EARLS BARTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

EARLS BARTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

EARLS BARTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Under 14's.

Managed by Angie Foster, (click envelope to contact).

Kettering Generals 4 v Earls Barton 3

8th September 2007

What a great start to a new season. A well fought match played in good spirits which swung one way and then the other the only sad point of the day was that any team should pinch the points in the dying minutes because everyone agreed a draw would have been the fairest result.
Earls Barton drew first blood with Kelly Sutton scoring after just 5 minutes and doubling the lead 11 minutes later. Generals drew one back on 30 minutes and levelled the scores 5 minutes later, only for Kelly Sutton to complete her hat trick on the stroke of half time.
It was end to end stuff with both teams creating chance after chance, Sophie McHugh in the Barton goal played a blinder and the woodwork played its part helping out the Generals keeper, Sutton hitting the post and Amy Green hitting the bar from a long range effort. Generals equalised on 50 minutes and always looked dangerous on the break when they could beat Barton's offside trap.
With just a few minutes left on the clock and everybody quite happy to settle for a point Generals broke and scored the killer goal.
Some good performances today, with several new players making their debut, obviously it will take a few weeks for them to bed into the team but with games like that it bodes well for a very enjoyable season.
Notable performances today - Sarah Coulter-Brophy and Emily Baldry in defence, Kelly Sutton in attack and POM Sophie McHugh between the sticks.
Well played both teams.

Earls Barton 0 v Kingsthorpe 7

15th September 2007

With four key players missing, playing their Cricket Cup Final, and a few new players still to bed in Barton could not get it together today and made it easy for Kingsthorpe. Individually there were some good performances but collectively they could not find one another and could not keep possession of the ball long enough to threaten Kingsthorpe.
It was disappointing after last week's excellent performance at Kettering Generals but one to put behind us and look forward to the next game.
Player of the match for Barton today - Sarah Coulter-Brophy.

Earls Barton 4 v Moulton 6

29th September 2007

A thoroughly entertaining enjoyable match but unfortunately for Barton their first victory still eludes them.
Barton started brightly and tested the Moulton keeper early on but it was Moulton who took the lead after a bit of a scramble in the Barton goalmouth and the ball was fumbled into the net off one of our own players. Barton hit straight back though Kelly Sutton scoring her first of the day after 8 minutes. It was then really all Barton for a good 20 minute spell and despite creating several good chances and some good saves from the Moulton keeper we could not find that all important second goal. Indeed then Barton had a mad 5 minutes before half time and conceded 3 quick goals, the last one being a good shot from outside the area, which stand-in Keeper Anna-Lea Granger dived well to her right but was just unable to stop it creeping over the line.
H-T 1-4
From being an even score-line of 1-1 Barton were now faced with an uphill battle in the second half to get back into the game. But get back into it they did. In the first minute of the second half Amy Green scored her first for the club with a fierce drive past the keeper. Kelly Sutton made it 3-4 on 49 minutes after good inter-play with Katie Newman and Melanie McIvor made it 4-4 10 minutes later. The game could now go either way, unfortunately for Barton they were undone by two well taken free kicks. The first one from the left hand side of the box after one of the Barton defenders handled it and the other from the edge of the area after the Barton keeper inadvertently stepped outside the area with the ball in her hands. With just a few minutes left to play Barton had to settle for nil points yet again - but if they keep playing the way they are the first win cannot be far away.
Special mention today to stand in Keeper Anna-Lea Granger who has not really played in goal before but stood in for the regular keeper who has been off school all week with a bug. Kelly Sutton who caused the Moulton defence problems all morning, Gina Loziou in the heart of defence but overall my player of the match award today goes to Jo Morton who just keeps improving with every game she plays.

Earls Barton 1 v Kettering Town 6

6th October 2007

This was always going to be a tough game but when Barton's keeper failed to show things were made more difficult, but credit to the Barton girls they battled away and made Kettering work very hard for their victory. Kelly Sutton, our star striker, pulled on the keeper jersey and put on a fine performance but we missed her presence on the pitch.
Kettering scored on 7 minutes and made it 2-0 on 16 minutes but Barton battled well and kept them contained for most of the half, Megan Watkins halving the deficit just before half time with a well struck shot which the Kettering keeper could only parry into her net.
In the second half Kettering showed their superiority and scored another four goals to make it a comfortable win for them. Star performances today - Alix Daverson worked tirelessly on the left wing - she maybe the smallest player in the squad but she certainly doesn't lack guts and determination and our player of the match has to go to Kelly Sutton for standing in at the last minute to play in goal and pulling off some great saves as well.

Rothwell Town 5 v Earls Barton 5

27th October 2007

Earls Barton got their first point of the season, at long last, but went about it the hard way having to fight back from 5-2 down at the break. It was a very entertaining game with goals a plenty and the advantage swinging one way and then the other.
With star striker Kelly Sutton being selected to play for Northampton Town Centre of Excellence it was the other Kelly, Hewitt who took over the scoring.
Barton were caught napping when Rothwell flew out of the blocks and scored 2 goals within the first 2 minutes. Megan Watkins pulled one back for Barton 7 minutes later after a good run by Kelly Hewitt chased the ball to the line and cut it back neatly for Megan to slot past the keeper. Rothwell made it 3-1 on 15 minutes before Kelly Hewitt coolly placed the ball past the keeper in a one-on-one situation on 18 minutes. Barton were struggling to contain the fast forwards of the Rothwell team and could not prevent them scoring another 2 goals before the break.
HT 5 - 2
After the half-time team talk and the wind now behind them Barton began to get their game together. An early goal from Lucy Green gave them the boost they needed and they really started to push the Rothwell team further and further back. Barton were creating plenty of chances, getting caught offside a few too many times, but Kelly Hewitt scored another 2 to complete her hat trick and bring the scores level.
Performances of the day: Mel McIvor had a fine game on the right wing, creating plenty of chances for the front 2, Megan Watkins who never gave up on anything in front of goal and Player of the Match has to go to hat-trick hero Kelly Hewitt. The team as a whole are beginning to play as a team and support one another and the more they do that the better the results will be - Well played everyone.

Rothwell Town 3 v Earls Barton 4

3rd Novemberber 2007 (County Cup)

Earls Barton secured their first win of the season today and it was even more sweet as it was in the first round of the County Cup.
Having played Rothwell in the league last Saturday Barton knew what to expect. Last week Rothwell were 2 goals up in the first five minutes, we certainly didn't want a repeat of that. This week it was Earls Barton's turn to get off to a flyer with two goals in the first 10 minutes. The first scored by Amy Green and the second by Kelly Hewitt. Megan Watkins made it 3-0 on 25 minutes when she ran on to a through ball rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net. Rothwell fought back and scored 2 goals just before half time to set up an interesting second half.
Barton knew the next goal was going to be vital and Kelly Hewitt made it 4-2 within 2 minutes of the restart. It was an end to end game with both teams creating several other chances and both keepers making some crucial saves. Rothwell made it 3-4 on 55 minutes and then piled on the pressure to try and get the all important equaliser but the Barton defence led by Captain Katie Newman held out to see them through to the second round.
Good all round team performance from the Barton girls today with the player of the match award going to Katie Newman.

Kingsthorpe 6 v Earls Barton 2

10th Novemberber 2007

Earls Barton got off to a good start with a goal after just 2 minutes Lucy Green playing the ball through the defence for Kelly Hewitt to run on to and beat the keeper. Unfortunately the lead did not last long Kingsthorpe equalising just 2 minutes later. Kingsthorpe then went ahead on 15 minutes before Kelly Hewitt equalised on 22 minutes, latching onto a rebound after Emily Baldry's shot had smashed against the cross bar. Kingsthorpe scored again just before the break to make the score 3-2 at half time.
Barton made several changes at half time but rather than help them it probably upset the rhythm and with hindsight was not the best move the manager has made this season. The girls started the second half brightly looking for the equaliser but could not find the back of the net and Kingsthorpe added another 3 to seal the victory.
Player of the match for Barton today has to go to goal scorer Kelly Hewitt who ran her socks off trying to keep us in the game.
Having a large squad this season is proving to be as difficult as having a small one last season. Trying to rotate the squad and keep them all happy is probably costing us results, but we have to look on this season as an experimental one, try to pick up the odd result here and there, keep our heads up and learn along the way.

Moulton Fields 2 v Earls Barton 1

24th Novemberber 2007

Moulton caught Barton cold and scored after just 2 minutes of the game. The game then settled down into a very even affair with both teams playing some good football and creating chances but not being able to convert them into goals.
The score remained the same at half-time 1-0 to the home side but Barton were not out of the game, and it was Barton who scored next with Megan Watkins getting her just rewards for a very workman like performance this morning. Both goalkeepers had good games to restrict the scoring but Moulton managed to spring the Barton off-side trap on 55 minutes to get the all important second goal. Barton pushed for the equaliser but it was not to be but the team should not be disheartened because the overall performance was good, they are beginning to play more as a team and with a few more games I'm sure the first league win is not too far off.
Good performances today from Megan Watkins, Sophie McHugh but overall player of the match for Barton today was Mel McIvor.
Well played girls keep up the good work.

Kettering Town 7 v Earls Barton 2

1st December 2007

This was definitely a game of 2 halves for Earls Barton. The first half with the wind behind them belonged to Kettering Town as they cut through the Barton defence with ease and were 7-0 to the good by half time.
The second half belonged to Barton who managed to contain the Kettering threat, used the wind to their advantage and score a couple of goals to make the scoreline a little more respectable. Amy Green getting Bartons first on 64 minutes, blasting through the defence after a neat little lay off from Megan Watkins inside the box, then Megan was rewarded for her player of the match performance with a goal which she looped over the keepers head. This made for an interesting last ten minutes when Barton tried to pull a couple more back but could not manage any more goals.

Earls Barton 6 v Corby Kingswood 0

8th December 2007

Earls Barton secured their first long awaited league win on a very cold and wet Saturday morning. Kelly Hewitt opened the scoring for Barton with just 3 minutes of the game played and then doubled the score on 12 minutes both times running onto good through balls from the midfield and firing past the keeper. Megan Watkins made it 3-0 on 26 minutes. Emily Baldry scored her first 8 minutes later, firing in from the edge of the area and Melanie McIvor made it 5-0 just before half time.
After the break Kingswood, who could only field 9 players, contained the Barton threat better and several times tried to catch Barton on the break, but stand in keeper Katie Newman was quick off her line to clear up if the defence was breached. The Corby Kingswood keeper had a fine game and was easily their player of the match, denying the Barton attack on several occasions.
Emily Baldry got her second and best goal of the game when she received the ball in the box with her back to goal turned and fired past the keeper right on the stroke of time.
Some good performances for Barton today: Eleanore Wright had probably her best game ever for Barton, Megan Watkins and Kelly Hewitt up front worked hard to penetrate the packed defence, Katie Newman who kept a clean sheet, but overall player of match award goes to Emily Baldry in midfield who set up two goals and scored 2 herself.
Well played girls.

Peterborough Diamonds 7 v Earls Barton 1

20th January 2008

The score line does not reflect the performance of the Earls Barton team. For the first half of this game Barton had the upper hand and had it not been for a couple of sloppy goals and a hat full of missed chances the result might have been different.
Diamonds now playing in the Cambridge league were not expecting such a tough tie, having beaten us by double figures in previous seasons in the league. But Barton are a much improved side and gave Diamonds a good run for their money today.
Barton started brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead, Diamonds player of the match in goal, keeping the visitors at bay on several occasions. Diamonds took the lead on 12 minutes against the run of play, a sloppy clearance from the Barton defence slotted home. Barton pressed hard to get the equaliser creating several chances but it was Diamonds who scored next on 28 minutes before Kelly Hewitt finally found the net 2 minutes later. Right on the stroke of half time Emily Baldry skewed a shot wide when it would have been easier to score but that was the story of Barton's game today, our shots went wide and high and Diamonds finished theirs off.
After the break Diamonds piled on the pressure and put the game to bed with another 5 goals not that Barton did not create any chances but we just could not find our way passed their County keeper.
I am not going to single out any particular player for player of the match today because the whole team played their part in a thoroughly enjoyable entertaining game of football, expertly refereed by William Capes.
If the team continue to play as they did today, cut out the silly goals and put away their chances, the future is really bright.

Earls Barton 9 v Corby Kingswood 1

2nd February 2008

Earls Barton and Corby finally got to play their league cup game after a couple of postponements due to the weather.
Earls Barton opened the scoring after just 6 minutes, Kelly Hewitt getting her first of 3, Emily Baldry flicked the ball out wide to Megan Watkins whose first time cross found Kelly Hewitt in the box to finish off a great move. Melanie McIvor got the next when her corner was rebounded back to her and she sent in a curling high ball which beat the keeper at the far post. Two minutes later Kelly Hewitt made it 3-0, Emily Baldry then scored her first of a hat trick and Megan Watkins got no. 5 just before the break.
Barton then went to sleep a bit after the break and allowed Corby back into the game with a goal on 43 minutes. Kelly Hewitt then finished off her hat trick before Emily Baldry scored probably the best goal of the game with a fine solo run from the half way line, she just kept going and going, past player after player, using her strength to weave her way through and fire past the keeper. Mel scored no. 8 with a tap in at the far post and Emily completed her hat trick with a low hard drive into the bottom corner of the net.
Barton played some good football today, following on from a good display in the County Cup at Peterborough, and now have to take these performances into their league games.
Player of the match today Emily Baldry.

Earls Barton 3 v Rothwell 1

16th February 2008

Earls Barton and Rothwell once again fought out a fairly close affair with Barton coming out on top on this occasion. Rothwell broke the deadlock on 20 minutes only for Barton to draw level just 5 minutes later. Kelly Hewitt's shot creeping in at the near post. Emily Baldry was unlucky not to make it 2-1 just a few minutes later when her shot bounced off the top of the cross bar, but she did find the net on 32 minutes when she picked up the ball just outside the area weaved her way through 2 or 3 defenders before firing low and hard into the far corner of the net.
After the break it was much of the same with both sides creating chances, but some sloppy finishing and some fine keeping by both goalkeepers kept the scoring down. Kelly Hewitt scored Barton's third on 60 minutes after some fine inter-passing play. Rothwell pulled it back to 3-2 to make it a panicky last few minutes for the Barton defence, but they held out to take all three points.
Best performances for Barton today, Sophie McHugh in goal, Emily Baldry in the heart of midfield but overall player of the match Jo Morton on the right side of midfield who is improving with each game she plays, doesn't panic when in possession and gets in some strong tackles to win the ball back.

Corby Kingswood 2 v Earls Barton 2

23rd February 2008

Having beaten Corby Kingswood fairly comfortably in two previous outings this season the Barton girls must have thought all they needed to do to win was turn up but the 10 players of Kingswood taught them that you get nothing in this game unless you work hard for it.
Barton started brightly enough creating chances before Megan Watkins weaved her way through a crowded box and slotted the ball past the keeper. Kingswood packed the box and made it very difficult for Barton to break through and hit Barton on the break to draw level on 16 minutes. Ten minutes later Barton were again beaten by a long ball over the top of the defence, with two Kingswood players looking offside the defence froze but the last touch came off a Barton player, the Kingswood girl finished and Barton found themselves 2-1 down.
After the break it was much of the same really, after a few good recent performances Barton could not get their game flowing today. Kelly Hewitt equalised with 15 minutes left and Barton had a few half hearted efforts on goal, and Kingswood continued to try and hit Barton on the break. A draw being a fair result - Kingswood being the happier side as it was their first point of the season - well played girls.
Player of the match today for Barton has to go to Megan Watkins who was probably the only player who could go home thinking yes I gave it my all today - she caused the KIngswood defence problems with her quick feet and determination to win the ball despite being the smallest girl on the pitch.

Rothwell Town 6 v Earls Barton 1

1st March 2008

You've heard the saying 'a game of two halves' well this certainly was. With several players missing this weekend Barton had just a bare 11 available, with no1 and no2 goalkeepers unavailable and the normal 2 central defenders away for the weekend it was a mix and match team which for the first half did very well. The Rothwell team boosted since the last time the teams met with the arrival of several players from the disbanded Kettering Generals team.
The strong wind played a huge part in this game and unfortunately Barton did not use its advantage enough in the first half, compared to Rothwell in the second. It was a very even first half, which all of the previous 3 games between these two sides this season have been. Lucy Green standing in at the last moment in goal had a fine first half and made one particularly good save. Barton created their own chances but were only able to convert one, Kelly Hewitt running on to a free kick and slotting past the keeper.
H-T 0-1
In a mad 5 minutes just after the start of the second half Barton found themselves 4-1 down. Rothwell beating the Barton defence for pace and with 4 goals in such a short space of time left the Barton defence shell shocked and unable to recover. Barton battled well til the end but not before Rothwell added another 2 goals to make the final score 6-1.
Player of the match for Barton today has to go to Lucy Green who had no hesitation when asked to go in goal, had safe hands, apart from one mishap, and her kicking was superb. Other notable performances today, Kelly Hewitt and Megan Watkins who ran their socks off up front, and Sarah Coutler-Brophy in defence.

Kingsthorpe 4 v Earls Barton 3

8th March 2008

Football can be very cruel at times and today was surely one of those times, Kingsthorpe snatching the points from Barton with a free kick in the final minute of the game which hit the post and spun into the net.
It had been a brilliant game of football with both sides coping well with the wind. Barton got off to a flying start, playing with the wind behind them they forced an early corner, the ball was cleared only for Kelly Hewitt to pick it up just outside the box, she struck a sweet shot from 20 yards which beat the keeper. 1 minute gone, 1-0 up. The wind was always going to play a big part in this game and Barton kept Kingsthorpe camped in their half of the pitch for most of the first half. Barton were creating chances and forcing corners one after the other but should have monopolised their chances and turned them into goals. Five minutes before the break Kingsthorpe broke away and scored the equaliser.
Half-time 1-1.
Barton knew they would have to work hard to get the ball out of their own half in the second period now playing against the wind but they coped with it very well. On 39 minutes Megan Watkins scored probably the best goal of the game, Kelly Hewitt picked the ball up in her own half ran across the whole of the pitch down the right wing and swung the ball across for Megan Watkins to volley in at the far post. Six minutes later Kingsthorpe equalised but Barton were not to be outdone and Kelly Hewitt ran onto a long ball from Emily Baldry, keeper came out to block, but Kelly managed to nod the rebound into the net. With 15 minutes left Barton were not able to hold onto the lead and Kingsthorpe equalised for the third time in the game with 8 minutes left on the clock, then came that all decisive free kick right on the stroke of time to sink all of the Barton players and supporters alike.
A great game in tricky conditions, all Barton players playing their part in a good team performance and if they keep progressing as they have done this season then next season should be even better.
I am going to give joint player of the match awards today to Megan Watkins and Kelly Hewitt because I think they both had outstanding games today and never stopped running - well done girls.

Earls Barton 1 v Moulton Fields 4

15th March 2008

Once again it was a match of two halves. Moulton Fields winning the first half 4-0 and Barton winning the second half 1-0.
Moulton took an early lead after just 4 minutes, their keeper's long kick flying over the Barton defence for their forwards to race onto and score.
Unfortunately the Barton defence did not learn how to cope with it until after the half-time team talk, by this time it was too late and the visitors were already 4-0 up. Barton created one or two chances themselves in the first half but were not able to convert them.
After the break, with a little jigging around of the team, Barton put on more of a contest, Kelly Hewitt scoring Barton's only goal after good work between her and Emily Baldry. Barton plugged away and tried to reduce the arrears more, player of the match Megan Watkins coming close on a couple of occasions.

Earls Barton 1 v Kettering Town 7

29th March 2008

Earls Barton were taught a footballing lesson today by a very good Kettering Town side. With 4 goals in the first 22 minutes Kettering had the game won before half time.
After the break Barton got into the game a little more without ever really threatening the Kettering goal. Three more goals for Kettering in the second half with just one reply from Barton's leading scorer Kelly Hewitt wrapped up the game.
Barton were guilty of showing the opposition too much respect today and must learn to contest every ball whether they are playing top or bottom of the league. As the saying goes 'you have to be in it to win it - and today Barton were not in it'.
Despite the result there were some good performances today notably from Alix Daverson, Amy Green and Evie Mills.