Salter leaves ‘legacy’ behind him as Barnwood United seal promotion on final day with win over Woolaston

Second half goals from Jamie Webley and Corey Warrington were enough for Barnwood to see off relegated Woolaston on Saturday afternoon and confirm a promotion spot in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior Div 2 table, writes Alfie Richmond.

With Woolaston already relegated, the game still held plenty of meaning for Barnwood, who needed all three points to secure promotion in their final match of the season at Coopers Edge on Saturday.

Riley Spencer had a great chance to put the visitors ahead in the opening 6 minutes, when a ball over the top of Barnwood’s defence gave him space to pull the trigger, but his dinked effort looped over the bar.

Josh Fivash made Woolaston pay minutes later, and made it 1-0 to the home side. It was Corey Warrington who drove down the flank, and drilled an effort goalwards – only for it to be parried straight into the path of Fivash, who cushioned home.

The visitors replied instantly and levelled the scoring on 12 minutes. Spencer bundled himself into the box, and his cut-back found Lewis Taylor who smashed in from close range.

Fivash was denied his second of the game on 15 minutes when his effort was smartly stopped by the out-stretched leg of Woolaston’s keeper, Gareth Rose.

On 28 minutes, Matt Pegrum and Dan Smith linked up beautifully well for the hosts, with the latter’s eventual effort trailing just wide. After a frantic first 15 minutes, both sides seemed to settle themselves and the game’s pattern was emerging.

Just minutes of the first half remained when Barnwood missed a huge chance to go into the break 2-1 up. Skipper George Botchett darted down the flank, flashed a cross into the box, and Jamie Robinson blazed over from centimeters out.

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Barnwood were determined to change the course of the tie after the break. Just 3 minutes into the second half, Warrington had a close-range effort well saved by Rose, after he drove into the area and created space for himself.

On 55 minutes, Pegrum’s inswinging corner found Botchett in acres at the far post, but his volley could only find the side-netting.

With 63 minutes on the clock, the hosts finally found their break-through. It was substitute Jamie Webley who finished well after a brilliant cross-field find from Pegrum to put Barnwood 2-1 up.

With ten minutes remaining, Barnwood looked comfortable. The hosts were knocking the ball around patiently, while Woolaston seemed to have run out of legs.

Warrington got himself in on the act with 5 minutes remaining, and sealed not only the victory, but promotion for Barnwood. Matt Davis’ looping through ball found Warrington who calmly put the ball past Rose.

And with the full-time whistle, came the celebrations. A dominant second half saw the hosts secure 3rd place and promotion into Division One.

Barnwood now won’t play until the start of next season’s campaign, while Woolaston face Falcons at home in two weeks time. It will be their final match in division 2 before beginning next season in the North Gloucestershire League.

Barnwood boss Craig Salter said that in the end he was ’relieved’ his side got the job done.

“Playing against these sides that have nothing to play for are always dangerous. We kind of have a reputation where we don’t do well against sides like that. For the lads to get up for it one last time today, I’m chuffed to nuts for them”

With that being Salter’s final game for Barnwood, he touched on how proud his side had made him throughout the season.

“For me to leave a legacy behind of us finishing 3rd and going up, that’s all I needed – all I wanted to do …. All these lads; I believe in. I always have done, right from the start of the season.”

Looking forward to next season, Salter is confident that this Barnwood side are capable of competing at the next level.

“I think this team is capable of going (to the) the next step, and the manager has got a very good squad; whoever it may be.” He said. “Three or four new bodies in, I think these guys can finish comfortably in the table next season.”

Barnwood United: Ridley, Rankin-Woodhouse, Botchett ©, Bick, Joyce, Robinson, Braisby, Warrington, Fivash, Smith, Pegrum.

Subs: Lewis (78’), Hunter (61’), Davis (45’), Webley (49’), Hancock

Subs: Jukes (63’), Hull (67’).

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Corey Warrington (Barnwood United)