Canaries end campaign with seven goal thriller
BARWELL ended the season with a 3-4 defeat to Hednesford Town but two goals for Ben Stephens meant that he finished as the top goalscorer in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central. This game was also the final game in charge for manager Guy Hadland who announced after the game that he was stepping down.
Hednesford opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a low shot by captain Lewis Ludford-Ison that squirmed through the hands of Max Bramley and nestled in the far corner.
It was not the start that Barwell wanted but just six minutes later they were level. Ben Stephens scored the goal but also did well to make the chance for himself. He was played the ball by Tyler Haddow when on the edge of the area, controlled it well and created space for himself to make the finish across Oliver Basey in goal.
A crazy opening quarter of an hour then continued when Todd Parker scored a free kick for Hednesford to put them back in the lead after 14 minutes. The free kick was taken from the Hednesford left hand side and Parker crossed the ball in to the area.
It managed to evade everyone for both teams and, rather tamely, bounced in to the far corner.
There were chances for Barwell to equalise again as Brady Hickey headed a Stephens cross just wide and Haddow was denied a close range effort by a fantastic last ditch challenge. Max Brogan left the bar shaking with a long range effort that deserved a goal.
It was, however, Hednesford who scored next and the well travelled Leroy Lita got the goal after Barwell had given the ball away. Lita was able to find some space to receive a pass and then finished coolly past Bramley.
Barwell pulled a goal back with a Ben Stephens penalty to make it 2-3. Stephens was fouled in the box and the Barwell striker took the kick himself.
This goal was his 24th of the season and secured his status as the top goalscorer in the league for the season. For a club that finished in the bottom half of the table, this was a remarkable achievement.
The second half also started in a frantic fashion with early goals. Hednesford extended their lead after 51 minutes when Josh Webb volleyed home. Barwell failed to clear a corner and the ball came out to Webb who made a good finish. The home side then went up the other end and scored themselves. Tyler Haddow was picked out well with a pass and finished well to make it 3-4.
As the hour mark came in the game, Hednesford had a good chance but the ball hit the bar after a scramble in the six yard box and then Ben Stephens had a goal disallowed for offside after he had received a good pass from James Rowland.
With 15 minutes to go, Hednesford had a muted claim for a penalty after
Bennett went down in the box. The referee was well placed and quickly ruled it out.
Max Brogan, having hit the bar from distance in the first half, tried an audacious shot from within his own area when he saw Basey off his line. His effort was well judged for distance but struck the right hand post and bounced back to Basey to collect. It would have been quite a goal to potentially grab a point.
The referee blew his whistle to bring the game and the season to an end. Barwell finished the season in 19th place, securing football at this level once again for the new season.