Stephens grabs a hat-trick as Barwell win on the road
PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER
DIVISION CENTRAL ST IVES TOWN 1 BARWELL 3 BEN Stephens had plenty of goals in his tank as he hit a hat-trick in Cambridgeshire on a very wet evening. The striker won many plaudits as he gave Barwell their second win of the season and took his total to seven for the season so far.
In a game that might not have been finished had it been on grass, there were fine margins but the Canaries striker made the big difference.
It was St Ives who started the brighter and Michael Richens was keen to get an early goal with a couple of long range efforts.
These efforts went close but Ben Stephens found the net after just five minutes.
St Ives were still pressing and Liam Cross equalised in the 11th minute . The home side got on top after drawing level and it was looking ominous for Barwell. That feeling grew when Shariff won a penalty in the 18th minute after being dragged down.
It was the ninth penalty the Canaries have conceded this season. Shariff himself took the spot kick but he missed, dragging the ball wide of the left hand post to give the six Barwell fans a huge sense of relief.
Barwell made their hosts pay as Stephens grabbed his second of the night to put them 2-1 ahead.
St Ives started the second half well but Barwell were organised in defence, working hard together to keep the home side out.
Barwell started to turn defence in to attack and were rewarded when Stephens got his hat-trick, scoring a wonderful free kick from 30 yards out in the 64th minute. The shot was unstoppable and it was a brilliant way to get the win secured for Barwell.
St Ives kept looking for a way back in to the game but a combination of wasted efforts, good defending and Max Bramley kept them out.
Hicks skimmed the bar and Bramley made a good save down low to see the game out for the Canaries.