Barnes smashes sex for in-form Vale

4:37pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

ELTON Vale picked up two victories in a week after the disappointment of defeat on the opening day of the season.

In midweek, the Elton defence took the honours in keeping a busy Hindsford at bay. An early goal from Steve Doran, scooping the ball over the keeper’s head, steadied the Vale nerves but they failed to convert any of the other four chances that could have sealed victory in the first half. Tom Stubbs and Tom Hardman both worked hard down the flanks and had shots saved, but Elton had to wait until the last five minutes before Shaun Carey converted a rebound from a Matty Barnes shot.

On Saturday, Matty Barnes was the hotshot for Elton, scoring six of his side’s eight goals against Breightmet.

Barnes got the first, controlling a ball from Stubbs on his chest and firing in a volley. Damian Berry was involved with the next two, stroking home Jon Maylon’s free-kick then heading a corner back across goal for Lee Stott to poach a goal.

In the last 15 minutes of the half, Barnes struck three more times.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Stubbs laid on another for Barnes. And, Barnes got his sixth from the penalty spot when the referee spotted a Breightmet hand on the ball.

Tom Smith got the reserves’ goal in a 4-1 defeat at Stockport Georgians Elton have two games at home coming up, against Royton Town on Saturday (2pm) and Pennington on Tuesday (6.15pm). The reserves go to Wythenshawe Ams on Saturday (2pm).

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