Hat-trick hero Peacock struts his stuff with last-minute Barton Rovers winner

A last-minute winner completed a hat-trick for leading Calor Southern League Division One Central goalscorer Nat Peacock as Barton Rovers grabbed a 3-2 victory over Aylsebury at Sharpenhoe Road on Tuesday night.

Peacock contribution was again the difference Rovers continued their flying start to the season to stay second in the table.

Rovers manager Dan Kennoy was somewhat disappointed after the game as he said: “We gave away some sloppy goals tonight which made the game uncomfortable for us.

“It seems harsh to criticise the defenders and goalkeeper after having only conceded one goal before tonight but I’ve reminded them that they are only as good as their last game.”

But after presenting the man of the match award with Bedfordshire FA Chief Executive Keith Stroud to Peacock, Kennoy continued: “It’s a great start to the season for Nat and he deserves his MOM award tonight.

“We have him playing with a smile on his face again and personally I think he lost that last season at Bedford Town for one reason and another.

“He has become a big player for us but that is nothing more than I expected from him.”

And the Rovers manager laughed off any suggestions that other clubs will be looking at the striker, saying “I am sure he and a number of our other players have grabbed the attention of other managers, but for me this early in the season a good manager works with the squad he has built over the last 10 weeks during pre-season.

“If it has taken you 10 weeks to find out your players aren’t good enough and you need to go in for other club’s players at this early stage, then to me it shows you are a bad manager.

“I’m sure my chairman would question my judgement if I was to do that.”

Aylesbury started the better of the two teams with the pace of Gareth Price and Jerome Federico causing Rovers defence problems.

Price cut inside from the touchline cut on four minutes but his shot deflected off Lee Wilson for a corner.

The resulting delivery caused a goalmouth scramble and served as a real warning that Rovers would need to be committed at every set-piece.

It wasn’t all Aylesbury though and Barton did have their chances as they hit the bar on 23 minutes when Ricky Case cut inside and fizzed a dipping shot against the woodwork.

Aylesbury midfield Jack Thomson forced a tremendous save from Kyle Forster with his 25-yard effort midway through the half.

But the hosts took the lead against the run of play on 38 minutes when Alex O’Brien picked up a loose ball and threaded a defence-splitting pass straight into Peacock’s stride for the in-form striker to coolly slot past the advancing Rhys Marshall.

However, the visitors levelled moments later when Lee Wilson misplaced pass gave Aylesbury possession and Brian Haule sent a bullet header past Forster from Jerome Federico cross for a deserved equaliser.

The game was more equal in the second half with Aylesbury having the majority of possession, but Barton having the better chances.

And Rovers retook the lead on 51 minutes when, after a series of ricochets in the box from a James Edgerley corner, the ball dropped to Peacock to nudge the ball over the line from close range.

Aylesbury continued to threaten from set-pieces with Lee Grant heading against the bar from Matt Hall’s corner on the hour.

The Moles continued to press forward and Forster had to be alert to deflect another promising attack behind for a corner.

But just when it looked as if Rovers had done enough to contain Aylesbury’s advances, the visitors were gifted an equaliser with eight minutes to go.

Rovers’ Bobby Dance was floored in an off-the-ball incident 18 yards out, but Forster slipped as went to take the free-kick as he sent the ball straight to Gareth Price.

The unmarked Aylesbury man had just Forster to beat and gleefully lashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

However, Rovers brushed themselves down spared their keeper’s blushes three minutes into stoppage time.

Skipper Tommy Hull fired the ball into Aylesbury’s box and Peacock rose highest to flick the winner past Marshall.

On Saturday Barton go to bottom side Chertsy Town.