Alsager Town 0-1 Barnton
Alsager Town were back in action at Wood Park on Tuesday night as they looked for a result after a 3-2 defeat to Cheadle Heath Nomads.
First half
The Bullets attempted to switch things up by shooting towards the Brian Berrington/Ken Harris End in the first half against Barnton. There was hope this strategy would pay off, with Warren Jones’ team winning a number of corner kicks early on. The first two were wasted, while the third saw a header on goal, but it made for an easy clearance.
Barnton eventually got forward and won a penalty after James Sigworth took the ball past his defender on the left wing and was brought down in the box. Charles Burgess dived in the right direction, but was unable to save a very good spot kick from the striker.
Sigworth got through on goal again shortly afterwards, but he dragged a low range effort wide of the right post, preventing Alsager from trailing by two.
The home team’s chances throughout the opening 45 minutes mainly came from set pieces, but they failed to take advantage and entered the break with a one-goal deficit to overcome.
Half time: Alsager Town 0-1 Barnton
Second half
Barnton landed the first shot on target after the interval, but it was Alsager who came closest to getting a goal. Brayden Barlow fired a powerful long range effort which goalkeeper Toby Hurst tipped over the bar.
The visitors had a half chance at the other end, forcing Burgess into a diving save. However, it was the Bullets who were continuosly on the attack. Despite this, there was a lack of imagination, with much of the play going through the middle of the pitch.
Alsager continued to have plenty of set pieces, including free kicks, but they were not made use of as Barnton looked comfortable defending their lead. This was usually the result of poor deliveries into the box, but the home supporters were growing increasingly frustrated by a lack of movement by the receiving players.
One final free kick provided Alsager with the last chance of the match and it was met by a header from Burgess, who abandoned his net for the stoppage time set piece. The shot-stopper ended the move by putting the ball in the back of the net with a fine finish into the bottom left corner, but the linesman had already raised his flag to signal an offside offence.
Full time: Alsager Town 0-1 Barnton
Alsager Town are on the edge of the relegation zone
The Bullets might have felt unlucky not to pick up a point against a Barnton side who did not see much of the ball on the night. However, there was a shortage of innovation and Alsager rarely looked like finding an equaliser.
While Barnton have now risen to third place in the First Division South, Alsager are in 15th, just three points above Shawbury United who are currently on course to be relegated.
They will travel to Stafford Town on Saturday, before having a week off ahead of a return to Wood Park to face Foley Meir in a local derby on December 13.
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