Canaries on song as late stunner clinches points against Royston
BARWELL 2 ROYSTON TOWN 1 Southern League Premier Central Att: 307
NON-LEAGUE day saw Barwell face up at home to Royston Town who entered the contest with one win in their last four games, writes Joe Mathieson.
The odds seemed in Barwell’s favour as they hadn’t lost to their opponents since 2019 and their last two home games against Royston had finished 2-1 in favour of the Canaries.
The game got off to a slow start, but burst into life with 15 minutes gone as the home side took the lead. A swift counter attack saw the ball at the feet of Ethan Hill, who unselfishly squared to veteran striker Leroy Lita to tap home his first goal for the club.
Royston managed to gain a foothold in the game not long after and came very close to an equaliser after 23 minutes, but were somehow kept out by Will Brook, who made a fantastic save to tip the ball over the bar.
Barwell came close again after 26 minutes when Jahvan DavidsonMiller was able to turn his man inside the box, but his low shot was well held by the visiting keeper.
Davidson-Miller was in among the action again just after the half hour mark. He connected with a delightful Aksum White cross, but he couldn’t keep his header down and it flew over the bar.
As the first half petered out, the home side had one final chance in added time, Deen Master finding space on the wing but his drilled effort from the tight angle was pushed away from danger by the goalkeeper.
Barwell began the second half on top and came close with 52 minutes on the board. Hill’s curling free kick seemed destined for the bottom left hand corner, but a brilliant block by a Royston defender kept the scoreline 1-0.
The visitors would find themselves level on the hour mark, a dangerous free kick of their own would be deflected into the path of Alfie Williams who smashed home from close range.
That goal sparked new-found confidence into the travelling side who pressed onward searching for the second goal, and if not for some excellent stops by Brook they would have found it.
Barwell made their first change with 70 minutes played when Deen Master was replaced by Tristan Dunkley.
The game quietened down as both sides made changes to look for a potential winner with Barwell’s second change coming five minutes after the first when Micah Edwards came on for White.
A third and final change for the Canaries saw Reece Massey replace Davidson-Miller.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Barwell found a winner in the most remarkable way, the ball falling to full-back Josh Flanagan and with no passing options he decided to strike the ball from 35 yards out and it swerved all the way into the back of the net to cue wild celebrations.
Three minutes of additional time went by with no action to report as Barwell held on for another home win, their third on the bounce.