Burton rally to share points and stay at top
BURTON’S men stayed top of Midlands One after battling to 2-2 draw away to closest rivals Repton.
It was a considerable step forward for Burton, given that they had lost 17-0 to a star-studded Repton team the last time they had met in a league game.
Both sides moved the ball quickly at the start but it was Repton who drew first blood from a early short corner.
This led to a period of pressure from the home side but the defensive work of Will Selby and Andrew Locker, well marshalled by William Fox and with some excellent saves from keeper Harry George kept the score the same until Burton grew into the game and found an equaliser.
An aerial ball from Jamie Cooper split the Repton defence and, under pressure from Owen Harrison and Nathanial Ball, their last man lost possession and Ball capitalised, drawing the keeper before finishing.
Repton struggled to deal with the pace and skill of Sulman Razzaq and Abdul Manan bursting through midfield in an increasingly physical game but they did regain the lead just before half-time with a deflected second effort from a short corner.
Burton found it difficult to build sustained pressure on the Repton defence due to breakdowns in play after the break.
They had Jamie Cooper greencarded after a challenge but battled well to stay in touch until he was able to return.
And with 10 minutes left, they won a short corner and it was Cooper who slammed the ball home to make it 2-2.
Player of the match was Will Fox.
BURTON Ladies firsts battled hard but went down 2-0 to one of the top teams in their division, Loughborough Town.
They started well, getting the ball high up the pitch, pushing for an early goal but could not break through.
As Loughborough began to get into the game, play became open with Burton more often on the defending foot and Loughborough won a short corner, finding a deflection into the net for the lead.
It was tight up to half-time with no further score and Burton felt they had a good chance to get back.
Leigh Alexandra, Izzy Ridley, Harriet Buxton and Kim Ascott were all putting in good tackles in what became a feisty game.
But it was 2-0 from another short corner. Megan Bignell saved the first effort but the rebound fell kindly for a Loughborough stick.
BARTON found themselves outclassed by unbeaten Midlands Premier Division leaders Khalsa Leamington and went down to a 7-2 home defeat, their third loss in a row, although they have now completed a tough run against the division’s top four.
They started well enough against Khalsa and took the lead from an early short corner, neatly put away by Jake Foster.
The visitors, fielding a number of former internationals, were stung into action and hit back with two quick goals.
But Barton rallied to stay in the game at this stage and might have gone in level at half-time but for captain Adam Foster’s shot hitting the inside of the post.
After the break, though, there were a series of occasions when Khalsa showed why they are top with a 100% record, breaking quickly to score further goals.
Liam Goode gave Barton some hope with another goal from a penalty corner but this was the last time Barton were able to get past the Khalsa defence.
It had been a very open counterattacking game for both sides but Khalsa’s finishing was unerring.
On Saturday, Barton are away to Northampton Saints, who sit three points behind them, looking to get back on track.