JAMES Sigsworth’s late strike earned Barnton a victory they deserved in their opening game of the new North West Counties League season at home to Haughmond.
It looked like fortune might be against them as the clash unfolded, having four goals disallowed, missing a penalty and hitting the woodwork several times.
But man-of-the-match Jack Smith produced a defence-splitting pass for Sigsworth to gleefully find the back of the net in the 88th minute.
Earlier, Jack McKean’s 17th-minute strike for The Villagers cancelled out Ethan Pickford’s eight-minute opener for the visitors in the First Division South clash.
Smith said: “I think we played well as a collective and on another day we could have scored a lot more.
“We dominated the game and remained confident despite going behind – we finally got there.”
Barnton return to league action at home to Cammell Laird 1907 on Wednesday and then will play their first away game of the new league campaign at Allscott Heath on Saturday.
Northwich Victoria will complete their run of pre-season friendlies against Runcorn Linnets at their Apec Taxis Stadium, which is Vics’ new home ground, on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
Vics came back from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at Nantwich Town in their last outing, courtesy of goals from Kieran Hamm.
Their season starts proper on Sunday when they host Bradford side Campion FC in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, kick-off 4pm.
Meanwhile, Witton Albion, 1874 Northwich and Winsford United have completed their pre-season campaign ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup action.
Witton were beaten at home 4-2 on penalties by Ashton United, after the contest was tied 1-1 in normal time, in the Reg Hardingham Memorial Trophy last Tuesday.
And then in their final pre-season friendly on Friday, they were defeated 3-1 at home by FC United of Manchester.
Lower league Cheadle Town FC will be the visitors to the U Lock It Stadium in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
1874 Northwich will head to Bootle FC in the FA Cup on Friday.
They do so on the back of six wins from six friendlies, the latest being 3-0 at home to Abbey Hey last Tuesday.
Goals from Mike Hayes, Jack Woolley and Kyle Worsley completed the unbeaten pre-season campaign.
Promoted Winsford United make their return to the FA Cup at home to NWCFL Premier Division side West Disbury & Chortlon at Barton Stadium on Saturday.
They go into it on the back of a 1-1 home draw with Shepshed Dynamo in a change of schedule to conclude their string of warm-up games.
Matty Birchall’s goal means Blues go into the season proper unbeaten.
