Barrow 3-1 Kidderminster: Mighty Mackreth, Mascots and how we all love young Boyes.
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| Barrow and Kidderminster's teams before kick off |
A fantastic first half of football saw Barrow score 3 goals in 5 minutes to secure another three points.
Barrow’s fourth home victory in a row has turned the Furness Building Society Stadium into a fortress and moved them up into 11th in the Blue Square Bet Premier.
Adam Boyes stole the ball from Michael Briscoe in the centre of midfield and cut through the Harriers’ defence, scoring on the 20th minute with a blistering shot from 20 yards out.
2 minutes later, Andy Cook scored the second with a magnificent header after Jack Mackreth delivered the ball from the right wing.
The third goal came after Kidderminster’s keeper Dean Lyness came out to the edge of his area. Dominic Rowe reached the ball first and curled it into the top right corner on the 23rd minute.
The Bluebirds than conceded a disappointing goal when Jamille Matt rounded Paul Smith on the left wing and aimed for the back post. With a slight deflection, the ball rolled in past Danny Hurst on the 35th minute.
More drama emerged when Kidderminster’s captain Matthew Briscoe handballed in the box, gifting Barrow with a penalty. Richie Baker’s tame penalty kick aimed for the bottom right corner was easily saved by Lyness.
The second half became a scrappy affair with little shots on target. The Harriers gambled with three at the back and were more threatening, but Barrow’s resilient defence earned them the win.
Dave Bayliss commended the young Barrow side's performance in my post-match interview for The Bay's Goalzone
Dave Bayliss commended the young Barrow side's performance in my post-match interview for The Bay's Goalzone
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| Barrow's Phil Bolland training in front of The Ray Wilkie Stand |
We all love young Boyes
After their 1-0 victory away at Darlington on Tuesday, only one change was made to Barrow’s starting eleven. Adam Quinn came back from suspension to replace Haydn Hollis who has now returned to parent club Notts County.
The Bluebirds maintained their 4-4-2 Formation which has been so solid at home this season.
Barrow fans cheered around the Furness Building Society Stadium before kick off with the breaking news that Adam Boyes has signed a new 18 month contract with the club.
Boyes started fantastically with a shot 15 yards out which narrowly drifted wide of the left post on the 8th minute.
By scoring of his twelfth goal* against Kidderminster, Boyes proved why he has become integral to the team and a fan’s favourite over the past three months.
Even though he did not have many chances on goal, Boyes played intelligently throughout the whole match. The 20 year old was careful to watch the offside trap and he linked up regularly with Andy Cook, making their strike partnership even stronger.
Despite all attention focused on Boyes, the most important display of the match was the great wealth of young talent that Barrow have in their squad at the moment.
Andy Cook impressed by scoring his seventh goal of the season. The 21 year old's work rate was high and he helped create a close range shot for Paul Rutherford in the closing stages of the game.
Recent signing 18 year old Dominic Rowe has definitely made a huge impact on the left wing since joining the Bluebirds.
Rowe had an outstanding solo 40 yard run before curling the ball towards the top right corner 16 minutes in. The ball landed on the roof of the net and his efforts were rewarded when he scored 9 minutes later.
The young Bluebirds play with an attacking fearless attitude which is refreshing to watch and report on.
Paul Smith was excellent in supporting Jack Mackreth on the right wing and the young strike force was steadied up by an older and more experienced defence.
It is vital now for Barrow’s future progress that they can hang onto and nurture the young talent they currently have in the squad. If the managers achieve this, which I believe they can, who knows what potential this Barrow side has.
The Mighty Mackreth
After assisting Barrow’s second goal, Mackreth created a fantastic opportunity on the 56th minute. The 19 year old sprinted down the right wing before drilling the ball into the box. Unfortunately no Barrow player was there to pick up the pass.
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| The Furness Building Society Stadium before kick off |
The other fantastic young player Barrow has is my man of the match Jack Mackreth.
His exceptional performance began on the third minute with a great run on the right wing before his cross set up Andy Cook’s headed shot.
After assisting Barrow’s second goal, Mackreth created a fantastic opportunity on the 56th minute. The 19 year old sprinted down the right wing before drilling the ball into the box. Unfortunately no Barrow player was there to pick up the pass.
Mackreth became the main focus of the game as time after time he outran and outmanoeuvred Kidderminster’s left back Mickey Demetriou.
With Rowe, Rutherford and Mackreth, Bayliss and Sheridan have the bitter sweet dilemma of deciding who will start on the wings in the coming matches.
In fairness to Kidderminster, the second half was an improved performance. With many injuries hitting the away team’s squad, it was a gallant effort to put the Bluebirds under pressure for a 20 minute spell.
James Vincent’s volleyed shot from 20 yards out narrowly sailed over the cross bar and was the best chance the harriers had to score in the second half.
When the two sides meet again in March, I am sure the tie will be a lot tighter than it was at the Furness Building Society Stadium.
Barrow’s New Mascot
For the first time in the two and a half seasons I have reported on Barrow’s matches at Holker Street, I saw a mascot in the pre-match build up.
Kidderminster brought along their Harrier on the 186 mile trip to Barrow.
Whilst I was quite impressed with this new novelty, many Barrow fans didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm for our new feathered friend.
It was quite comical to see no reaction from the Barrow fans in front of the press box when the mascot tried to raise a cheer from them.
This led me to ask the press box where Barrow’s Bluebird mascot was. The suit is still in the club but no one has volunteered for the role.
Naturally the others believed I was volunteering to step up and take the challenge of Barrow’s new mascot.
No negotiations have been made to get me in the suit, but I’m hoping for my sake that Barrow’s mascot isn’t returning anytime soon.
Attention now turns away from the Blue Square Bet Premier to the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.
It was heartbreak for the Bluebirds last season when they lost 1-0 at this stage with a lacklustre performance to FC United of Manchester.
The Bluebirds travel to Evo-Stik First Division North side Witton Albion who are 60 places lower than Barrow in the league pyramid.
Next Saturday will be a test to see if Barrow’s young boys can maintain their good league form in the cup.
@amyscarisbrick
Barrow: Hurst, Smith, Skelton (Capt), Pearson, Quinn, Mackreth, Baker, Owen, Rowe (Rutherford 75), Boyes, Cook (Almond 86)
Subs not used: Clancy, Nicholas, Ferrell
Kidderminster: Lyness, Sharpe, (Capt) Briscoe (Cresswell 46), Marshall, Demetriou, Bird, Vincent, Matt (Guinan 69), Wright, Gittings, Medley (Williams 58)
Subs not used: Phelan, Thompson-Brown
(*counting Boyes’ goal against Darlington on Tuesday in the tally)
Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk
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| Kidderminster's Harrier mascot inspiring Barrow fans |
For the first time in the two and a half seasons I have reported on Barrow’s matches at Holker Street, I saw a mascot in the pre-match build up.
Kidderminster brought along their Harrier on the 186 mile trip to Barrow.
Whilst I was quite impressed with this new novelty, many Barrow fans didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm for our new feathered friend.
It was quite comical to see no reaction from the Barrow fans in front of the press box when the mascot tried to raise a cheer from them.
This led me to ask the press box where Barrow’s Bluebird mascot was. The suit is still in the club but no one has volunteered for the role.
Naturally the others believed I was volunteering to step up and take the challenge of Barrow’s new mascot.
No negotiations have been made to get me in the suit, but I’m hoping for my sake that Barrow’s mascot isn’t returning anytime soon.
Attention now turns away from the Blue Square Bet Premier to the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.
It was heartbreak for the Bluebirds last season when they lost 1-0 at this stage with a lacklustre performance to FC United of Manchester.
The Bluebirds travel to Evo-Stik First Division North side Witton Albion who are 60 places lower than Barrow in the league pyramid.
Next Saturday will be a test to see if Barrow’s young boys can maintain their good league form in the cup.
@amyscarisbrick
Barrow: Hurst, Smith, Skelton (Capt), Pearson, Quinn, Mackreth, Baker, Owen, Rowe (Rutherford 75), Boyes, Cook (Almond 86)
Subs not used: Clancy, Nicholas, Ferrell
Kidderminster: Lyness, Sharpe, (Capt) Briscoe (Cresswell 46), Marshall, Demetriou, Bird, Vincent, Matt (Guinan 69), Wright, Gittings, Medley (Williams 58)
Subs not used: Phelan, Thompson-Brown
(*counting Boyes’ goal against Darlington on Tuesday in the tally)
Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk
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