THE AWAY END - Barton Rovers

BARTON ROVERS

Nickname: The Rovers
Manager: Chris Robson
Stadium: The Winton Haulage Stadium
Capacity: 4,000

Barton Rovers make the trip to New Lodge from the Southern League Division One Central, a step below the Isthmian Premier League, and arrive on the back of a promising start to both league and cup competitions.

Chris Robson took charge over the summer, succeeding Jermaine Hall, who had guided the Bedfordshire side to a fourth-place finish last season before they fell 2–0 to Flackwell Heath in the play-off semi-final.

The new campaign has begun brightly. Rovers have collected seven points from their opening three league fixtures, with victories over Marlow and Leverstock Green followed by a draw against Hitchin Town on Monday. Leading the line is forward Albie Hall, who has already found the net four times in three league games.

Their cup form has been mixed. Barton booked their place at New Lodge courtesy of a 2–0 win over Brantham Athletic in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, with Josiah Ramsay and Lucas Jordan on target. But their most recent visit to Essex ended in disappointment, as they bowed out of the FA Trophy with a 3–1 defeat to Brightlingsea Regent – their only loss of the season so far.

This afternoon marks the first meeting between the sides in almost 16 years. The Blues last faced Barton in November 2009, when goals from Danny Green (2) and James Baker secured a 3–0 replay victory in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round, after a 2–2 draw in Bedfordshire.

There is deeper history too. Back in February 1978, Barton knocked us out of the FA Vase at the fifth-round stage, denying the Blues a chance to win the competition for a third consecutive year. The setback proved short-lived, however, as we lifted a third FA Vase in four years the following season.

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