Barnston boss pleased at Colne point

Thursday, November 22, 2012
10:22 AM

AFC BARNSTON boss Lee Elliston was pleased with his team’s performance after a battling 1-1 draw at Colne Engaine & Bell United on Saturday.

The unavailability of a handful of players forced Elliston into a number of changes, but his makeshift team – looking to build on last week’s victory – were more than a match for Bell, and probably should have won the game.

“The result was disappointing for the group but there are plenty of positives to pick out of it.

“It was another pleasing team performance with individuals who should be happy with their work ethic, attitude and the football we played on a poor pitch,” said Elliston.

“We were the better side, although I would have liked us to be a more ruthless in the attacking third. It looked like we were the team on show that are second in the table, although that is easy to say over one game – that is why we aren’t up there!

“The last two performances need to be consistent over 10 or 12 games.”

Barnston started brightly enough on a pitch which was not condusive to getting the ball down and playing. However, they moved the ball around well and had much more possession than their hosts.

Adrian Martins came closest for the visitors early on with a shot blazed over the bar and Gordon Wilson saw an effort saved well by the Bell keeper.

Barnston took a deserved lead soon after the break. It was no surprise that Mike Morgan scored it, turning the full back inside out and squeezing a shot from 15 yards inside the near post.

But Bell equalised on 65 minutes when a hopeful ball across the six-yard box was turned into his own net by Aidan Doughty.

The goal gave Colne a lift and a 25-yard effort clipped the outside of the post, although in the main the hosts were restricted to long range efforts and set pieces, which was a credit to Barnston’s shape and work rate.

Just before the final whistle substitute Tom Speller put an unchallenged header wide from six yards which would have given Barnston a deserved victory.