Barwell boss setting eyes on season run-in
THE Canaries played out a 1-1 draw with fellow play-off contenders Ashton United on Saturday afternoon.
Barwell came close on eight minutes, when Matt Stenson’s shot was blocked after a flick-on from Declan Towers. The hosts maintained pressure in the box but Ashton did well to clear their lines, writes Luke Pawley.
After a slow start with little to report in the way of chances, a flying run from Jake Whitmore down the Barwell right saw him put a dangerous cross in, but Brady Hickey couldn’t convert from close range.
Ashton had their own chances, through Matthew Chadwick and John Pritchard, but neither could trouble goalkeeper Liam Castle.
The hosts broke the deadlock on 32 minutes when former Newport striker Craig Reid placed the ball beautifully beyond Dave Carnell.
Just five minutes later, Ashton drew the game back level when Daniel Mooney fired home from close range to sent the teams in level.
Both sustained spells of pressure in the second half. The hosts looked like they’d come closest to a winner, only to be denied by some astute defending from Aaron Chalmers.
Ashton’s best chance of the second half came when substitute Jamie Hinchcliffe shot over the bar with fifteen to play, under pressure from the outstanding Jake Whitmore.
Five minutes from time, Barwell thought they’d won it as Mitch Piggon curled a shot onto the bar.
Following the match, Barwell manager Jimmy Ginnelly said: “Very even game between two sides sitting in the top seven.
“Both teams didn’t want to give a lot away.
“Ashton, in the first half, probably thought they could come here and win.
“Once they got to half time, they probably thought to do the other side of the maths and don’t lose to Barwell.
“I think they’ve done a good job to keep the gap there between us. I definitely thought we could have won the game.
“All the games are tough now. I only look after my dugout and my team.
“I think we could have won that game today.
“Ashton are one of the top sides in the league.
“If I think we can win that game, why can’t we win all of the games?
“We’ll just give it our best shot and see if we can win all of the remaining games. “Workington is always tough. “They come here every year and win 2-0 at a canter.
“I don’t think that will be the case next week.
“I think we’ll put a tough show on for them next week and hopefully come out on top.”