Norris satisfied with a point as Stotfold hold in-form Barton
Stotfold assistant manager Dan Norris felt his side were worthy of their point when drawing 1-1 at a resurgent Barton Rovers during their Southern League Division One Central clash on Saturday.
The hosts had recovered from a poor start to win their last three matches, although the Eagles went into the game on a fine run of form themselves, having won five in succession.
It looked like they might extend that run to six when Jemale Olayinka put them ahead on 37 minutes.
However, Rovers fought back to level through Rawn Seale with 20 minutes left, as Norris said: “We knew we were coming up against a good, in-form Barton side.
"They've won three on the bounce, arguably we're also a form side and it’s a really tough place to come.
"Barton moved the ball really well, played a nice shape that took us a little bit of time to get on top of and understand where they were trying to get to, how they were playing the ball.
"We didn't really grasp that very well, so going in 1-0 up defending the hill, we thought we were in a good place second half.
“We probably didn't get going as well as we did until the last 15 minutes, where we created some good opportunities in wide areas, so 1-1, we’ll take it.
"If you can’t win, don't lose, it’s one of those.”
Stotfold extended their own unbeaten run to seven games with a 1-1 draw at Hadley on Tuesday night, as after Theophilus Ofori put the hosts in front early on, Pierce Mitchell’s equaliser on the half hour salvaged a point.
The Eagles host Beaconsfield Town this weekend and go to Winslow United on Tuesday evening.
Stotfold’s Reserves were thrashed 6-1 at Ampthill Town in the SSML Division One Cup in midweek, also losing 3-0 at home to Irchester United in the league on Saturday.
» Biggleswade United bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday night as they defeated Sawbridgeworth Town 3-2 in the SSML Premier Division.
With the scores level at 2-2 in the second period, Liam Smyth and Robbie Buchanan on target, Tommy Reynolds fired home the winner in the closing stages to claim all three points.
It saw United put Saturday’s result behind them, as they were defeated 2-1 at Harpenden Town, Smyth on target once more.
Reacting to the loss, assistant coach Paul Donnelly said: “Infuriating, frustrating, it's just the same old story as it’s been for the last few weeks.
"Loads of chances, we don’t take our chances, then they get one and they punish us.
"We had so many good chances again and we just make the wrong decisions or the quality's not quite right. The more we do it, the more we invite the pressure and we're chasing games again. It's like banging your head against a brick wall!
"Maybe we do need to look at a few lads who aren’t playing as well as we need, so maybe we do need to look at a change in personnel.”
United entertain Risborough Rangers this weekend.
» Biggleswade FC suffered a 2-1 defeat at Leverstock Green in their Southern League Division One Central meeting on Saturday, Bradley Bell on target.
They entertain Winslow United at the weekend and then host Royston Town on Monday evening.