Barley Mow Wanderers F.C

Barley Mow Wanderers 4-4 Bushbury Arms

Match Report.

Barley were looking for a semi-final spot in the Clinton Cup and today's first game in the playoff group would be a crucial step. Player / Manager Cornaby decided to name Captain Liam Sewell between the sticks instead of himself, a decision that proved to be a poor one as the Barley defence looked vulnerable all afternoon missing Sewell's presence. Barley started unusually well pushing Bushbury early, Blakeway missing two very good opportunity's inside 10minutes. However it was Bushbury who took the lead, 11minutes and a ball worked in from the right hand side presented a chance inside the six yard box for the un-marked striker who could'nt miss 0-1. Barley's attacking play paid off in the 20th minute. A freekick swung in by Hales was undefended and found Hickman in the six yard box, who again could'nt miss 1-1. Barley looked dangerous going forward but were sloppy in midfield and at the back and more sloppy play gave Bushbury a second lead after 27minutes. Michael Cornaby failed to control a ball just inside the penalty area and gut reaction forced him to use his hand and a penalty was awarded and converted unconvincingly 1-2. Bushbury could have made it hard for Barley to get back into the game but wasted a good chance two minutes later, Westbury clearing off the line. Barley levelled again on 36minutes, a long clearance from Sewell was flicked on the Blakeway in the clear chipped over a disppearing keeper 2-2. Six minutes from the break and Barley took the lead for the first time, Evans working the ball into the final third , Bushbury intercepted but could not control the ball which fell to the feet of Blakeway who finished neatly inside the eighteen yard box. Half Time 3-2. Barley started the second half bright, just like the first. Less than a minute in and Blakeway looking for a hatrick shot but hit the post, the rebound fell nicely for Bradnick who somehow managed to put the ball over the bar from virtually on the goaline. 52minutes and Barley increased there lead, Bradnick who was not having the best of afternoons scuffed his shot and with the aid of a post and some calamitous keeping found the back of the net 4-2. After taking a two goal lead Barley were very much under the cosh for the remainder of the game, Bushbury pulled it back to 4-3 on 65minutes and good looking corner but some dyer marking found the far post and a Bushbury head. It looked like Barley were just hanging on until Bushbury made it 4-4 five minutes from time another headed goal sealed a point fore Bushbury. The place for that semi-final spot now hangs on a knife-edge.

Clinton Cup Groups & Results.