Football
Town end 2011 with Barton draw

Buy photos » Seb Hamilton maintains possession at Barton. Picture by Martin Pulley.

Barton Rovers 1 Rugby Town 1

Southern League Division One Central

SEB Lake-Gaskin’s first half goal ensured Rugby rounded off 2011 with a point at Barton on New Year’s Eve.

After the heavy Boxing Day defeat at Bedworth, boss Dave Stringer welcomed the return of captain Nik Preston after suspension whilst Robbie Banks returned to the starting line-up after injury.

On a sticky pitch and in blustery conditions, Rugby started the game well and created the first opportunity of the contest after nine minutes but Seb Hamilton was off target from Tyrone Fagan’s accurate pass.

Central defender Ed Booth then poked the ball wide from ten-yards from Luke Leahy’s cross in the 16th minute but despite the encouraging start from the visitors, neither goalkeeper was really being tested.

The first save of the game did not come until the 35th minute when the impressive looking Ricky Case forced a good save from Pete Smith from close range.

Rugby made the breakthrough four minutes before half time when good build up play saw Hamilton cross for Lake-Gaskin to get in front of the defender and score from six-yards.

Leahy and Booth both had chances to extend the lead before the interval but were unable to make them count.

Barton came out the stronger of the two sides at the start of the second half and were playing the better football.

They were rewarded in the 62nd minute when Russell Bull drew them level after Rugby struggled to clear.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the contest but the contest nearly ended on a superb note for the visitors when Lake-Gaskin hit the bar with a brilliant volley which proved to be the last kick of the game.