Clooney double seals eighth straight league win at Barnton

Rhys Clooney’s goal three minutes from time earned Abbey Hey an eighth successive victory in the league, as they came away with a 2-1 win at Barnton on Wednesday evening.

The home side started the brightest of the two sides, going narrowly close just after twelve minutes. A free kick from the edge of the area was earned in a dangerous position, but the resulting kick went high and wide over the head of Abbey goalkeeper Ross Heywood.

It was the away side who took the lead after 26 minutes, as Rhys Clooney claimed his second goal of the season. He hit a low effort from the edge of the area, placing it into the back of the net beyond Barnton keeper Arran Lyons.

Barnton were presented with a chance just before the break to bring the game level, but Jordan Monthe couldn’t apply the finish, after being played through on goal.

They had a free kick to level the game after 50 minutes when Heywood was forced into a smart save, before Lyons had to stand tall to deny Halfacre from extending Abbey’s lead.

The home side finally found their goal which brought the game level with fifteen minutes of play left in the second half, when sub Jordan Cobley fired beyond Heywood from close-range.

The visitors continued to push in search of a second goal and found it with three minutes of play left, courtesy of Clooney’s second of the game. A stunning effort from range beat the goalkeeper, claiming all three points for Abbey for the eighth game in a row.