Forsythe at the double for promotion hopefuls Barton Rovers

A first half brace from Kim Forsythe saw promotion hopefuls Barton Rovers continue their good form with a 2-1 win over Chalfont St Peter in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Saturday.

He netted after 19 and 41 minutes and, although Scott Fitzgerald hit back with a 72nd-minute penalty, the Blues held on to maintain their play-off place and close the gap on top sport to nine points.

Two games in 48 hours showed as Rovers came out of the blocks sluggishly to give Chalfont the upper hand in the early exchanges.

But the hosts took the lead on 19 minutes when Forsythe made no mistake before having an effort cleared off the line two minutes later.

Chalfont had a great effort on the half-hour mark after a defensive mix-up, but the resultant shot fell wide.

Bobby Dance went through one-on-one with the keeper, but saw his soft shot saved, before Barton doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Forsythe volleyed home a superb goal of the season contender.

A combination of Forsythe, Dance and Ricky Case were thwarted just before the break as Rovers led 2-0.

Chalfont could have pulled a goal back early in the second half, but a free-kick from a great position sailed over.

But they did pull a goal back when a foul on Rovers’ right-back went unpunished as a subsequent challenge resulted in a penalty which Fitzgerald put away.

An open game saw chances continue to be created at both ends but Barton held on to triumph.

On Tuesday Rovers go to St Ives Town, Saturday sees them travel to Royston Town and the following Tuesday they host Luton Town in the semi-final of the Bedfordshire County Cup.

Attendance: 102.

Star Blue: Joe Reynolds.