THE FA CUP

Sponsored by Budweiser

Barton Rovers 0-0 Boreham Wood

By John D Gill

Boreham Wood are still in the F.A. Challenge Cup with Budweiser, despite only managing a rather disappointing 0 – 0 draw at Calor Football League Division One Central side Barton Rovers.

Barton Rovers have only lost one game so far this Season, and therefore Wood knew they would have a tough battle on their hands at Sharpenhoe Road.

Barton Rovers had the first attack of the match in only the first minute, when James Russell was forced to make a diving save, to keep a Bobby Dance shot from wide on the right, out of his net.

At the other end a Billy Lobjoit free kick found Matty Whichelow in the Barton penalty area, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Barton Rovers attacked again and a goal bound shot from Alex O’Brien was deflected wide for a corner.

Wood then gained a corner kick when a Greg Morgan long throw was forced behind at the near post by ‘keeper Grant Beckwith. Barton Rovers conceded a number of free kicks outside their penalty area, but Wood failed to take advantage as the home defence played with determination.

Midway through the first half Greg Morgan, who was causing many problems on the left for Wood, tried a right footed shot that went inches wide of the far post. Seconds later Billy Lobjoit shot high and wide of goal.

Wood continued to attack and forced two successive corner kicks, which came to nothing. Ten minutes before the interval Barton Rovers Captain, Tommy Hull, was deservedly shown a yellow card for a foul on Jake Woolley as he prepared to shoot at goal from just outside the penalty area. Mario Noto took the free kick but shot wide of the goal.

With the Wood defence in dominating form, ably lead by Skipper Charlie O’Loughlin, the home side were restricted to long range shots, and both Alex O’Brien and Paul Barnes shot wide of the target.

Wood went straight onto the attack after the interval and immediately defender Ben Nunn had a tremendous long range shot just tipped over the crossbar by Grant Beckwith. Then both Lobjoit and Woolley had shots blocked in front of the Barton Rovers goal.

Barton Rovers created their best chance of the game after seventy minutes when a Bobby Dance effort struck the bottom of the Wood goal post. Five minutes later Wood had to substitute the dangerous Greg Morgan, who hobbled off with an injury.

Wood Substitute Raheem Sterling-Parker had an opportunity to score eleven minutes from the end but the ball ended up in the side netting of the Barton goal.

Both teams continued to battle hard for a result, but in the end the score remained at 0 – 0 and the tie will have to be replayed at Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park ground, on Monday evening.

Team: Russell, Nunn, Jibodu, Cox, O’Loughlin, Garrard, Noto, Whichelow (Sub – Ball 80 mins.), Woolley, Lobjoit, Morgan (Sub – Sterling-Parker 75 mins.).