Jimmy Ginnelly's men had another useful pre-season workout on Tuesday evening (18 July) when they ran out 2-1 victors over National League North outfit Tamworth.

The game got off to an even start, with one of the evening's two Barwell trialists failing to capitalise on a mistake in the Tamworth defence before the visitors' Maslen Jones stung the palms of Max Smith-Varnam in the opening ten minutes.

Barwell took the lead in the 14th minute of the game, as Matt Stenson drove forward and floated in a cross for a Barwell trialist to smash home a neat finish and give his side the lead.

The game then settled down, with a couple of good chances for each side before the teams went in at the break.

Andy Morrell's half time team talk must have had an impact on the away side, who started the second half brightly. Three minutes into the second, Tamworth's Davis hit a powerful shot which drew a good save out of Max Smith-Varnam. A minute later, after successive corners, Tamworth got themselves level after Maslen Jones powered his header into the back of the net.

One of the Barwell trialists, who will undoubtedly feel let down by his finishing on the night, was then replaced by Saint Kitts and Nevis international Ryan Robbins.

In the 55th minute, Tamworth left back Steph Morley fired a dangerous shot at goal, which Max Smith-Varnam managed to flick on to the crossbar with his fingertip.

A couple more Barwell substitutions followed, with Courtney Meade replacing Matt Stenson and, five minutes later, Ryan Baldwin also making his way on to the field.

Just seconds after coming on, Baldwin ran in behind the Tamworth defence and slotted the ball past visiting goalkeeper Dan Jezeph. Barwell saw out the game comfortably for the last twenty minutes, and wrapped up the 2-1 victory.

Speaking after the game, Barwell manager Jimmy Ginnelly said: "Fantastic minutes in the bank for the players and fantastic that Andy (Morell, Tamworth manager) brought a good squad. To beat a side in the league above us is a great result for the boys. I like to be in a good place in pre-season, it's a phrase I use quite heavily with the lads."

Ginnelly was also full of praise for youngster Ryan Baldwin. "He's one of our up-and-coming stars. I found him 18 months ago in the Leamington youth team, brought him in to training last year and introduced him into around 15 substitute appearances last season.

"He got the winner at the King Power and just keeps improving. The subs did will tonight and he (Baldwin) has got it in his locker. The kid's a threat. If he carries on developing the way he is, he's going to be a great player."

Jimmy also gave an update on Luke Barlone. "I've stayed in touch with Luke three or four times a day. He's very down at the minute and lost his job through the injury. Me, Dave Laing and everyone at Barwell will do something for the lad, we always do."

The manager also had some words on his targets for the upcoming season, and how his recruitment process is coming along this summer.

"Massive target to improve immensely on the 14th place finish last year. We've re-grouped, had a break, come back very hungry and I'll be amazed if we finish outside of the top 10 this year."

"(The recruitment process) is fantastic. I've got a lot of friends in football, my phone book's full of under-23 managers. They always ring me and ask me if I'll take a player. What I'll never do is say no. I'll always bring them in, have a look. The two right backs we've had in recently, from Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City, have done well. If they can't get a place somewhere in the Football League then Barwell's the best place for them."

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Barwell XI: Smith-Varnam; Kay, Townsend, Stanley, Nisevic; Trialist, Julien, Hildreth, Bates; Stenson, Trialist.

Subs: Robbins, Turner, Baldwin, Meade, Daly.

Half-Time: 1-0

Full Time: 2-1

Scorers: Trialist, Baldwin.

Barwell Football Club

Barwell FC

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