Superb team effort as Yussuf hat-trick downs Shots

[Barrow Lad]

Barrow: Moore, Barthram, Bauress, Thompson, Bignot, Hughes, Hall, Gomis, Clements, Yussuf, Harrison
75: White replaced Yussuf
83: Panayiotou replaced Gomis

GOALS: Yussuf (5, 39, 65)

Booked: Harrison (11), Yussuf (32), Hughes (70, foul on Kellermann)

Aldershot Town: Smith, Alexander, Evans, Dyeleke, Rendell, Mensah, Kellermann, Rowe, McDonnell, Arthur, Reynolds
Half Time: Gallagher replaced Arthur
64: Okojie replaced Rowe

GOAL: McDonnell (47)

Booked: Dyeleke (76, foul on Gomis), Rendell (82)

The Ady Pennock era got off to a flying start with a solid Bluebirds team performance, a hat-trick from Adi Yussuf, and a thoroughly deserved three points. The 1,128 crowd included 67 Shots supporters and within 5 minutes the home contingent had something to celebrate. Playing towards the Holker Street end, Chris Clements threaded the ball through the Shots defence via Byron Harrison to Yussuf who calmly slotted in his first goal of the day.

Five minutes later, Bradley Bauress intercepted a ball meant for Callum Reynolds and passed to Harrison, who ran from the left into the penalty area. Harrison then went to ground and, despite protestations he had been fouled, found himself on the receiving end of a yellow card for diving thanks to a delayed decision by the linesman.

Inspired by gutsy interventions from Clements, Barrow continued on the front foot. On the half hour, a goal bound Bedsente Gomes shot was blocked.

Aldershot’s first corner came in the 36th minute when Liam Hughes head out a dangerous Bernard Mensah cross. However, Rowe’s kick was cleared and three minutes later, Barrow went two ahead. A long kick from Stuart Moore found its way to Yussuf whose precise shot from the light flashed past the keeper just inside the far post.

The 2-0 lead at the break was the least Barrow deserved in a half when the decisions from the officials had tended to favour Aldershot, the visitors replacing Arthur with Gallagher. However, a rather soft free kick awarded just over a minute into the second half did punish the Bluebirds when Adam McDonnells’ 30 yard effort went through all the players into the right side of the goal. Two minutes later, McDonnell tested Moore with a shot from the left and then a Mensah effort went wide as Barrow appeared, for a short time, to be on the ropes.

Thankfully, the revival proved short lived and, indeed another pair of fresh legs- Okojile coming on for Rowe in the 64th minute- seemed to unsettle the Shots. A minute later, Yussuf broke through the defence to find himself with only Smith to beat. He calmly rounded the keeper and rolled the ball from 20 yards just inside the left post.

Five minutes later, Yussuf was through on goal again, his shot heading just inside the right post being saved by Smith.

In the 70th minute, Hughes was booked for a foul on Kellermann, McDonnell’s 25 yard free kick being saved by Moore. Five minutes later Yussuf, having scored his hat-trick, was replaced by Jordan White.

In the 81st minute, a long-range shot by captain Asa Hall went wide of the left post. Rendell was then booked and Harry Panayiotou came on for Gomis.

In the 84th minute, a Will Evans 25 yard effort was saved by Moore and then, at the other end, Smith had to dive to his left to save a Panayiotou shot. In the 88th minute, White headed down in front of goal for Harrison but he shot wide from close range.

Still 3-1 after four minutes of added time, the Barrow players and manager celebrated with each other and the fans. They received a thoroughly deserved ovation for a superb team effort. With man of the match Yussuf holding the match ball proudly, this was a much needed confidence booster from which to move onwards and upwards.

[Jonty]

That was a solid all round performance against a good side. I thought the way we set up today was spot on and worked very well with Bauress in a left wing back role (Reminds me of Andy Burns). At times in the first half he was in loads of space down the left but we didn't look to find him. Hughes at sweeper added that bit of steel. I've never seen him tackle so hard. Could this be his best position

Trying not to get ahead of things here, but today we looked like a decent team.

[blue nige]

The free kick awarded to aldershot from which they scored was scandalous the guy fell over then kept the ball between his legs which as everyone knows (apart from the referee )that you then stop play and award a bounce up!

[Moribund]

The offside given against Bauress, when Yussuf stopped and put his hands up, was a dreadful decision against us too. No qualms about Harrison's embarrassing dive early on though.

[Matty]

The offside given against Bauress, when Yussuf stopped and put his hands up, was a dreadful decision against us too. No qualms about Harrison's embarrassing dive early on though.

I couldn’t see it from my position but if it was why did it take the ref two minutes to produce the yellow? Sums up his embarrassing performance really. I think he even consulted the liner over it, how the [SwearFilter] is he supposed to have a better view on the other side of the pitch?

[Moribund]

The offside given against Bauress, when Yussuf stopped and put his hands up, was a dreadful decision against us too. No qualms about Harrison's embarrassing dive early on though.

I couldn’t see it from my position but if it was why did it take the ref two minutes to produce the yellow? Sums up his embarrassing performance really. I think he even consulted the liner over it, how the [SwearFilter] is he supposed to have a better view on the other side of the pitch?

The dive? Not sure what the hold up was - maybe he simply forgot to book him and the linesman reminded him? I don't know, but I said straight away that it was a yellow for Harrison.
Referee wasn't dreadful compared to some, but very inconsistent, giving niggly fouls and then letting blatant fouls go.

[Bluebird_john]

I couldn’t see it from my position but if it was why did it take the ref two minutes to produce the yellow? Sums up his embarrassing performance really. I think he even consulted the liner over it, how the [SwearFilter] is he supposed to have a better view on the other side of the pitch?

The dive? Not sure what the hold up was - maybe he simply forgot to book him and the linesman reminded him? I don't know, but I said straight away that it was a yellow for Harrison.
Referee wasn't dreadful compared to some, but very inconsistent, giving niggly fouls and then letting blatant fouls go.

Was the correct decision for Harrison. He has the chance to go down and get a penalty but then tried to play on but then thought against playing on!

[Matty]

I couldn’t see it from my position but if it was why did it take the ref two minutes to produce the yellow? Sums up his embarrassing performance really. I think he even consulted the liner over it, how the [SwearFilter] is he supposed to have a better view on the other side of the pitch?

The dive? Not sure what the hold up was - maybe he simply forgot to book him and the linesman reminded him? I don't know, but I said straight away that it was a yellow for Harrison.
Referee wasn't dreadful compared to some, but very inconsistent, giving niggly fouls and then letting blatant fouls go.

Yeah possibly the case, I’ll take your word if you had the better view but if he knew it was surely the yellow would’ve been straight out of his pocket? Either way it was one of the worst performances from a ref in recent memory. Not quite up to the level of whatshisface from the Forest Green game last season, though.

[paddy71]

Fantastic effort today by all the lads(why not every game ?)still onwards and upwards. Welcome to Barrow ady

[kikka]

" ...A long kick from Stuart Moore found its way to Yussuf whose precise shot from the light flashed past the keeper just inside the far post ... "

Already those new floodlights are starting to pay for themselves

[walney rock]

" ...A long kick from Stuart Moore found its way to Yussuf whose precise shot from the light flashed past the keeper just inside the far post ... "

Already those new floodlights are starting to pay for themselves

The lights that were working properly lol

[Shaun]

Thanks, as always, for the report Barrow Lad.

[DaveBarter]

Didn't Moore get a card too?