Louis Kirk celebrates putting Barton Town Old Boys ahead in the 3-0 win over Nostell
Barton Town Old Boys successfully got off the mark with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nostell Miners Welfare at the Euronics Stadium.
Louis Kirk’s first half goal set the wheels in motion and Barton added the extras with Danny Chambers and Scott Phillips scoring after the interval.
Barton lost to Thackley on Saturday for the second consecutive year on the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division first day, but have at least avoided a repeat of last season when they lost all four of their opening matches.
Nostell were hoping to conjure up another superb result to back the curtain-raiser win at title hopefuls Cleethorpes Town.
Paul Lines’ men defended well for the second game running, but his injury-hit side lacked teeth going forward and failed to properly the Barton defence.
Their ball retention was also poor and that allowed their hosts to dominate possession.
Apart from the odd break, Nostell found themselves camped inside their own half for the majority of the first 45 minutes.
The pressure was mounting for some time before the deadlock was broken close to half-time. The visitors had escaped a goal-mouth scramble which saw Barton hit the post.
Eventually a gap emerged and Kirk was able to round goalkeeper Ben Saynor and open his account for the season.
Louis Kirk drives Barton forward
Nostell’s Blaine Kellett makes a superb goal-preventing block
Although Nostell did have cause to complain about a foul in the build-up to Barton’s second goal on the hour mark, the inevitable game-killer was always coming.
Nostell captain Max Elliott was fouled deep in Barton’s half, but the referee gave a poor advantage and the home side won the ball back quickly.
By then Nostell’s defensive organisation had been lost and former Ossett Town striker Danny Chambers was sent clear and he scored with a composed finish.
Barton’s key man Phillips broke his duck for the season with a header from a corner to put the icing on the cake for Dave Anderson and his side.
Barton Town Old Boys: Drury, Fisher, Gowen (Dexter 71), Belcher, Barlow (captain), Ricketts, Norton (Hartley 83), Kirk, Phillips, Chambers (Norfolk 77), Owen. Subs unused: Stevens, Donald.
Nostell Miners Welfare: Saynor, Johnson (Lee 75), Allsop, Elliott, Donoghue, Kellett, Mhlolo, Ball (Thompson 64), Henderson (Poole 34), Wales, Turner. Subs unused: Marsh, Roberts.
Referee: Darren Whatling
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 110
Man of the match: Louis Kirk (Barton Town Old Boys)
Look out for more photos from Barton Town Old Boys’ 3-0 victory over Nostell later on today on our Facebook page.