Rovers fall at the first hurdle in the FA Cup

Barton Rovers’ FA Cup campaign came to an end at the first hurdle as they were beaten 2-1 away to Romford, despite a much-improved second-half performance.

Romford started brightly and created the first real openings, with Freddie Tandon seeing an early header cleared off the line before heading another chance wide from a Jonathon Evans corner.

Barton had an early effort of their own through Jadell Brown-Bleau, but Romford continued to threaten and took the lead after eight minutes. A long ball from Ben Sargent found Jaxon Brown, who finished past Matt Boylan to put the hosts ahead.

Barton responded well and had opportunities to get back into the game. Ben McCrow saw an effort blocked by Boylan following a defensive mistake, before Barton broke forward and Lucas Jordan’s cross created another opening. McCrow later fired wide, while a Barton corner was also blocked by the Romford defence.

The hosts doubled their advantage shortly before half-time when Jaxon Brown was brought down inside the area by Boylan. Jonathan Evans stepped up from the penalty spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

George Joyce had a late effort over the bar before the break, but Barton returned from half-time with much more attacking intent.

That pressure eventually paid off in the 64th minute. Mustafa Said picked up the ball outside the box and fired a low effort towards the corner, halving the deficit and giving Rovers a route back into the tie.

Just two minutes later, Barton nearly levelled. Tyrone Shiham’s effort beat the goalkeeper but crashed off the top of the crossbar.

Rovers continued to see plenty of the ball as the second half went on, with a number of corners and long throws from Murphy Culkin putting pressure on the Romford defence. However, the final ball and finishing needed to find an equaliser never quite came.

Boylan was eventually sent forward for the late set pieces as Barton pushed for a leveller, but Romford managed to hold on and progress to the Preliminary Round.

Despite the defeat, Barton showed plenty of fight after the break and will now turn their full attention towards the league campaign.