BARNTON FC extended their unbeaten run to eight games thanks to a first-half double from Harvey Sample as they beat rivals Alsager Town at Townfield Lane on Saturday.

A bumper crowd of 181 saw Liam Page’s men respond to their midweek draw at New Mills in the best way possible as they put their visitors to the sword in an impressive display.

Sample was on hand to open the scoring as he got on the end of a pin-point through ball from the lively Joe Levey.

Twelve minutes later Sample linked up with Garbutt to get his second of the game and double his side’s lead before the half-time break.

The second half saw Barnton create a number of chances but they were unable to add to their tally.

However, they ensured that they picked up a fifth clean sheet in their current unbeaten eight-game run.

Sample’s double moved him up to second in the league’s top scorer table, his eight goals so far this season only bettered by the experienced Scott McGowan at Stockport Town.

“I thought the game went well and we were professional," said Sample.

"We are all together as a team and the morale is showing. We are all sticking together in every game, battling for each other.”

He added: “We need to keep it up and keep pushing the teams above us. We have targets in mind and of course the main one is to finish as high up the table as we can.”

Sample has settled into life at Townfield Lane and is enjoying his football.

He said: “The move to Barnton has been brilliant, playing regularly has helped my confidence no end and I’m showing it with my goals.”

Next up for the Villagers is an FA Vase second qualifying round tie at home to Golcar United on Saturday and Sample is looking forward to featuring in a national competition.

“We come into the cup with great form and want to keep the momentum going and see what we can do not only in the Vase but the other cups we’ve got coming up," he said.

"We want to make this a season to remember.”

Barnton: Cross, Ball (Lee), Hunt (Dwyer), Avon (Scoullar), Duffy, Jones, Tom Edwards (Holmes), Kennington, Sample, Levey, Garbutt (Moseley).