Barton remain winless after suffering Welwyn Garden City loss
Barton Rovers are still searching for their opening Southern League Division One Central victory of the campaign after falling to a 3-1 loss at home to Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.
The hosts made a fast start, as they looked for an early goal, although Isaiah Hilaire had to produce a superb tackle to prevent a Welwyn attack on four minutes.
Tyrone Shiham saw his attempt from the edge of the penalty area blocked, before Welwyn’s Kieran Gauthier was booked for a poor tackle on Rawn Seale.
Midway through the half, Murphy Culkin sped down the wing and delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but Rovers were unable to capitalise.
Shiham also saw yellow for a late tackle, as Welwyn missed a golden opportunity when Rovers failed to clear a corner, while Culkin again impressed moments later, beating his man before laying the ball off to Shiham, whose effort was saved.
The visitors continued to threaten before the break, but the two sides went into half-time all square.
Barton began the second half on the front foot, with only a superb City tackle denying Shiham inside the six-yard box.
Powfil Raposo was then brought down around 25 yards from goal, earning Rovers a free-kick, before Matt Boylan produced an incredible stop to deny Welwyn after cutting the angle brilliantly.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when a long ball was brought down by Luca Gordon, who laid it off to Evaristo Mendes, and he fired past Boylan.
Chris Robson’s side weren’t behind for long, levelling the scores on 64 minutes, when a free kick was awarded, Murphy Culkin’s excellent delivery met by Josh Rodrigues to make it 1-1.
The response was short-lived as Ryan Hayes restored Welwyn’s lead just two minutes later, while Welwyn were then awarded a penalty on 68 minutes, Eddie Corbit converting from the spot to give the visitors some breathing space.
Six minutes of added time were played, but although Barton pushed hard, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Rovers head to Potters Bar Town this weekend.
» Crawley Green went down to a 2-0 defeat at home to Ampthill Town in their SSML Division One contest on Saturday.
The visitors showed plenty of intent early on, as Jake Kissiedu opened the scoring with 20 minutes gone.
Courtney Bridges saw his shot saved by Mitch Howe, while in the second period, Will Lopez and Rob Doran were off target as Green tried to hit back.
Riley Keeble put a free kick over the bar, but Ampthill sealed the points when Adam Hughes found the net with an angled shot.
Crawley were at Cranfield United last night and then entertain Rothwell Corinthians on Saturday.
» Caddington began their SSML Division Two season with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Milton Keynes College.
James Sheridan scored a double, with Pearce Trophy also on target, as Totternhoe lost 3-1 at home to Sarratt, George Burden with the hosts' goal.
The 61 FC (Luton) were hammered 11-1 at Milton Keynes Irish Reserves, Ahmed Enayet netting the consolation.
Last night, Totternhoe hosted Redbourn, while The 61 FC (Luton) headed to Eynesbury United.
At the weekend, Caddington welcome The 61 FC (Luton) and Totternhoe entertain Codicote.