Report by Jools Thomas

FC travelled to Barton Rovers keen to keep pace with leaders Kettering Town in the hope that any slip up from the runaway leaders could offer a glimmer hope to the Moles’ in their quest for automatic promotion. In the end, FC returned from Bedfordshire pointless. A swirling wind made any quality football impossible and a solitary goal from a well worked free kick was enough for the home team.

The first action of the game occurred in the FC box when a corner was met by Kev Kilroy and his effort was blocked by Adam Logie. FC’s first attack of note was on 7 minutes. Gareth Price broke clear and put in a shot which beat home keeper Kyle Forster but also the far post. A couple of minutes later Ryan O’Toole again broke clear from the home teams’ high defensive line and this time Forster was forced to make a save to prevent a goal.

FC were beginning to settle as they played down the slope however the swirling breeze gave little real advantages as passes were over hit and lofted passes flew out for throw-ins. Dave Deeney did hit a free kick against the wall and this took out the sting allowing Forster to gather but this was a rare moment of inspiration.

At the other end, the tricky Ben Sawyer put in a shot that deflected away for a corner and this was followed by FC’s best chance of the game thus far. Brian Haule was allowed to spin in the box and only a fingertip save prevented the Moles grabbing the lead. From the corner Ryan O’Toole had a golden chance but once again the home keeper was equal to it. Not long afterwards Dave Deeney played in Adam Logie and Adam attempted an audacious chip on the half volley that only just cleared the bar.

This was only the prelude to the only goal of the game. A needlessly conceded free kick on the edge of the FC box was floated into the area as away defenders ball watched. Rhys Hoenes, possibly the smallest man on the pitch, reacted quickest and planted a diving header past James Weatherill. Brian Haule immediately had a chance to equalise but struck his shot powerfully into the side netting.

Barton finished the half much the stronger of the teams. Firstly Ben Sawyer saw his run on goal blocked by Weatherill and then the young Moles keeper produced one of the saves of the season as he tipped Joe Reynolds’ rasping 25 yard drive around the post.

The second half saw the home team kicking down the slope yet it was the visitors who created the first chance. Bradley Wadkins played in Brian Haule forcing Forster into a block. Weatherill produced his second save of note from Kev Kilroy after good work from Sawyer. From this point on however the quality of the game declined. Each team made changes in an attempt to boss affairs yet it was the weather that really dictated the game.

There were rare moments of quality for example when Sawyer’s drive just cleared the bar. A desperate final minute for the Moles saw Logie deliver a long range throw in yet as Wadkins flicked the ball goalwards, the referee noticed an infringement and FC’s last chance had gone.