Penalties aplenty as Barwell lose opener
PITCHING IN SOUTHERN CENTRAL LEAGUE BARWELL 1 LOWESTOFT 2
BARWELL lost their opening game of the new season as they fell at home to Lowestoft Town with a 2-1 defeat.
All three goals were penalties in a game that was closely fought in front of a healthy crowd of 249.
Brady Hickey opened the scoring but Jacek Zielonka scored two penalties to take all three points back to the Suffolk coast.
On a sunny but breezy afternoon it was Lowestoft who had the first chance but Barwell had their first chance with Leandro Browne shooting wild and wide in the fifth minute. Barwell had been forced to swap ends by Lowestoft and were playing with the slope in their favour for the opening 45 minutes.
Kai Williams, a real threat all afternoon, combined well with Tristan Dunkley in the 10th minute and it led to a shot by the winger but it was blocked. This was to become a story of the game with Lowestoft defending well throughout their visit to Leicestershire.
The resulting corner was well taken by Browne and Jayden Cotterill met it with a fine header but it was straight at Luis Tibbles in the Trawlerboys goal.
Williams was a threat again when he, twice, powered in from the right hand side. The first time he shot low and wide before, secondly, crossing well but the ball evaded the incoming Browne. Almost the same thing happened again a few minutes later but this time Jac Redhead could not reach the ball to finish.
On 32 minutes the referee, not the most popular man at Kirkby Road, awarded a penalty to Barwell. This was scored by Brady Hickey who had scored a few in preseason and now had one in the opening game. Browne was bundled over for the penalty. Barwell 1 Lowestoft Town 0.
Max Bramley punched the ball clear on 42 minutes when a corner was heading dangerously to the far post. It was one of a number of crucial clearances that the Barwell keeper made all game.
Almost on the stroke of half time, the away side were awarded a penalty. It looked like first contact had been made outside of the box but the referee disagreed. Jacek Zielonka slotted home for the equaliser.
Soon after half time there was a real chance for Lowestoft when Adam Tann headed just over from a free kick that was sent in from out wide. Barwell came back not long after with chances for Hickey, Dunkley and Williams all either blocked or sent wide.
Guy Hadland made some changes with Jahvan DavidsonMiller, Sam Hollis and Tolani Omotola all coming on to offer something different in attack. Omotola was involved in a great move with Jac Redhead which led to a shot from Redhead being saved by Tibbles.
Another penalty was awarded on 78 minutes, it looked harsh with seemingly minimal contact.
Zielonka stepped up again to take it and despatched it with no problem and give the lead to the men from Suffolk.
Barwell tried to push hard to get a late equaliser but Lowestoft stood resolutely in front of them and it was the away side that took all three points.