A HAT TRICK from Tim Shaw and a crucial double save from goalkeeper Craig Reid sealed a stunning comeback for Barnston at home to fourth-place Clare Town.

Barnston AFC 5 Clare Town 3

A HAT TRICK from Tim Shaw and a crucial double save from goalkeeper Craig Reid sealed a stunning comeback for Barnston at home to fourth-place Clare Town.

The home side were trailing 3-2 five minutes into the second half but turned things around after Reid pulled off a brace of saves to inspire his team mates.

Shaw and Mark Pledger had already scored in the first half but Shaw added two more in the second, before James Cordery sealed a big win for the home side.

Delighted boss Leighton Williams said: “This was a massive win for Barnston AFC, it puts us third in the Essex and Suffolk border league first division.

“But more importantly, it keeps our hopes of finishing third alive. A defeat would have put Clare Town third, three points ahead, with two games in hand.”

He added: “All credit for this win has to go to the players for an excellent second half performance.

“Going up hill in the second half, on a heavy pitch in windy conditions was always going to be tough, but going 3-2 down five minutes into the second made this task seem even more difficult.

“Some team’s heads would have dropped, and they would have gone on to lose by more.

“But after Craig Reid’s double save, we stepped up a gear and took the game to them. Eventually our quality, depth, and determination to succeed, shone through.”

Coming off the back of an impressive 20-1 win against bottom side Bell United AFC dominated the opening exchanges and were unlucky to be drawing two-all at the break.

When they went 3-2 down, Reid kept his team in touch by saving a fierce shot by diving low and then he recovered brilliantly to deny another close range volley.

Shaw then took matters into his own hands by scoring twice in five minutes soon after. His third, and best, was an un-stoppable drive from just inside the box.

Cordery then rounded off a great win with an extraordinary goal. The striker raced clear but stopped when he thought he was offside. With no whistle, and every other player motionless he reacted first and lobbed the loose ball over the keeper from 40 yards.

Next: Barnston host Foxash Social on Saturday. Kick off 2pm.