Barrow AFC.net

Although there was again a revival with a Barrow goal in the 88th minute, unlikely Tuesday night it was too little, too late with Walsall already enjoying a commanding 3-0 lead which could have been even more but for Stanway’s efforts.

We played well patchily in the first 20 minutes and then gradually deteriorated at the first half went on, alarmingly so after a lengthy stoppage caused by Walsall keeper Roberts claim of racist abuse from Barrow fans at the Holker Street end. Whether the stoppage allowed Walsall’s manager to point out our defensive weaknesses, which their forwards then ruthlessly exploited, is open to conjecture.

Things could have turned out differently had we turned our early pressure into a goal or two. Less than two minutes in, an excellent cross from the right by Whitfield reached Tuesday’s winner scorer Fletcher right in front of goal. Sadly, this time he skied the ball well over the bar.

Stanway was well placed to save an Okeke shot from range in the 8th minute, but the Saddlers’ No.25 would cause much more trouble for us as the game went on. Six minutes later, Okeke and Lakin fed Kanu who shot just wide.

In the 17th minute we threatened the Walsall goal again from a Jackson corner won by Whifield. After a scramble in the goalmouth the ball nearly, but not quite, went over the line.

From then on it was virtually all Walsall and we struggled to defend a series of runs down the left. With No.3 Hancock, No15 Kanu and the aforementioned No.25 Okeke cutting through us with ease. Flint headed wide from a Hancock cross in the 20th minute.

The real dangers came after a three-minute break in play in the 22nd minute. Saddlers’ keeper Roberts was upset by something he had heard from the Holker Street end and informed the referee.

A minute after the restart, the 26th minute, a ball from Okeke to Kanu forced a close-range save from Stanway. On the half hour a Hancock free kick was punched out by Stanway. Hancock then shot wide from range.

We failed to heed these warnings as, in the 33rd minute, Stanway fumbled a Kanu shot which was then bundled home from close range by Adomah at the left post.

We had more problems when Jackson went down injured in the 38th minute. Play was again stopped for three minutes and he was replaced by Newby at half time.

The relentless forays through our defence continued and in the 43rd minute, Kanu was fouled by MacDonald. Hancock’s free kick led to Stanway saving from Okeke. A minute later, Okeke blasted a shot from the left across our goal, only needing a slight touch.

We may have escaped that scare, but in added time we conceded a couple of corners. In the second minute of time added Lakin’s corner from the left was fired home by Hancock for 2-0. Stanway also had to save again from Kanu and Adomah before the half-time whistle- it looked like a rout was in process.

A 2-0 deficit left us with a mountain to climb. The enforced early substitution of Jackson with Newby at the break was the first roll of the dice and more changes would soon follow. Within two minutes, Browne was allowed to unleash a thankfully low-powered shot straight at Stanway.

Five minutes in, we seemed to settle more and looked like exerting more control over proceedings. Our second great chance came in the 52nd minute when a close-range Rose shot was saved by Roberts.

We were again shortly to rue this missed opportunity as the Walsall onslaught restarted. A minute later, Stanway made a great save from Jellis for a corner. Adomah put the ball back into the area after his corner, and Farquharson headed wide from close range.

Whitfield was then replaced by Mahoney and we plugged away in vain, a McCann free kick for a foul on Newby being cleared.

In the 67th minute, Joe Anderson was booked for pulling back Adomah on the right edge of the area. Hancock’s free kick curled straight into the far-left corner for 3-0.

If 2-0 was a mountain to climb, a 3-0 deficit was well-nigh impossible to recover from.

Five minutes later (the 73rd minute) Foley replaced MacDonald and Rose with Raglan and Hemmings. The visitors brought on Clarke for Okeke. Another five minutes later, Barrow replaced Fletcher with Malcolm.

The substitutions did have some positive impact as we soon won corners, taken by Mahoney, and an 81st minute McCann free kick which was headed wide by Raglan.

Walsall then replaced Kanu and Adomah with Pressley and Loupalo-Bi.

Stanway was in action again in the 86th minute, saving a Loupalo-Bi shot.

A good Barrow break two minutes later earned a consolation goal made by our two late substitutes, Malcolm feeding Hemmings for a well taken shot from a narrow angle on the left.

The four minutes of added time didn’t allow enough opportunity for any further comeback goals. Just before added time, Walsall replaced Comley and Farquharson with Vincent Harper and Burke. In the fourth minute of time added, a Mahoney cross led to a McCann shot over the bar.

Attendance was 3,831 with 253 visitors. McCann was awarded Barrow’s man of the match but, in reality, Stanway had kept Walsall’s goal tally down. We now await the final results of the 3.00pm kick-offs to see just how costly this result is to our survival chances.

Just got back from the game.

Shite

I would rather have a fridge/freezer in the middle than Rakeem Harper

For me all our energy and effort comes from Josh Gordon and we missed him badly today. He leads and others follow.
Also the other big difference from Tuesday was Walsall had plenty of pace upfront that Oldham didn’t have and that exposed our woefully slow defence.

So far 2 results would of gone in our favour If we bothered to show up this afternoon looking at Newport match stats looks like they are panicking

I really hope it doesn’t come to a cup final in the last game as clearly this lot can’t cope with the pressure

Barrowfan92 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 18, 2026 4:51 pm So far 2 results would of gone in our favour If we bothered to show up this afternoon looking at Newport match stats looks like they are panicking

I really hope it doesn’t come to a cup final in the last game as clearly this lot can’t cope with the pressure

I hope it does come to the last game otherwise we’ll be down already.

The goalkeeper apparently apologised after he misheard something from the Holker St End.

Harrogate win in the last minute to draw level on points with us.

Pressure on Cambridge next week nothing to loose.

We move on, whichever way you look at it it’s still in our hands.
I would take your hand off if it goes to last game surely we can’t be that bad again.

Close now!

Newport lost. (so did Tranmere). Next week v Oldham is KEY for them, as a loss or a draw will mean the last game against us will likely decide who goes down. I'm factoring in that we will loose at Cambridge. Harrogate are now back in the mix with a 99 min goal. Goal difference might decide - only 1 and 2 goals between the 3 teams.

There’s not a chance we’ll get anything at Cambridge next week. Today was the day we needed to step up and get a win.

Jonty wrote: ↑Sat Apr 18, 2026 5:13 pm There’s not a chance we’ll get anything at Cambridge next week. Today was the day we needed to step up and get a win.

There will be all sorts of daft results in the league you just never know

If it goes to the last game we have a chance if not we have got ultimately what we deserve

We shouldn't have to rely on other results just how many chances do we need? ,Harrogate, Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Gillingham and today unbelievable the goals we concede ,it is what it is now perhaps relegation will make our board focus more on how to run the club ( football wise) for too long our recruitment/ playing style and choice of Managers has been underwhelming, a total reset is required!

If Foley isn't injured, and let's face it'd have to be career ending one in this crisis, he's got to get his boots back on. No good having a player of his quality on the sidelines watching.
Some pathetic performances out there today but McCann's was possibly the worst. Man of the match?
Parents really shouldn't be allowed to pick!