Barton Rovers 1 Uxbridge 0

IT wasn't the start to the season that Uxbridge were looking for, as they went down to a Barton side who had finished mid-table in Division Two last year.

Barton settled the quicker of the two sides. The should have taken the lead after just five minutes when Keith Coughlan was left unmarked from a corner, but he headed the ball down and the unpredictable bounce took the ball high over the bar. However the warning signs were not heeded and Barton did take the lead on 17 minutes in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Gavin Bamford was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the centre circle. The resulting free kick was pumped into the area, where Daryl Pelton parried the ball just under the crossbar, but the aforementioned Coughlan was on hand to head the ball into the net.

Uxbridge began the second half with far more purpose, and almost snatched an equaliser three minutes in. Lee Tunnell got the bounce of the ball on the edge of the box, and he took the ball on a couple of strides before attempting to chip Gillham, however the Barton keeper was just able to palm the ball away to safety from under the crossbar.

Barton though should have doubled their lead with just two minutes remaining. The lively Coughlan was put through on goal, and as Pelton came out to meet him, the Uxbridge keeper clipped the striker and a penalty was awarded.

Pelton was fortunate to only receive a yellow card, and he was allowed to face the penalty, which substitute Robert Pasina smacked against the bar, the ball bouncing to safety.