Cambridge South centre-forward Rob Barton bags 500th goal in East League victory over Wisbech Town

On the face of it, Cambridge South VI’s 5-0 win at Wisbech Town V earlier this month would appear to be a run of the mill East Men’s League 5 North West encounter.

But for South’s Rob Barton, it is a fixture that will live long in the memory.

The centre-forward went into the match having scored 499 goals in South colours and it took just 10 minutes to reach the 500 milestone when he swept home from the penalty spot.

For good measure, the 49-year-old was on target again later in the first half to help keep his side in the battle for top spot.

“I thought it would happen at some stage this season and I wanted to do it before I turned 50 in January. It was a race between the two as to which would come first and thankfully it’s the goals,” said Cambridge-based Barton.

“I’m really lucky to have found this club and this group of players. I’ve found my spot at centre-forward and I’ve got team-mates that tolerate that it’s my position.

“Some players can be flexible and play in a few different positions and then you get those gems that can play anywhere, even in goal, but I don’t have that versatility.

“I’ve got that centre-forward’s instinct and I can react quickly, which is key when you’ve got defenders and a goalkeeper all around you.

“It’s not something that dominated my thoughts, but I’m still really pleased to have reached the milestone.”

Barton joined South in 2001 and aside from a couple of campaigns with St Ives, he has spent each season turning out for the club that plays its home matches at Long Road Sixth Form College.

And despite reaching the 500 landmark, Barton has no plans to walk away from the sport any time soon.

He added: “I fell in love with hockey at 18 when I was at university in Manchester and that love is still there.

“It still gets the endorphins and the adrenaline going and while it’s a bit harder these days after a match to recover, I’ve not lost any of the buzz for playing hockey.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve got a family that accept how important the sport is to me. It’s definitely the last hobby that I’ll give up.”

Barton, who also coaches some of the junior training sessions at the club, currently leads South’s Goal King standings for the season with 14.