Barrow v Stevenage match thread

[blue nige]

https://twitter.com/BarrowAFC/status/16 ... vCQQg&s=19

[blue nige]

The Irony showing Gordon and he's not even playing!

[Big_Bluebird]

Goody’s last game today. Best in the business. All the best goody

[LDBF]

C'mon Mansfield - my bad, goal difference to much for them

[Tallow]

C'mon Mansfield

Obsessed.

[Jim]

I would like to see Benni come on to show the others how to take scoring chances.

[MisterPleasant]

Been out all morning and have heard none of the commentary but the lack of comments here tells me all I need to know, I suspect.

[RedWeb]

Not been commenting much lately, just watching from a distance. Overall 62 pts and 9th is decent. However, when there was a sniff of promotion play-offs the team went into another one of their no goals/no wins ruts. A lack of consistent goal scoring has been an obvious weakness since joining the EFL and it still hasn't been cracked. Leads to these good month/bad month jobs with a few goals and a few wins followed by no goals/no wins. Kinda frustrating in truth.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

A decent game. We did enough to get a point created enough chances and played well in parts against a well organised Stevenage

[Bakewell Blue]

Excellent attendance given that the game had nothing significant on it. Disappointing end to a good season, with 4 losses. I would have expected at least 4 points from those matches. We need to make sure we consolidate next season so that this season isn’t a one-off.

[Wintergreen]

Another dire display at home, bordering on cluelessness and the usual lack of consistent quality. However, the league table position is highly commendable; an outstanding overall effort from all concerned. Semper Sursum.

[Barrow Lad New]

In a game of very few chances with nothing at stake, Barrow and Stevenage battled the elements on the wet Bank Holiday, the visitors taking the 3 points with the only goal of the game.

We came close to equalising on a couple of occasions, but it has still been a successful season with our 9th position far higher than many predicted as the start of the campaign.

The final crowd of 4,034 including 425 visiting fans had time to celebrate with their players at the end, the Barrow squad being applauded in their lap of honour by the fans including Bluey.

In the 12th minute after Gotts was fouled, Whitfield had a free kick 20 yards out in a central position but he blasted well over the bar. Five minutes later, a Kay shot was deflected for a corner. Following Newby’s corner kick from the left, Gotts shot wide of the right post from the edge of the area.

Stevenage’s goal came against the early run of play, Reeves’ 24th minute shot from the edge of the area cannoning of the left post into the net.

On the half hour we gained possession following an excellent tackle by Ray, and Warren flashed a precision cross across goal with no-one to make contact.

In time added at the end of the first half, Farman and Forster-Caskey were booked for an altercation.

Stevenage carried the narrow lead into the second half, and two minutes in had to replace an injured Campbell with Gilbey. Ten minutes later, Reid came on for Taylor.

Five minutes into the second half, Gotts, fed by Warren, brought a save from Przybek. In the 69th minute a ball from Whitworth enabled Newby to cross into the area. A goal-bound overhead kick by Garner was punched away in the top corner by Przybek for a corner. Our two best chances for the equaliser.

Two minutes later at the other end, a breakaway almost saw Stevenage double their lead when an excellent run by Reid saw him reach the penalty area with only Farman to beat, but he skewed his shot wide of the left post. Farman, who was awarded Barrow’s man of the match, then saved a Horgan shot from the edge of the area.

In the 75th minute we were on the attack again, Whitfield feeding Kay whose shot was parried by Przybek.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining mass changes were made by both teams. Stevenage replaced Rose, Horgan and Wildin with Evans, Roberts and Smith. Barrow replaced McClelland, Newby, Garner and Kay with Taylor, Young, Smales-Braithwaite and Zuk.

Young blasted a shot across goal in the 83rd minute.

Five minutes later, Farman parried a sharp shot from range, then Reeves shot over from the rebound. Reid shot wide of the left post in time added, the victory already being secured to cries of “we are going up”.

It would have been great to see a Barrow goal on the final day, but it was not to be. Still a satisfying season and a firm foundation to build on for next season.

[blue nige]

We should have got something out of the game but we all know what we need it's just getting the right person!

[Methuselah]

I thought we played well today.Hopefully a sign of things to come.Thought Josh Kay should have got man of the match.There goal was very fortunate.If that had been a Barrow shot on goal you would guarantee it would have gone the opposite side of the post.Great to finish in 9th after having been favourites to go down.Hopefullyfinish in a better position next season.We just need to find that mythical striker

[andyg]

It was not a dire home display. Yes we lost our way a bit after their goal up to half time. However, as Wild said we gave it a go in the second half where I thought Whitfield's crosses posed problems for Stevenage. As others have said we need a striker causing havoc on the end of those crosses - perhaps two strikers.

Impressed with Stevenage - very compact and organised plus they got that all important first goal to hang on with. Good luck to them next season.