Last year both clubs were members of the Evo Stik Southern League East Division but it was a miserable campaign for Arlesey who finished bottom and were relegated to return to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division (Step 5) for the first time since the year 2000 so this pre-season friendly played last night may well be the only time the two Bedfordshire local rival's play each other.
This was a fantastically entertaining match with all the players showing full commitment which is sometimes missing from pre-season games. There were lots of chances created by both sides with both management teams taking lots of positives from the game. There was the usual raft of substitutions in the second half but the game continued to be decent - Barton had a penalty well saved late on in the game which was a talking point in itself. They had an appeal for a spot kick turned down and then a few seconds later the referee gave one for a challenge in the box. Have a look at the replays and see what you make of them? I think the incident which wasn't given was more of a penalty than the one that was given - VAR at the World Cup may of given it!
Barton kept the pressure on and won the game with a late goal to win The John Milton Plate for now.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
