A “different class” performance and 35-yard screamer from Adrian Martins failed to bag all three points for a AFC who dominated Saturday’s league tie.

Border League Div One

Wheeley Athletic 2 Barnston AFC 1

A “different class” performance and 35-yard screamer from Adrian Martins failed to bag all three points for a AFC who dominated Saturday’s league tie.

AFC manager Leighton Williams was almost at a loss to explain how his side had been beaten by second from bottom Wheeley as numerous chances went begging.

After seeing Wheeley grab an early lead through a lack of concentration at the back and against the run of play, then grab all three points with a fortunate own goal he said: “When you look at the league table and the run of results for us, this was a poor defeat.

“But those watching the game will tell you that the passing and moving of the Barnston team was excellent. Weeley soon found themselves leaving just one up front and defending deep in numbers as we dominated.

“Adrian got the man of the match award for a fantastic display in the centre of midfield alongside the impressive Luke Nash, and he capped this performance with a great 35-yard goal.

“But Carl Powell would surely have been in the hunt for this award had his ankle not gone after 55 minutes, as he was terrorising the home defence down the left wing. And Jack Butcher put in a great effort at centre back.

“While we lost, there wasn’t anything wrong in the way they played, and no one had a bad game. We lost a game they controlled due to a huge lack of concentration for the first goal, and a freak of an own goal for the second.

“It just happens that when you are on a bad run of results, things go against you, and today it did. If we carry on playing in this style then winning ways will soon return, and people will continue to enjoy watching us play.”

Next: Barnston have no game this weekend and currently sit seventh in the league.