Following a rare week off from Footballing action, Barwell returned to LE9 to take on high flying Stratford Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round. Barwell got off to a hot start, a long throw by Jahdahn Fridye-Harper was only half cleared by the visitors, the ball falling to Ethan Hill but his effort curled just over the bar. Barwell were forced into an early change thanks to an injury sustained by Isaiah Osbourne, he was replaced by Lathaniel Rowe-Turner. The game petered out a bit following this early sub, both sides defending extremely well under pressure from the opponent's attack. A first yellow card was brandished to the Canaries, Leroy Lita the recipient after his protests towards the official. Barwell grew more into the game just after the half hour mark, a swift counter attack found Deen Master but his tight angled shot was blocked. The home side would take a deserved lead after 35 minutes, Herve Pepe Ngoma’s cross finding the head of Leroy Lita, no chance for the visiting keeper. Barwell kept up the pressure and came close again in the 43rd minute, Master trying his luck from distance but his effort flew over the bar. In first half stoppage time Barwell came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage, Fridye-Harper’s low cross was flicked goalward by Lita but the ball bounced just wide.

Half-Time: Barwell 1-0 Stratford Town

Stratford came out of the blocks for the second half, guns blazing, putting immense pressure on the Barwell backline, an acrobatic Pepe Ngoma clearance needed at one point to keep the scoreline 1-0. The second half slowed right down in the 58th minute, a nasty looking head injury sustained by Rowe-Turner delayed proceedings, but the defender was deemed ok to continue. A minute after the restart there was another head injury, this time to Rowe-Turner’s centre back partner Scott McManus but this time it was quickly dealt with and play resumed. Barwell slowly grew back into the game, coming close through Master again but like before his shot went over the crossbar. A second booking was shown to a Barwell man, this time Fridye-Harper being punished for obstructing a throw-in. In the 75th minute, Barwell came so close to grabbing that second goal, a beautiful passage of play from defence to attack saw Ethan Hill burst into the box but his curled shot went narrowly high and wide. Barwell made their second substitution with 80 on the clock, goalscorer Lita was replaced by Kieron Berry. Master was involved once again in the 81st minute, his low driven shot was saved by the Stratford keeper. A third Barwell change was made in the 84th minute, Jiah Medrano entering play in place of Koby Arthur. With time ticking away Barwell were being pushed further and further back towards their own goal, but a brilliant tackle from Olly Brown-Hill stopped a dangerous looking counter attack from the visitors to relieve some of the pressure. A groan echoed around Kirkby Road as it was announced there would be 11 minutes of additional time but it didn’t seem to phase Barwell, they came close again in the 93rd minute through Berry but his shot went just wide of the left hand post. McManus was shown a yellow card a minute later and in doing so gave away a free kick in a dangerous position but the resulting set piece was a routine stop for Will Highland. Barwell made a final two changes in the 99th and 100th minutes respectively, Ben Challinor and Jack Rogers coming on for Master and Hill. Barwell were able to hold on and progress to the First Round of the FA Trophy. Their next game is on Saturday away at St.Ives Town in the league.

Full-Time: Barwell 1-0 Stratford Town
MOTM: Leroy Lita
Att: 224