Congleton Town 4 Barnoldswick Town 3

BARNOLDSWICK Town had skipper Arley Barnes sent off as they suffered defeat in their opening North West Counties League Premier Division game.

With his side trailing 4-2, the defender was shown a second yellow card in the 80th minute when he brought down Congleton's Sam Marshall.

It said a lot for Barnoldswick's spirit that they actually pulled a goal back while down to ten men when the unmarked Shaun Airey fired a half volley into the net.

The visitors had trailed 4-1 with 20 minutes to go and will feel that they might have got something out of the game if they had taken some of their earlier chances.

One of the best opportunities arrived in the opening minutes. Striker Joe Gaughan fired over an open goal.

Congleton went ahead in the 16th minute when a quick throw-in allowed Scott McGowan to play a one-two with Eder Ruiz before guiding the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Five minutes after setting up the first goal, Ruiz created another as his free-kick from the right was met by Andy Alston at the far post to give the Bears a two-goal cushion.

Barnoldswick grew into the game more and should have pulled a goal back when Matthew Kershaw glanced a header just wide before Liam Britton found space in between the centre-backs and lifted the bouncing ball over the on rushing Andy Farrimond to reduce the deficit.

Town almost equalised when a cross from the right found Mark Threlfall but he couldn't direct his header on target.

Congleton went 3-1 up just four minutes after the break. Scott Barlow did well to send McGowan through and the striker made no mistake.

The visitors certainly weren't throwing in the towel. Farrimond was forced to tip Jack Hargreaves' fierce free kick over the bar while Threlfall shot wide when he should have scored.

Congleton looked to have sealed their victory when Jackson played the ball inside to McGowan. After setting up his last goal, he returned the favour to Barlow and played him through to finish left-footed into the bottom corner.

The match looked like it was over but Barnoldswick had other ideas as Jackson headed Hargreaves' lob off the line before Gaughan drilled home a penalty after Threlfall was fouled.

The sending off of Barnes and the late strike by Airey meant there was a tense finish to the game, but Congleton clung on to the three points.