Barrow v County: Match Thread (25/02/2023)

Ah - but worth any extra miles for the Barrovian cuisine, Lennie...

Never mind the Pizzinis, here's what do we know about Barrow AFC?

Well having started the season like a house on fire they have more recently had a tough spell, so they now have a record of P 32 W 13 D 5 L 14 F35 A 40. Their H record is kind of ho-hum P 15 W 8 D 1 L 6 F 19 A 14, which also puts them in 12th place, as does their A record. They, of course, beat County 2-3 at EP on opening day with goals from Josh Gordon, Ben Whitfield (yes, him) and Billy Waters all in the first 30 minutes, County's reply coming from Sarce and Paddy.

The Ws were 3-2 v Bratfut Citeh, 2-1 v Walsall, 1-0 v Harrogate, 2-0 v Donny, 1-0 v Grimsby, 3-0 v Crewe, 3-1 v Colchester and 3-1 v Hartlepool. The D was 0-0 v Rochdale. The Ls were 0-2 v Orient, 0-1 v Mansfield, 0-1 v Swindon, 1-2 v Tranmere, 0-2 v Northampton and 0-1 v Newport County. The Ws are therefore mostly against mid table or lower table sides and the Ls are mostly against sides in the upper half of the table. So that's a pretty modest record all told.

Their leading scorers in the league are (currently injured) Josh Gordon with 11, MF Billy Waters with 8, Ben Whitfield (yes that one) on 5. MF Josh Kay has 4, then MF Jordan Stevens and D Tyrell Warren have both scored twice. Finally Ds Nial Canavan and Sam McClelland both have 1.

Like everyone else they were active in the transfer window signing pacy right-sided D Rory Feely on loan until the end of the season from League of Ireland club Bohemians. They also borrowed Bratfut Citeh F Jake Young, who previously scored 12 in 62 apps at Forest Green Rovers. Finally they spent a club-record undisclosed fee for Fleetwood's F Ged Garner (11 Gs in 60 apps). They also signed Elliot Newby from County not long ago.

Top scorer Josh Gordon has a hamstring injury which has kept him out for most of Feb and he is unlikely to appear against County, so with all due respect to them they do not look likely to be a significant goal threat. They've scored 3 at H only 3 times (Bratfut, Harrogate and Crewe), they've scored 2 twice (v Donny and Walsall) so otherwise, a bit like Crewe, it's one or none.

Recent form is poor, P 13 W 2 D 4 L 7. So County will be feeling confident about this game but the presence of two ex-hatters suggests that they will raise their game and the fact that they've only had 1 H D this season makes me think this is a sure fire D, but not a 0-0. As ever, fingers crossed.

They're the only reason I'm going! 😀

Far gone are the memories of the
Awful opening day of the season.
Collar and Co. turn in another
Terrific performance and run out 0 - 2 winners.

I just hope that it's not a pizza worn as a Bikini.... promise me it's not that!

Story .............

Macca and I met up near Preston to travel together to Barrow (my local match !!!!!) for a game (pre-season friendly or National North match, I believe) quite a while ago.

We stupidly by-passed Tebay Services (which we put right next time when we went to Workington - that is another story). We parked up in Barrow and found the local Tesco's cafe. They served these wonderful pizzinis. As we entered the turnstiles Macca set off to the club shop and I was accosted by "the local" on the gate. Here, a very one sided conversation took place. As I finally managed to walk away Macca asked me what he had been asking. To which I replied "sorry, I haven't a f****** clue".

Whilst Macca was in the shop I was then further involved with another local as we watched a 6th rate game on the pitch at the side of the ground. Again, I had a 20 minutes one way chat about his footballing history which included his one appearance for the Barrow reserve team. At his 18 stone+ figure I somehow was a little sceptical.

I have "mug" written on my forehead and seem to always attract the nutter on the bus (or tram in Blackpool) who wants to share his lifestory with me. I am told I am a very good listener. Even The Samaritans phone ME for a chat.