Middlewich Town 0

Barnton 3

Mid Cheshire One

Saturday, January 13

MIDDLEWICH really needed to repeat their performance from earlier in the season when they took all three points at Townfield Lane, and for the first 45 minutes of this contest they were in control.

John Lewis was inspirational in the centre of midfield, Andy Taylor was also back at Seddon Street after a brief spell at Rhyl and Dave Twite gave a league debut to Emmett Boyle from Coleraine.

It was Boyle who created Town's first chance, winning a 50-50 challenge and playing through Simon Johnson, who sped past two static Barnton defenders and looked to be pulled down as he took his shot. The referee pointed for a goal-kick.

Taylor had a great chance to put the home side in front, but blasted high over the crossbar after good work by Chris Melia.

As the half closed, Barnton showed what was to come in the second half, Mark Tomlinson twisting and turning beat two Town players before passing to Danny Gee who shot low past the post. But it was the pace of the move that caused concern for the Middlewich management team.

Barnton scored after 10 minutes of the re-start when Stuart Fraser played a ball right across the Middlewich six-yard box. It arrived at the far post where JOhn Hawley put pressure on Mike Whitehirst, who could only divert the ball into his owon net.

Middlewich rallied for a brief spell but never really put Barnton's defence under any real pressure as the visitors soaked up the attacks and played on the break.

Tomlinson played a major part in the second, winning possession on the halfway line,moving it to Lee Murphy and taking the return pass to place his shot beyond Barry Crellin.

Middlewich made two changes, Alan Woan and Darren Ingham replacing Chris Melia and Ben Barnard. Woan then did what no other Middlewich player could do, find a team-mate with a 10-yard pass, to set up Johnson to run at Barnton's defence again.

But it wasBarnton who scored next with five minutes remaining. Foy crossed and Murphy rose at the far post to head home Barnton's third and seal the points.

Middlewich: Crellin, Dickinson, Barnard, Lewis, M Whitehurst, Corcoran, Taylor, Boyle, Johnson, Quine, Melia. Subs: Woan, Ingham, E Whitehurst.