Report
Pennant’s excellent run of eight league games without defeat came to an end on Saturday in controversial style at Wadham Lodge.
Two deflected goals and a several disputed refereeing decisions added up to a 2-1 win for the visitors.
The Lilywhites, with Paul Tresadern leading the attack, started brightly. Rovers’ direct long ball style and solid defending gave them a foothold in the contest.
But Pennant took a deserved lead on 21 minutes with a beautifully-worked goal from Carlton Campbell.
Sam Underhill crossed the ball from deep on the left hand side. The ball went over Barton’s giant centre-backs and landed at Campbell’s feet. He brought the ball to the apex of the six yard box and slammed it into the far corner of the net.
The visitors were back on level terms within six minutes when Kieron Carey’s excellent shot took a slight deflection before beating Russell Ling in the home goal.
It was not long before Barton took the lead. A free kick 30 yards out was slammed against the defensive wall by Robert Messina. The ball took such a wild deflection that Ling, once again, had no chance to stop it going into the net.
The referee had already booked several Pennant players while some fierce challenges from Rovers had gone unpunished.
Shortly before the interval, he sent off Michael Milton after a prolonged melee in the Lilywhites’ goalmouth. Barton’s Brett Donnelly seemed to have instigated the incident but he stayed on the field until he was substituted by his manager.
The second half was almost completely one-sided as Pennant’s camped in their visitors’ half in search of an equaliser.
Rovers gave away a succession of free kicks, though their fouls continued to go unpunished by the referee.
The away side kept 11 men behind the ball to protect their lead and keeper Brad Gillham made a series of excellent saves.
After the 90 minutes were up, 12 minutes of stoppage time were played, but still the Lilywhites could not find a way through and were forced to accept defeat.