Another excellent 4-1 victory as title race goes to final day

[Barrow Lad]

Barrow: Taylor, Cowperthwaite, McWilliams, Lacey, Livesey, Grand, Haworth, Harvey, Walker, Cook, Pilkington
71: Sheridan replaced Harvey, Reid replaced Haworth
82: Guy replaced Cook

GOALS: Livesey (9), Lacey (13), Walker (55, penalty), Cook (79)

Booked: Livesey (44); Harvey (47, foul on Adams); Cook (81)

Tamworth: Belshaw, Green, Samson, James, Smith, Adams, Taylor, Clarke, Jackson, Hibbert, Purdie
25: Thornton replaced James
57: Styche replaced Adams
78: Mettam replaced Jackson

GOAL: Thornton (67, penalty)

Booked: Taylor (15, foul on Grand); Hibbert (17)

Attendance: 2,758
Man of the Match: Grand

A sunny Spring afternoon brought a massive 2,758 crowd out to enjoy another splendid 4-1 victory which keeps us in the driving seat for next Saturday’s title decider at Lowestoft.

Barrow attacked from the kick-off, Belshaw saving a Livesey header from a 4th minute Pilkington corner. Five minutes later, Belshaw punched over a Pilkington free-kick for a corner. The corner kicked reached Livesey who precisely drilled the ball into the goal from the edge of the area for 1-0.

Only four minutes later, Barrow made it two with another superb strike from 20 yards, this time from Lacey. By the 17th minute Tamworth had conceded two goals and two bookings and were struggling to cope with the rampant Bluebirds.

Five minutes later a Haworth shot was saved and Tamworth then brought on Kevin Thornton for Thomas James. Thornton’s presence seemed to settle the Lambs as they came more into the game and prevented Barrow making further progress until half time. However, Taylor was not troubled and Haworth had a free kick saved in the 44th minute.

Within two minutes of the restart, Harvey was booked for a foul on Adams but Thornton’s free kick form the edge of the area was blocked.

Although Tamworth started to threaten more, Barrow made it three in the 55th minute. Pilkington picked up a ball from Haworth and was tripped as he ran into the area. Walker blasted the spot kick past Belshaw.

On the hour, a Haworth free kick went wide of the left post. However, Tamworth continued to press forward and, in the 67th minute, the Lambs pulled a goal back from a Thornton penalty.

Three minutes later a 30 yard shot ended up on the roof of Taylor’s net and it was clear Barrow needed fresh legs to regain the initiative. Sheridan and Reid replaced Harvey and Haworth in the 71st later and, eight minutes later, we made it four with a Cook strike from the edge of the area.

Cook then gave way to Guy. In the 84th minute, Barrow had another good chance on goal as Reid’s cross was headed by Walker at close range into the arms of Belshaw. Seconds later, a Pilkington shot from the left hit the cross bar.

In the 89th minute a Walker shot went just wide of the left post. However, the score remained 4-1, matching AFC Fylde’s efforts at Harrogate, and we have it in our hands to clinch the title at Lowestoft. The players and staff received a deserved ovation for their sterling efforts on the day and over the season as they paraded round the pitch after the final whistle.

Hopefully, many of the bumper crowd will return to Holker Street next season to watch a Conference team. All the best for next Saturday lads!

[glasgow_blue]

Moved back to barrow in november seen every home game since, this was the 1st time i felt we looked liked a team at the top of the league. 1 last push lads, confidence must be high after the last 5 days. COYB

[Colzi]

Superb performance . The last 2 home league games they have been a pleasure too watch! Attandance wow, and the fans lively as ever !! C'mon bluebirds get the 3 down Lowestoft

[Barrow Lad]

Fantastic goal scoring -let's see it continue next Saturday! I've now written my match report.

[McMark]

Thank you very much for your home reports during the coarse of the season Barrow Lad, always a pleasure to read and refer too especially if you don't make the match yourself.

[Barrow Lad]

Cheers Mark Mc.- much appreciated. I try my best!

[Hadrian]

Thanks for all the reports throughout the season.

[Steelworks End]

For the second goal the referee seemed to be deliberating whether to give us a penalty or not .... until Paddy made his mind up for him!

[Spanner]

Pilkington picked up a ball from Haworth and was tripped as he ran into the area.

I'll happily be proved wrong by the highlights video but I was stood directly in line with this (basically the same view as the linesman) and it looked a perfectly good tackle to me.

[Middleton Nick]

I agree spanner but didn't argue at the time!!!!!!!

[NUFFSAID]

Never a pen in a million years, defender knocked the ball out for a corner and pilks went over after the challenge . Cracking win though

[K_BFC]

Pilkington picked up a ball from Haworth and was tripped as he ran into the area.

I'll happily be proved wrong by the highlights video but I was stood directly in line with this (basically the same view as the linesman) and it looked a perfectly good tackle to me.

I think the defender got a slight touch on the ball. As the ball rolled away Pilks continued after it and the defenders outstretched leg clipped Pilks and he went down. It was a bit soft, he went down easily but there was contact.

[Matty]

Tamworth's pen wasn't one either. Livesey won the ball from the striker who fell over as a result.