6 FOOTBALL: Barnton claim promotion prize

What? North West Counties League Division One promotion play-off final

When? May 14

Where? Townfield Lane

Barnton climbed to the highest level in their history as a reward for beating Bacup Borough in a promotion play-off final watched by more than 500 people at Townfield Lane.

The Villagers were superior, of not by much, to their guests and deserved a 2-0 victory earned for them by goals from Jason McShane and substitute Ryan Malone.

It was chairman Ian Ross’ finest hour since he had arrived at the club, with the team at rock-bottom, four years earlier.

“Barnton are in the best shape that they’ve ever been,” said his successor Mark Griffiths.

How we reported it: http://bit.ly/1ZRBldT

How we Tweeted it:

Our sports writer remembers:

“It was a scorching hot afternoon at Townfield Lane and, with it being pretty much the only game for miles around that, a bumper crowed gathered to watch one of Barnton’s finest hours.

“They had only made a move from the Cheshire League the previous season, classifying a respectable seventh.

“But chairman Ian Ross, an ambitious guy who loves his football, had wanted the Villagers to assemble a side capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier Division.

“Their route there was not without a bump in the road or two, and Leon Knight’s unexpected departure a manager in February risked knocking them off course.

“However a combination of senior player Danny Meadowcroft and former Witton Albion boss Brian Pritchard steered them to a third-place finish.

“Their side was braver than visitors Bacup, and deserved their victory as a result. It was cagey though, and Richie Mottram’s flying save in extra time was as important as goals scored by Jason McShane and substitute Ryan Malone.”

Northwich Guardian:

Jason McShane jumps to meet a cross from which he puts Barnton in front during a play-off final success against Bacup Borough. Picture: John Rooney/JPR Photo