Jenkins the star as Barnstaple work their way out of slump

BARNSTAPLE TOWN earned their first points of 2012 with a vital 3-1 win over Radstock Town.

Connor Clifford, Sam Chitty and George Swain scored the goals that put Barnstaple six points clear of their fellow strugglers in the Toolstation Western League premier division.

But it was a striker who did not get on the scoresheet who earned the plaudits.

Danny Jenkins may not have found the net since joining from Appledore but that is less than half the story according to his manager.

Owen Pickard said: "Our man of the match was Danny Jenkins.

"Often players don't get the credit when they just have the workrate and don't score goals.

"He added so much to our side on Saturday, he was a huge part of our win.

"It was a massively important game for us.

"We played excellently and our workrate was phenomenal."

After five straight league defeats, nerves were settled for a Barnstaple team featuring two familiar faces from last season – Chitty and Kyle Bassett – when they took the lead.

Ricky Marinaro's free kick caused havoc, Bassett, the forward who has rejoined from Exmouth Town, squared the ball and Clifford scored his first goal for the club.

Radstock responded quickly with Matteo King heading an equaliser, but Barnstaple led again before half time.

Chitty, who had a successful spell with the club last season, returned to help out in defence for the day but did more than that when he stepped forward to bend a shot into the corner of the net.

The hard-working Swain secured the points in the second half, popping up at the near post to turn the ball in.

"At a crucial stage of the season, it was a really positive result and we have got to keep that going," said Pickard.

Barnstaple's game at Bristol Manor Farm this weekend is being played on Sunday because Manor Farm's reserve team have a home Somerset Senior Cup tie against Welton Rovers scheduled for Saturday.