Report: Barnton 0-2 Colls

Collieries moved into the semi-finals of the Division One Cup with a 2-0 victory over Barnton at Townfield. A first half quick fire double from Jordan Cover was enough to separate the two sides. In the latest instalment of what is the North West Counties Friday night football phenomenon, the Colls travelled to Barnton for part 2 of the double header between the two sides. Barnton who were defeated 2-1 by Colls at Alder House just two Friday's ago in the league were out for revenge in the Reusch First Division Cup Quarter-Final. In the middle of a tough month, in which Colls are battling it out in two other cup competitions as well as important league fixtures, manager Michael Clegg was afforded the luxury of 'resting' top scorer Mark Battersby and dropping captain Brad Cooke to the bench. With the squad amassed by Cleggy this season, it wasn't a problem as Jordan Cover turned in a man of the match performance upfront, capped with a quick fire double that saw the Colls safely through. His first came on 13 minutes when he found himself clean through on the Barnton goal, he cooly finished past Danny Lever at the second attempt after the keeper kept out his first shot with a smart save. As the cheers were still ringing out from The Crazy Gang, Cover doubled his tally and Colls lead within 60 seconds. A superb throughball from stand in skipper Kris Holt found Cover clean through again. His pace saw him burst in the box and finish past Lever from an acute angle with the ball going in off the far post. Barnton were shocked and it wouldn't be unfair to say they could have found themselves further behind. Cover could have had a first half hat-trick but for a fantastic save by Lever, while Iain Howard and Gaz Peet both made nuisances of themselves and caused the Barnton defence no end of trouble. However they stood firm and the teams went in at half-time with Colls two goals to the good. Barnton who were under the charge of Leon Knight for the evening with first team manager Allan Glover away started the second half much better. His words at the interval made an impact and A couple of efforts on Danny Taberners goal could have made the difference if it wasn't for a few inches. Firstly Tabs was beaten by a sweetly struck shot but was saved by the woodwork, while another Barnton effort flew just over the crossbar. 'Perhaps the bit of luck you need when competing in a number of cup competitions in as many weeks.' As the game wore on, Colls regrouped and took charge of the game, and without really threatening the goal apart from a few half chances, more importantly they didn't allow Barnton the chance to get back in the game. With what looked a little knock and maybe as precaution, Jordan Cover was replaced on 70 minutes by young Mark Adams, another youngster being given a chance by the management team, which is always good to see. A couple of subs for both teams in the final 20 minutes saw out the game, Colls weathered the second-half fightback from Barnton and were well on their way into another semi-final, the damage done in a frantic first-half 60 seconds. The following day the draw for the semi-final was made at half-time of the Cammell Laird v Cheadle Town game. With playing our game on the Friday we got lucky as Saturday's Quarter-Final ties were all washouts. The semi-final draw in full: Atherton Collieries v Northwich Flixton Villa or Litherland Remyca. AFC Darwen or Hanley Town v Ashton Town or Oldham Boro Ties will be over one leg with dates to be arranged. Match Report - Non League Review - www.nonleaguereview.co.uk - @ReviewNonLeague