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BARTON ROVERS 0 EGHAM TOWN 1

BARTON ROVERS 0 EGHAM TOWN 1

Tempest Ward24 Dec 2017 - 00:39
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Woods' beauty enough to win at Barton

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN, EAST DIVISION
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 2017
BARTON ROVERS 0 (0) EGHAM TOWN 1 (1)
Scorer: Matty Woods (27)

Matty Woods’ 5th goal of the season was just enough for Egham Town to record their third win on the spin, and their fourth unbeaten. After drawing at home with Ashford Town (Mx.) the Sarnies faced a trio of games against sides at the wrong end of the table. Wins at Arlesey Town and at home to Hanwell Town preceded a midweek 3-0 friendly win at Chertsey Town (Aaron Berry scored two, Ryan Debattista one).
Barton Rovers started the day with an unwanted “0” in their home wins column. Understandably the visitors were not wanting to alter that statistic, but until Brendan Matthew rose to head a Lewis Cole cross against the bar it had been the home side having marginally the better of the opening quarter of an hour. The only goal of the game came 27 minutes in, Woods linking with Matthew before taking the ball on and sweeping in a magnificent, curling shot beyond the grasp of keeper Dan Gould. Egham were in control for the rest of a half in which they were heading down the slope, skipper Reece Yorke firing in a shot and Matthew chasing a pass through a gap in the back line but being beaten by Gould before he could apply the final touch.
Rovers had won 3-0 at the Runnymede Stadium in the first league game of this campaign but have had a number of changes in personnel (debutant Gould was their fifth goalkeeper) and slipped into the danger zone. Other changes in the outfield had been made and it was clear that they wanted to impress, pushing Egham into some uncomfortable positions as they took advantage of the slope. Devante McKain put in another impressive performance, heading off the line in the 55th minute. Up front Matthew toiled but was thrice thwarted by Gould in one-on-one positions. In addition to anothr clean sheet, Egham were glad to be able to see midfielder Louis Stead make his first appearance for two months after being injured at Moneyfields. He replaced Woods, and three minutes from time drilled in a free kick, given for a foul on Matthew, that was diverted for a corner. The Sarnies were grateful that a last second cross shot rolled past Aaron Bufton’s left post.
Egham end the year with a trip to Beaconsfield Town, who sit in third place. There is an undercurrent to this match, the Bucks side being led by Gary Meakin, who took Egham to the play-offs in the last two campaigns. When he left he took several players with him. Six former Sarnies were in the starting line-up for the Rams narrow home win against Aylesbury United. It should be a very interesting finale to 2017. 2018 starts with a home game against Northwood on 6th January.
EGHAM TOWN: Aaron Bufton, Alex Nolan, Lewis Cole, Reece Yorke (Captain), William Wambeek, Devante McKain, Wayne Carter, Jordan Frederick, Brendan Matthew, Matthew Woods, Callum Webb. Substitutes: Ryan Debattista, Louis Stead (Woods, 84), Danny Julienne, Liam Tack, Rhys Paul (Carter, 65).

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