Wimblington lost regular keeper Adam Westwood to injury in the warm-up ahead of their Premier Division trip to Leverington and, with no other takers, Bartlett took over between the sticks.

And despite only having appeared in goal once during more than 20 years in the game, Bartlett turned in an inspired display.

He saved two penalties (from Danny Leaf and Martin Ryan) and kept a clean sheet as Wimblington ran out 3-0 winners to continue a cracking recent revival.

Bartlett said: "I'm 37 and had only played in goal once in my entire life, so it is fair to say I wasn't exactly looking forward to it.

"But my defenders were absolutely magnificent and saving the two penalties capped a great day.

"I decided I would stand tall for as long as possible and both their lads just slammed their spot-kicks down the middle.

"I actually kept a clean sheet in my other appearance in goal at Whittlesey a few years ago, but there is no chance of me making it a regular thing."

And while veteran Bartlett was performing heroically at one end, a couple of Wimblington's young stars did the damage at the other. Matt Barber punished Leverington for some poor defending with a brace and Kevin Holt hit their other goal.

"We moved Matt onto the left wing and he absolutely roasted their right back for both his goals and Kevin took advantage of a bad mistake," added Bartlett.

Leverington boss Wayne Garner was left to reflect on another miserable afternoon which came hot on the heels of a couple of recent 6-1 drubbings.

He said: "It was a bad day all-round compounded by hitting two penalties straight at the keeper. The lads are understandably low on confidence but I am sure we can turn it around if we stick together."



LETHAL weapon Robbie Pearce slammed in a hat-trick for the second successive Saturday as Rutland Rangers continued their cracking start to top-flight life.

Leading Premier Division goalscorer Pearce took his tally for the season to 10 with a treble as Rangers romped to a 4-2 win at high-flying Deeping Sports. Substitute Steven Smith grabbed the other goal.

"Robbie puts in one hell of a shift," said manager Andy Saddington. "He works from the first whistle to the last and gives defenders all sorts of trouble. He deserves every one of his goals because of his sheer work-rate alone."

And Saddington reacted to his side's smashing success by insisting they are a step closer to avoiding relegation.

Rutland have now taken 15 points from their opening seven league matches and sit fourth in the standings in their debut Premier Division season – but no-one can accuse Saddington of getting carried away.

He added: "We reckon we need 21 points to avoid relegation and that remains out target. Of course we have started the season very well and the lads are enjoying their football, but playing at this level is all new to us."