback had given the visitors the edge and from then on they created the majority of the chances. Adam Thorpe, Daniel Foster and Jed Phillips all failed to hit the target with efforts from outside the box.

At the opposite end of the field Bawtry almost retook the lead, but John Daniels was forced into action to parry Shah’s shot wide.

However once more they were forced to rue the miss. Dean Sidebottom dribbled beyond Steven Minshall and finished with precision. 3-2.

Adam Thorpe was denied by Gary Hudson as the visitors pushed to end the contest.

Still Worsbrough pressed; Adam Barker was played through on the overlap, but the goalkeeper made another good save. Within two minutes Hudson was again forced to deny Phillips’ free-kick.

Bawtry’s final chance of an equaliser came in the 64^th minute. Shah cut in from the right, but his shot was straight at Daniels.

But from then on there was only one likely winner. Sidebottom shot over from range with Phillips and Peace also missing the target before the game’s climax. 

However the game was put beyond doubt with five minutes remaining. Peace’s stunning free-kick, from a similar position to Bawtry’s in the early stages, finalising a 4-2 victory.

The defeat was Bawtry’s first since November, but they are still well placed in their promotion push.

Bawtry Town Team: Gary Hudson, Alex Hickey, Simon Minshall, Steven Minshall, Leigh Wells, Jermaine Green, Josh Blenkiron, Joyce Jones, Takrem Shah, Daniel Harper, Sam Weston. Substitutes: Phil Colton, Alex Wharton, Marco Battaglia, Ben Gillatt.

Worsbrough Bridge Athletic Reserves Team: John Daniels, Adam Barker, Sam Joyce, Matt Savage, Josh Evans, Mark Fitzpatrick, Daniel Foster, Jed Phillips, Adam Thorpe, Dean Sidebottom, Tom Pearce. Substitutes: Liam Price, Sam Keen, Jack Jones, Rob Peace.