Oulton wonder goal is catalyst for Canaries...
BARWELL 2 HITCHIN TOWN 1 BARWELL made it two wins from three home games as they came from behind to beat Hitchin Town in arctic conditions.
Ben Stephens got the winner with a fine strike after Ross Oulton had hit home a free kick from within his own half to equalise for the home side.
The game was played in freezing conditions and a very strong wind, with the wind being a factor in each half.
It was Hitchin who had the wind behind them in the first half and, in their magenta shirts, they made a bright start. Liam Castle was rapidly out of his area to clear a through ball that was destined for Callum Stead and then he made a save from Liam Marsh. These two incidents were evidence that Hitchin, with no away win this season, would not be an easy touch in this game.
At the other end, in this opening 15 minute period, Ben Stephens managed to latch on to the end of a Dom Brown-Hill ball but his shot was wide of Charles Horlock and the post. Brown-Hill had done well to break up a Hitchin attack, steal the ball and set up the counter attack.
Barwell have been susceptible to set pieces this season with too many goals conceded from them. Hitchin had the experienced Stephen Gleeson to take their set pieces and the former Birmingham City man took a free kick on 21 minutes that Marsh could only strike over the bar.
The next Hitchin set piece did result in a goal when Callum Stead headed home a Gleeson corner after rising well above everyone else.
Tristan Dunkley had the next chance and the Barwell man was impressive in collecting the ball, turning well and then shooting. His shot was straight at the grateful Horlock however. Ben Stephens then had a chance but he was again thwarted by Horlock. The chances were coming for the home side but nothing could be converted.
Back at the other end of the pitch, with the wind still being a factor, Hitchin had two corners in quick succession. After the second one, the ball was worked back in to the box and it fell for Stead but he couldn’t quite connect with it. Barwell were lucky to stay only 1-0 down.
The home Canaries started the second half well, with the wind now behind them. An early shot from Stephens was blocked and Lucas Powell was denied by Horlock. The game was fairly even and chances became more sporadic.
The game changing moment came on 66 minutes when Ross Oulton was brought on to replace the hard working Dom Brown-Hill. His first task was to take a free kick that had been awarded to Barwell, just inside the Barwell half.
Oulton struck the ball fantastically well and, with the wind to assist, the ball sailed over the backtracking Horlock and in to the top of the net. It was a fabulous goal and one that will be remembered for a long time at Kirkby Road.
Just five minutes later and Barwell had the lead. This time it was Ben Stephens who got the goal and it was his 11th goal of the season. Ben collected the ball on the left hand side and, from 25 yards out, fired home past the diving Horlock. It was another excellent goal for the Barwell striker.
Hitchin looked as if the wind had been taken out of their sails with the two quick goals and Barwell stated to dominate. Max Brogan came on for his Barwell debut and looked assured in possession. There weren’t many more clear cut chances and Barwell saw the game out and claimed the win. On a bitterly cold afternoon, the home fans headed back inside and some warmth in a very happy mood.