BARTON ladies travelled to Derby Asterdale for the first of two scheduled friendly fixtures before they get back to league action on January 28, and returned having suffered a 3-1 defeat.
The visitors fielded guest Sophie Manning and debutant Jane Kirkland in an unusual, but relatively strong, line-up.
It was the home side who started the stronger, however, immediately putting their pacy attacking play into action and catching Barton on their heels.
The visitors’ cause was not helped by the fact that they were forced into an early change as the influential Julie Manning was forced off the field due to an injury after five minutes.
The opening exchanges were controlled by Derby as Barton’s defensive line of Amanda Kirkland, Helen Bloxham, Carol Watson and Hannah Smith looked unusually shaky.
Derby took the lead from a penalty stroke after Amanda Kirkland had kicked the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal.
Soon afterwards, the home side doubled their advantage through a penalty corner routine which left Burton goalkeeper Connie Wain wrongfooted.
It was only with 10 minutes of the half remaining that Barton finally began to play.
Good work from Steph Welch and Justine Woodcock created a few half-chances, but none could be converted.
The mini-revival continued into the second half as Barton grabbed a goal back through Jane Kirkland.
Barton pressed for the equaliser, but despite the efforts of Jo Preston and Beckie Hickman up front, a second goal was not forthcoming.
As Barton went in search of a goal, they were undone at the back.
Unable to pick up the good leading runs of the Derby forwards, one surge into the D led to a penalty corner, which the hosts duly converted.
The final scoreline was not ideal for the visitors, but it was a good lesson learnt in the build-up to the forthcoming league fixtures.
The team will need to continue to train hard and work on their fitness for the next two weeks in order to be up to speed to continue their battle for Midland League Division Two survival.
This weekend sees the ladies take on Matlock in a 2.30pm push-back at Uttoxeter.
