Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Barton Town 1-2 Hall Road Rangers
Hall Road celebrate Sam Belcher’s wonder goal. Picture: Lee Myers
A Sam Belcher wonder-goal against his former club was enough to see Hall Road Rangers take the points in the Humber derby at Barton Town.
Rangers had fallen behind to Gary Bradshaw’s deft chip on eleven minutes against the run of play but a Chris Spinks penalty levelled things up just shy of the half hour mark after Danny Norton was hauled down in the penalty area.
It was then Belcher’s 54th minute strike which proved the decisive moment for Dave Ricardo’s side.
The win sees Hall Road continue their bright start since promotion last term and extend their early season unbeaten run to four matches, and start a busy September with a maximum point haul.
Hall Road welcomed back Chris Spinks, Conner Harman and Jack Binns who missed last weekend’s home win over Harrogate Railway.
Rangers settled the quicker with two efforts on goal before the hosts took the lead on eleven minute.
Former North Ferriby striker Bradshaw, finished cooly as he lofted the ball over Rangers keeper Phil Dobson despite a huge hint of offside to the goal.
The visitors always looked likely to score and when Danny Norton was pulled back with the goal at his mercy the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot on 29 minutes.
Last season’s top scorer Spinks, cooly slotted home his third goal of this campaign to deservedly bring the NCEL Division One champions level.
With the scores level at the break the hosts battled well but aside from the goal failed to carve open their visitors rearguard.
It was then centre half, Belcher who notched the winner with a superb curling effort nine minutes into the second half, bursting through the centre before from 25 yards unleashing an unstoppable effort into the corner.
Rangers had opportunities to further their lead, a Harman glancing header narrowly missed the far post whilst Norton also went close.
The hosts ensured a nervy finale but their best opportunity came when a fizzing cross from the left evaded Paul Foot who could not connect.