DEBUTANT goalkeeper Craig Reid kept a clean sheet for Barnston as they swept Boxted aside in a two-nil victory.

Boxted Lodgers 0 Barnston AFC 2

DEBUTANT goalkeeper Craig Reid kept a clean sheet for Barnston as they swept Boxted aside in a two-nil victory.

Goals from Gareth Heard and Tim Shaw sealed the deal as the visitors moved up the league and welcomed back some important names into the starting eleven.

Dave Canning returned at centre back, Adam Emery came back from suspension at left back, Justin Brown returning in centre midfield, and goal-scorer Shaw returning up front.

Heard’s goal came after nine minutes. A long ball up field from Reid was won well by Pledger and flicked on for Tim Shaw.

The ball bounced high and Shaw out-jumped the centre back to flick the ball on towards goal.

Heard chased and slipped the ball past the keeper to his side a deserved lead.

The game now settled into a rhythm where Barnston dominated possession, and played some wonderful passing and attacking football but failed to score again before half time.

Barnston started the second half as they had finished the first. It was near total domination, and at times only the Boxted keeper was keeping the home side in the game.

On 64 minutes Barnston finally found the second and conclusive goal.

A set piece was delivered into the Boxted goalmouth and Jimmy Laird leapt and headed goal-ward.

The ball went through the home keeper only to hit the post and bounce out. A number of players had followed the ball in, and it was the impressive Shaw who managed to bundle the ball home.

Barnston continued to dominate and closed out the game comfratbly and were unlucky not to win by more.

Manager Leighton Williams said: “We worked very hard and were at times completely dominating in the middle of the park.

“It was a very good win. Craig Reid was the fifth goal keeper used this season and yet seemed comfortable in the set up straight away, his range of kicking was a great addition to the side.”

The result saw Barnston move up to forth in the league.

Next: Barnston travel to Foxash Social for a first division match. Kick off 2pm.