TOWEY DOUBLE SENDS BARNTON INTO NEXT ROUND

STOCKPORT TOWN 1 V BARNTON FC 3
MEN UNITED CUP ROUND 3 @ STOCKPORT SPORTS VILLAGE
28 NOVEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

OVERVIEW OF SSV STOCKPORT TOWN V BARNTON

A double strike from the games star man Kevin Towey saw Barnton progress to the next round of the NWCFL League Cup in a game played in terrible afternoon of winter weather.  Much as Stockport tried to mount a second half come back the half time deficit could not be rescued especially with an early extension of the visitors lead.

BARNTON MANAGER LEON KNIGHT PRE MATCH

For the third week running the blog was left to perform its best Michael Fish impression with this Saturdays heavy rain downpour arriving at kick off time and for the duration of most matches we decided not to push our luck and pulled out the 3g card at Stockport Sports Village [SSV] for this cup fixture.  The blog has taken in a few games at the venue which previously housed Woodley Sports and then Stockport Sports.  The current team gracing the artificial turf are Stockport Town who made an immediate appearance at step 6 level this season and have been performing well in the league alongside todays cup and the Reusch Cup for the first division teams.  Barnton arrive in top position under the guidance of Leon Knight former Chelsea, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea player.
With a mid morning departure from base station a change was made at Sheffield for the all stopping Manchester service, always good to take a little more leisurely look at the beautiful peak district villages.  Upon arrival at Bredbury station we said a quick hi to The Rising Sun which is by the entrance but made an immediate move to Woodley with no stop allowed.

THE RISING SUN BY BREDBURY STATION

Upon arrival at Woodley shopping precinct the highlight of past visits was re engaged as we decamped in Taylors fish and chip restaurant.  As you can see when we arrived at our chosen table Christmas decorations greeted us so I advised Mick that this was the blogs staff outing for the festive season.

BEST PICTURE OF THE DAY AT THE BLOGS CHRISTMAS 'DO'

Needless to say the fish and chips were of the usual high quality standard with the as always friendly staff making this a pleasant visit to be much recommended if you are in the area.  Mick went for a cob, here we finally arrived at the correct name for said item in this area and it is...... muffin.  So we can add that to the long list which of course includes roll, batch, cob, breadcake, balm, butty, etc.
The weather was starting to take a turn for the worse now and following a little look around the precinct we made hopped off to the ground situated in The Stockport Sporting Village which is a lesuire centre type of venue with numerous outdoor courts made up of 3g pitches and I believe from past visits tennis courts.

The general feeling of the place is grey which today matched the day too, its probably a little unfortunate that we only seem to visit on bad weather days. 
A quick ground descriptor then to the left of the trunstiles behind the near goal is an Atocst stand with seats directly behind the goal and too either side a three stepped terracing.  Moving around then, hard standing continues around the whole pitch and the dug outs are of standard type the far goal is just hard standing also.

ATCOST TYPE COVERED TERRACING AND SEATING

STOCKPORT TOWN IN WARM UP MODE

Back to the main side of operations at The SSV and we have a main stand with a nice selection of steep set seats and too the rear a hospitality room with good window views.  The main leisure centre building then opens up to show the gym on the top level and the level below offers for todays spectators, I'm afraid just 29-with a paying attendance of I guess much lower, a snack bar run by the centre-there is also an inside café too.

BARNTON'S MICHALE BURKE OFFERS TO HOLD UP THE FENCING IN THE STRONG WINDS

The obligatory circuit of the pitch was made in constant rain, something that would not leave us until about ten minutes before the end of the game, but a few pictures were managed which hopefully gives a feel for the day, wet and windy!
Due to the poor weather sadly there are no action shots of the game it was just too wet and dark a bit of a shame but hopefully a few before the game started make up for these.
During the afternoon it was good to catch up with a few fellow hoppers of which we learned a lot including a little bit more on Cheadle Town a club we need to visit soon.

BARNTON, ALSO IN WARM UP MODE

Teams were obtained relatively easily, with thanks too Stockport for this and as the rain came down harder the game was eager to get under way we welcomed the home side looking resplendent in their Athletico Madrid type kit and Barnton in a brightening orange strip.

CAN YOU WORK THIS ONE OUT?

The first 45 minutes saw Barnton do enough to really wrap this game up indeed after 5 minutes they nearly took a shock lead Towy saw his short parried by home keeper Aaron Ashley but with Barnton captain Kevin Pollard looking odds on to score the ball escaped his finish.

TUNNEL APPEARANCE FROM STOCKPORT TOWN

The visitors didn't have to wait too long for the lead though when on 23 minutes Towey whipped in a cross off the right for Jason McShane to head home.  It was 2-0 five minutes later when a bouncing ball was helped by the wind over the Stockport defence and Towey ran onto the ball, his initial shot was blocked by McShane but he steered home the lose ball to extend Barnton's lead.
With half time there was time for a quick tea and a shelter by 'The Hatch' and a chat a nice little chat about Cheadle Town with a fellow visitor to Woodley this afternoon.

STOCKPORT TOWN V BARNTON

The restart saw Barnton start at a pace and when Towey got his second and Barnton's third you knew it was 'game over'.  The number 7 broke through with the ball and with confidence rounded McShane in the home goal to slot the ball home into an undefended goal.
Stockport tried their best to get back into the game but Barnton were well marshalled and looked more than comfortable.  The home side did pull a goal back in the 4th minute of stoppage time and it was a lovely strike from a free kick 20 yards out Reuben Abreu curled the ball over the wall into the top left hand corner of the Barnton goal.  It was too late though as moment after the re start referee Bamber blew his whistle for full time and Barnton were into the hat for the quarter finals.

THE CROWD [MOST SHELTERING IN THE STAND ON THE RIGHT]

A well paced game in very difficult conditions made playable by the 3g facility when others in the area were being postponed or abandoned due to horrendous weather.
We had lined up a visit to The Rising Sun while we waited for the train but this sadly never happened because the 5pm train was running late and we managed to hop aboard this which gave us a convenient change in Sheffield before a return to base just before 7pm.
As previously mentioned SSV normally ends up with a visit when the weather is bad and we really must visit in the good weather still as long as Taylors is open the blog would happily visit at any time of the year!

150 NORTHERN RAIL ARRIVING FOR ITS DEPARTURE TO BREDBURY