The Marches One League

Wotton-under-Edge 3rds 5 Cheltenham C 2

AN unexpected hat-trick from three members of the Barton family helped Wotton-under-Edge finish their season with victory at Cheltenham.

With Dominic Barton named for his thirds debut, the afternoon turned surreal when Dave Barton received a late call-up to make his maiden appearance.

By the time the afternoon was up, they had a goal each alongside Chris Barton, who danced through the defence for the third family goal.

Benjy Wells and Darren Pearce also scored in a complete team performance and Wotton should be well satisfied with their afternoon efforts in the Cheltenham College sunshine.

Cheltenham opened the scoring before Wotton hit back with Wells planting a flick past the keeper from a short corner.

Then Barton Snr got his stick to the end of Luke Messer’s driven pass into the D before Chris Barton waltzed around the D and planted the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.

With Patrick Carr, Kieran Latimer and Messer controlling the midfield and very little getting past Eames, Wells and the ever-solid Ben Gough in goal, this was a game Wotton were mostly in control of. Lazily floating the ball to and fro, Wotton dominated, building attacks down the wings through Messer and Carr.

However, Cheltenham hit back with a strong counter with 10 minutes to go. Inspired to get back into the game, Wotton did not step off, and Pearce’s perfect lift into the back of the netting over the keeper took the game beyond the hosts.

That left Dominic Barton to finish off at the far post after brother Chris’ drive into the D and shot from the top.

Wotton-under-Edge Men’s 3rds: Dave Barton, Dominic Barton, Christopher Barton, Pat Carr, Ben Eames (capt), Jonny Glover, Ben Gough, Kieran Latimer, Luke Messer, Darren Pearce, Benjy Wells.