Photos courtesy of John Rudkin see more at https://flic.kr/s/aHskMrywv4
Before the game it looked like a Scarborough Athletic reunion with Rudy Funk and Paul Foot the respective managers and players Ryan Williams, Matt Plummer, Jason White, Gary Bradshaw, Jimmy Ghaichem and Bryan Hughes for AFC Mansfield. Sam O’Malley captain of Barton was also an ex Seadog and I am sure there were a few more I haven’t identified at the game.
AFC Mansfield welcomed back top goal scorer Ollie Fearon to the starting line-up and included new sighing Joe Austin from Clipstone FC.
In his 100th game in charge Rudy Funk made it 6 games unbeaten in the league as his AFC Mansfield side climbed to 8th in the league. Although 10 seconds into the game you would have thought otherwise. Because that’s how long it took Barton to go in front, yes, 10 seconds.
Straight from the kick-off the ball was launched into the visitor’s box, Joe Austin won the header but it was blocked by James Nicholls. The ball then dropped to Matty Plummer who had the ball took off his toe by Nicholls before the Barton striker fired past Jason White.
On a very sticky pitch The Bulls knew they were in for a battle and in the 1st half Barton closed everything down quickly and were physical with it. That’s not to say dirty, but designed to knock AFC off their stride. With Danny Patterson taking the captain’s armband it would be an interesting game.
2 minutes into the game and Ollie Fearon signalled his intent with a dipping effort from just outside the box which cleared the bar by inches. Fearon went close again on 20 minutes as the pressure mounted after good work from Jon D’Laryea and Gary Bradshaw.
A Williams cross was headed over by defender Louis Bruce and a Williams free kick from 25 yards went well over the bar. The equaliser came on 32 minutes and Bradshaw fed Williams on the right his delivery found Lynton Karkach at the far post and the ex-Gainsborough Trinity man fired a low volley past Pat Weaver from 8 yards.
Matty Plummer fired well over the bar just before the break from a Fearon cross.
Two questions for the 2nd half, could Barton keep up the excellent workrate and could AFC unlock their defence? Gary Bradshaw nearly answered those questions 2 minutes into the restart with a neat turn and curling effort that Weaver did well to turn over the bar. Bradshaw went close again on 55 minutes after a great through ball from Joe Austin. His looping effort beat the keeper but also cleared the bar.
A great surging run from the back by Matty Plummer saw him play a neat one two with Bradshaw and the defender confidently fired past Weaver to put the visitors in front on 57 minutes.
The Bulls extended their lead on 64 minutes, Ollie Fearon beating the offside trap to drill the ball across Weaver and into his right-hand corner from just inside the box.
Fearon completed the scoring on 83 minutes, latching onto a D’Laryea through ball he fired a low drive past the advancing Weaver to seal the points for The Bulls.
Captain Sam O’Malley came to the home sides rescue in the dying minutes and in turn denied Fearon his hat trick when he blocked a goal bound effort from the striker.
Video courtesy of Darren Shaw see more at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlbPoS2n-ZWBN3TCEia4GA
AFC Mansfield: White, Annable, Dudley (Timons 70), Plummer, Austin, D’Laryea, Williams, Patterson, Fearon, Bradshaw (Hughes 62), Karkach. Subs not used: Wright, Naylor & Wilson
Referee: Mr Jan Suchecki
Assistants: Mr Benn Cass & Mr Anthony Murphy
MoM: Danny Patterson
Att: 78