Swans Held At Home - Barton Town Old Boys vs. Liversedge

The heavens would soon open over Marsh Lane

This weekend I was back up north visiting my parents and I so I took the opportunity to visit Barton Town Old Boy's Marsh Lane ground for their North East Counties League match against Liversedge. I'd planned to visit several times before but circumstances were always against me. Barton had made a decent start and conceded a last minute equaliser to title favourites Scarborough on Wednesday night. The visitors were just in the top half at the start of play. Another interesting fact was that between them the two sides had played 12 away games and there had only been one loss.

The stand at Marsh Lane.

The game has a major incident in the very first minute of the match. Following a run in the box, the Barton player is upended and the referee awards the earliest penalty I think I've ever seen. Barton missed one in the midweek draw with Scarborough and they would repeat the trick as the visiting keeper makes a decent save. Barton continue to dominate and take the lead mid way through the half. Following another unchallenged run in to the box, the ball is squared across the box and slotted home. This sparks Liversedge in to life and they are rewarded with the equaliser just before half time.

Barton look for the second goal.

Barton dominate the second half but are frustrated by a well drilled Liversegde side. As the game progresses, Liversedge are able to hit Barton on the break but more often than not the breaking players lack support. Barton pour forward in the closing stages but are restricted to long range efforts.

Side on view of the stand.

There is a train station in Barton but trains only come from Grimsby and so it is quicker (unless travelling from that direction) to travel to Scunthorpe and get the 350 bus from the bus station. Buses depart every half hour and the journey takes 45 minutes and it drops you off close to Marsh Lane. Before the game I went to The George which was decent and only a few doors down from Taz's Fish Bar. Marsh Lane was given a major overhaul to gain promotion to the NECL and so the clubhouse is brand new and provides a view of the pitch.

View towards the clubhouse with the Humber Bridge in the background.