New Barton Town Old Boys midfielder Rikki Paylor in possession
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Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Barton Town Old Boys fought Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity to the death at the Euronics Stadium last night.
The Toolstation NCEL Premier Division runners-up were beaten 2-1, but were only outdone by two excellent strikes from Grant Roberts and Connor Johnson for Trinity.
Barton themselves scored via a strike of epic proportion from Joel Sutton, the striker recently signed from Bridlington, on the half hour mark.
Barton manager Dave Anderson: “There were lots of positives.
“We won’t come across teams like that and it’s better than training. Gainsborough are at a good standard.
“Their movement was very good and we kept our shape. We made six changes at half-time and I’m more than satisfied.
“It was better than playing teams below us. The shape was really good and I was really pleased. We will take it forward to the first game of the season.
“I’m more than happy. Joel Sutton’s goal was terrific and to be fair their second goal was a good one.
“From our point of view it was a good night all round and we just have to move on. We’re looking in a lot better shape than where we were this time last year.
“We felt last year that we started very poorly and that cost us winning the league eventually.”
Action from Barton Town Old Boys 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
Barton missed out on the title by eight points to Brighouse Town and Anderson has spent the summer improving his squad.
Rikki Paylor and Sutton have moved across East Yorkshire and over the Humber Bridge from Bridlington, while Josh Batty has also arrived.
The trio all featured in the match against Trinity, a side three leagues higher.
Barton were unfortunate to go a goal down in the 17th minute. Roberts’ ambitious strike from 25 yards took a wicked deflection off Paylor and the ball looped into the top corner as goalkeeper Ben White tried in vain to reach for it.
Barton soon responded. Predatory striker Sutton created space for himself 30 yards from goal. The Gainsborough defence backed off and Sutton took full advantage by unleashing an effort that flew into the top right-hand corner of the net.
Within 30 seconds, White was forced into making a fabulous save from a powerful Nathan Plumtree header to ensure that parity remained going into half-time.
Action from Barton Town Old Boys 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
The home side started the second half really well and Brad Ricketts went close.
But, then out of nothing, Johnson carved a small opening from just outside the Barton penalty area. Johnson struck low and White will have been unsighted as the ball landed in the bottom corner.
Comedy capers from the Gainsborough defence almost allowed Gareth Owen to grab an equaliser for Barton.
Goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite managed to rescue his team and 2-1 was how the scores remained.
Barton Town Old Boys: White, Ricketts, Gowen, Belcher, Dexter (captain), Paylor, Lattimore, Kirk, Barlow, Sutton, Smith. Subs: Shipman, Gill, Cooper, Owen, Batty.
Gainsborough Trinity: Musselwhite, Meade, Grayson, Roberts, Martin, Salt, Dickens, Binns, Karkach, Plumtree, Davie (captain). Subs: Johnson.
Referee: Neil Guest
Attendance: 84