Barton United Reserves....SCOTT Taylor scored twice as Barton United reserves beat Tamworth United in extra-time to reach the final of the Burton FA TAG Divisional Cup at Holland Sports Ground.
Andrew Chambers also scored, with Wayne Thompson striking for the visitors to take the semi-finel tie to 120 minutes.
On a bitterly cold afternoon, Barton started well, with a decent effort from Chambers deflected for a corner.
On 10 minutes, Mitchell Millington climbed highest to hit the bar with a powerful header from an inviting Simon Challoner corner.
Tamworth replied and Dave Buckner sent an optimistic effort just over.
But the action soon switched back to the other end with a Leon Evans defence-splitting pass releasing Richard Lindsay but his cross-shot flew unchecked across the six-yard box.
Then a Challoner free kick was turned around the post by visting keeper Andrew Athersmith.
Keeping up the pressure, Lindsay dragged his shot wide and when Oliver Hayes was robbed in the box by Stuart Walker a goal looked inevitable but the striker saw his shot blocked by Tom Deakin.
Walker did much better moments later when his fierce cross-shot flew just wide.
The visitors finished the half with two decent strikes.
First, Danny Jackson saw his shot saved and then player-manager Dave Stagg intercepted a ball from Dawson and surged clear down the right before his lofted cross-cum-shot dropped inches over the angle of the woodwork.
Tamworth should have taken the lead two minutes after the restart when a superb pass from Hayes sent Thompson clean through on goal, but although the striker easily lifted the ball over the advancing keeper it drifted wide of an empty net.
Thompson tried to make amends when he turned sharply in the box, bur a crucial tackle from Newton denied the striker.
Barton responded well, with Challoner and Evans combining to give Walker a chance, but the powerfully built striker’s shot rippled the side netting.
On the hour, Barton keeper Michael Graves made a fine reaction save to keep out a Deakin piledriver.
Then midfielder Frank Hanna was also denied by the keeper.
On 76 minutes, Lindsay won the ball in midfield before surging forward and shooting inches over.
A minute later Barton edged ahead with a fine goal.
Lindsay picked out Walker, who held the ball up well before laying it off to Taylor, who unleased a super strike that gave Athersmith no chance.
On 84 minutes, the visitors were gifted the equaliser.
Hayes hit a routine ball forward over Barton’s back four, Graves came out to boot it clear, but missed it completely and allowed Thompson to run the ball into an empty net.
Barton went flat-out for the winner, with a Taylor free kick deflected over the bar off the visitors’ defensive wall and Dawson firing narrowly wide.
Two goals in the first half of extra-time gave the visitors a mountain to climb.
On 95 minutes, another dangerous corner from Challoner was not dealt with and when the ball fell to Chambers, the full-back set himself before crashing an unstoppable volley past Athersmith.
Chambers continued to threaten, with a jinking run ending with a shot just wide.
Three minutes after going 2-1 up, Barton made the game safe.
A low cross from the byline fell to Taylor Millington, who shinned his shot straight to Taylor, who promptly smashed it in from close range.
Barton continued to press, with Challoner firing just over, Athersmith saving from Taylor Millington and Daniel Hickinbottom firing just past the post.
GOALS: Taylor 77, 98, Chambers 95 (Barton); Thompson 84 (Tamworth).
BARTON STAR MAN: Mitchell Millington – a towering presence at the back.
REFEREE: Karl Jeffries (Shobnall).
