Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 6

Monday's edition features a roundup of the weekend's Blue Square Bet Premier results, the FA Trophy First Round Draw and a preview of Tuesday night's evening matches:

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 6 by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

FA Trophy Final 2010 - Barrow v Stevenage Highlights

The edited highlights of the FA Trophy Final 2010 featuring Barrow v Stevenage at Wembley Stadium.

A memorable 2-1 victory for Barrow over the 2010 Blue Square Premier Champions Stevenage in a match with two red cards.

Goals from Stevenage's Andy Drury and Barrow's Lee McEvilly caused the match to remain at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

A stunning goal from Barrow's star striker Jason Walker in extra time resulted in the Bluebirds winning the FA Trophy.

The exciting action of extra time can be heard from 8.00 - 12.00 minutes.

Here are highlights of The Bay's Goalzone Commentary with Dave Salmon and Amy Scarisbrick:

FA Trophy Final 2010 - Barrow v Stevenage - Match Commentary Highlights by amyscarisbrick

Match commentary recorded at Wembley on 8th May 2010

My Wembley Story

Instead of writing down my experience of commentating at Wembley, here are all my photographs, highlights of my commentary and video segments of the incredible FA Trophy Final 2010



@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 5

This edition of the Blue Squared Bulletin features a roundup of the week's news and manic transfer activity, FA Cup First Round Replay update and a preview of this weekend's Blue Square Bet Premier matches:

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 5 by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Survey Investigating Football Match Attendances

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 4

Monday's Edition of the Blue Squared Bulletin with a roundup of the weekend's results, goals and action from across the Blue Square Bet Premier:


Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 4 by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

York Go Down to Nine Men in Injury Time as Barrow Battle to Goalless Draw

Barrow 0-0 York City: The War of the Roses, Stoppage Time Sending Offs and the Return of “You Know Who”

Barrow and York City shake hands ahead of the match

An entertaining and competitive goalless draw turned dramatic with red cards shown to York's Andre Boucard and former Barrow player Jason Walker in the 96^th minute.

Barrow edged a gritty first half of football by producing more shots on target than their Yorkshire rivals. The Bluebirds came close to scoring in the 7th minute with Andy Cook’s header from 8 yards out, narrowly drifting wide of the left hand post.

Barrow should have taken the lead with Richie Baker’s stunning free kick from 25 yards out. Baker looped the ball over the wall and it was pushed over the crossbar by York City keeper Michael Ingham

After the break, York were the better side as they started cutting through the Bluebirds’ midfield. The away team were close to scoring on 63^rd minute after Matthew Blair’s cross set up Jason Walker with a headed shot at the back post. The ball was blocked by Barrow keeper Danny Hurst and fell to Ashley Chambers who also had his shot stopped by Hurst before it was cleared off the line by Paul Smith.

In stoppage time, Jason Walker was sent off after a dangerous challenge on Barrow's James Owen. Handbags broke out between players and York's Andre Boucard was also given a straight red card for his role in the tussles.

Barrow’s point keeps them 12th in the Blue Square Bet Premier, while York City dropped a place to 5^th.  

Bluebirds’ joint manager Dave Bayliss was delighted with the hard fought draw in my post match interview recorded for The Bay.   

A roundup of all the action is in my full time report for The Bay's Goalzone

Barrow's fans homemade banner of the Lancashire red rose

The War of the Roses

Barrow, formerly a part of Lancashire, always relishes the prospect of playing York City. Even though it is a loose interpretation of the northern borders, for the match’s purpose it was a battle of Lancashire v Yorkshire.

The 32 year wars from 1455-1487 was eventually won by the red rose of Lancashire. Would they defeat the white rose of Yorkshire on the football pitch this time?

Raising the stakes of this fierce northern derby, was the return of Barrow’s Wembley hero Jason Walker for the first time to Holker Street since he left the club exactly one year ago. The focus was the head to head of both club's top scorers. Walker has scored 15 goals this season while Barrow’s new hero Adam Boyes has netted 16 goals.

Joint managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan made two changes after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Rotherham in the FA Cup First Round last weekend. New loan signing Danny Hone from Lincoln City made his debut to replace Mike Pearson who is out for 3 months with a broken leg and ankle.  

Andy Cook was back in the starting line up, replacing Louis Almond in Barrow’s 4-4-2 formation.

In a fierce and gritty first half, York conceded many free kicks, giving Barrow several threatening on-target opportunities.

The Bluebirds started the brighter side as Adam Boyes stole the ball from Jamal Fyfield inside York’s half and ran along the right wing before three defenders wrestled him off the ball in the box.

Paul Smith created another great chance by curling the ball from 20 yards out before Phil Bolland came charging at the back post, toeing the ball narrowly wide.

Adam Boyes nearly added another goal to his tally with a shot from 20 yards out, He aimed for the bottom left corner but it was saved by Ingham on 28^th minute.

However, York City were competitive and composed in the first 45 minutes. Scott Kerr was exceptional in the centre of midfield when he beautifully threaded the ball through to Jason Walker who could not quite reach it in the box.

Ashley Chambers produced York’s first half chance with a shot from 8 yards out that was deflected and eventually cleared by defender Phil Bolland.

The away side lifted their performance in the second half and started to put pressure on the Bluebirds’ defence.

Jason Walker took a magical free kick on 66^th minute from 25 yards out which was dipping in to the top right corner before Hurst’s fingertips edged the shot over the crossbar. The Barrow keeper hit his head against the advertising hoardings in his heroic efforts and had to receive treatment for several minutes.   

But Barrow also had a number of chances to break the deadlock in the second half. Andy Cook produced the Bluebirds’ best chance of the afternoon with a driving shot from 30 yards out that drifted inches wide of the left hand post on the 48^th minute.

On the 73^rd minute, Adam Boyes was in a brilliant position 12 yards out but his headed shot was tame and easily gathered by keeper Michael Ingham. In the closing stages, there were little shots on goal as both sides seemed to accept a draw.  

As the match progressed, more tackles were flying in and got increasingly more physical. A scrappy sporting version of the War of the Roses seemed to slowly develop before our eyes. There were long periods of stoppage time with Bolland, Cook and Owen all receiving treatment on the pitches for various knocks.

Referee Karl Evans had refrained from showing any cards until James Owen was booked in the 91^st minute. But this war was only getting started…

Stoppage Time Sending Offs

In an unexpected twist to the match, nine minutes of stoppage time saw two sending offs for York City.

With the delays to treat several Barrow players, six minutes added time was signalled by the fourth official. Both teams began attacking and Baker nearly stole all three points for Barrow when he received the ball on the edge of the box. He slightly snatched his shot and the ball just travelled wide of the left hand post.

In 93^rd minute, a frustrated Walker went in with his studs showing in a hard one footed challenge on former team mate James Owen.

Barrow and York's players walking out onto the pitch

However, unexpectedly the York players reacted badly to Owen going to ground and tussles and fisty cuffs broke out as the players from both teams crowded around each other.

Walker’s tackle looked nasty and I think the referee made the right decision to show a straight red card. It was deemed that Andre Boucard had been heavily involved in the on pitch handbags, so he was also sent off the pitch.

From my view in the press box, it was hard to tell who was to blame for the tussles and it was certainly a surprise amongst all the media to see two York players dismissed.

The Return of “You Know Who”

Clearly Jason Walker was always going to be the main attraction in this northern encounter. After three successful seasons with the Bluebirds and scoring the winning goal at Wembley in extra time in the FA Trophy Final 2010, he was always a favourite amongst Barrow fans.

I myself found it quite strange to see Walker playing in a red shirt. I wasn’t the only one who was slightly confused at the return of striker. The Barrow mascots ahead of the game were asked which player they wanted to walk out of the tunnel with, they answered Jason.

The highest league attendance of 2190 for this season was waiting for a showdown between Walker and Boyes that did not quite happen.

Jason Walker celebrating Barrow's FA Trophy win in 2010

                                                                       
Walker has been suffering from a slight achilles injury and I think it showed as he did seem a step slower than normal. However, frustrated and probably anxious to score on his return to Holker Street, he misjudged his tackle on Owen.

After seeing red, Walker did receive many wry smiles, grins and comments from Barrow fans as he entered the tunnel. I think this was the moment that some Barrow fans had finally realised that Walker is firmly part of the past.

Barrow have progressed as a club successfully without him and will continue to do so. It just proves that no player, not even a star one, is bigger than any football club. Football fans will see their favourite players come and go but they will always put the club first.

The Bluebirds now plan ahead to next week’s match away to league strugglers AFC Telford.

@amyscarisbrick


Barrow: Hurst Smith Skelton Bolland (Capt) Hone Mackreth (Rowe 86) Baker Owen Rutherford Cook (Almond 79) Boyes

Subs not used: S Pearson Ferrell Lomax

York City: Ingham Meredith Smith (McGurk 66) Kerr Walker Chambers (Parslow 90+8) Boucaud Fyfield Blair Challinor Mclaughlin (Pilkington 59)

Subs not used: Reed Moke

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 3

Friday's edition of the Blue Squared Bulletin. Includes a preview of this weekend's Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures and the latest transfer and Barrow AFC news:

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 3 by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 2 - FA Cup Roundup

Episode 2 features Barrow's latest injury blow and a round up of all the FA Cup action affecting the Blue Square Bet Premier sides:


Blue Squared Bulletin: Episode 2 - FA Cup Roundup by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Barrow’s Heartbreak as Rotherham Score Two Late Goals to Steal FA Cup Victory.

Barrow 1-2 Rotherham: Rudders Returns, Magic of the FA Cup and The Great Barrovian Robbery?

Barrow training ahead of their FA Cup First Round Tie against Rotherham

Barrow conceded two late goals to League Two side Rotherham United after leading for 67 minutes of the FA Cup First Round match. 

Paul Rutherford capitalised on the Rotherham keeper’s mistake to put the Bluebirds in the lead on the 15^th minute. Conrad Logan came off his line to deal with Richie Baker’s inswinging corner from the left hand side. After Logan's two failed attempts at punching it clear, the ball fell to Rutherford 16 yards out and he struck a sweet volley into the back of Rotherham's empty net.

Barrow was the better side for the first half and the early stages of the second, before Rotherham began to push a little deeper into the Bluebird’s half.

Lewis Grabban stole an equaliser on 82^nd minute by rifling the ball into the back of Danny Hurst’s net. The Barrow players crowded the linesman as Guy Branston appeared to be in an offside position in the build-up play leading to Grabban’s goal.

Grabban scored his second to earn Rotherham the winner after Paul Smith handballed in the area, giving Rotherham a penalty. Grabban sent the ball into the centre of Hurst's net from the penalty spot on 87^th minute to secure Rotherham’s place in the FA Cup Second Round.

Barrow Joint Boss Dave Bayliss was disappointed with the result but reassured fans that “no one’s died, it’s just a game of football” in my post match interview recorded for The Bay’s Goalzone.

All the match action can be heard in my post-match report for The Bay.

Rudders Returns

The day started with an excited atmosphere and the belief that giant killing was possible. Barrow were taking on Rotherham, a team only one league above the Blue Square Bet Premier.

As Adam Boyes scored four past Witton Albion to qualify for the FA Cup First Round, there was a great feeling among fans that Barrow could cause an upset against the Yorkshire side.

With no new injury worries, Barrow managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Lincoln City last week.

Phil Bolland was back as centre half after Adam Quinn returned to parent club Darlington at the end of his loan spell. Interestingly, Louis Almond was brought in to partner Adam Boyes upfront, dropping Andy Cook to the bench.

Barrow lined up in the usual 4-4-2 formation in the repeat of the 1988 FA Cup First Round fixture which saw Ray Wilkie’s Barrow lose 3-1 to Rotherham. This was the perfect opportunity for history to be rewritten.

Rotherham had an early half chance on the second minute as Lewis Grabban beautifully crossed from the right wing to set up Gareth Evans’ tame header at the back post.

Paul Rutherford had a bright start when he ran the ball into the left hand side of the box. He lost possession before the ball fell to Gavin Skelton who blazed his shot over the cross bar from 16 yards out.

With strong competition for places in Barrow’s midfield recently, Rutherford has had a quiet few months at Holker Street. By scoring his second goal of the season, Rudders has alerted that he still remains a valuable member of Barrow’s starting line up.

Moments after Rutherford’s goal, Adam Boyes was inches away from making it 2-0 when he received Jack Mackreth’s pass from the right wing. The keeper Logan had slightly lost his footing and Boyes hit the cross bar with his strike from 20 yards out.

Barrow’s Louis Almond was fierce and threatening upfront for the entire first half. The striker had a spectacular chance on 36^th minute when he broke from the centre circle and his powerful shot from 20 yards out was pushed wide by Logan’s diving save.

Jack Mackreth also had a lively first half as he tore up the right wing, challenging left back Tom Newey every time he got the ball.

There were several great attempts from Rotherham in the closing stages of the first half as Chris Holroyd broke into the box and was stopped by keeper Danny Hurst’s last ditch save.

On 47^th minute, the Millers’ Alex Revell cut through centre backs Phil Bolland and Mike Pearson and his drilled shot from 25 yards out was pushed over the crossbar by Hurst’s fingertips.

For 80 minutes it was a dynamic and confident performance from Barrow in the FA Cup tie. If the home side had scored the elusive second goal, it may have been a very different outcome.

The Great Barrovian Robbery?

Even though Barrow were the stronger side, Rotherham created several dangerous opportunities in the final 20 minutes. The Millers’ were able to push through Barrow’s midfield a little easier than the first half which created more attacking opportunities.

After Mackreth’s shot from 15 yards was saved by Conrad Logan, Rotherham started to edge further into Barrow’s half.

Rotherham substitute Danny Schofield blazed a shot high and wide from the great position of 8 yards out on the 64^th minute.

Moments later, Lewis Grabban produced a driving shot from 25 yards out which Hurst managed to push wide.

However, most of the press box still believed Barrow looked comfortable enough to hold onto the lead.

But the match was turned on its head in the closing ten minutes and the tie will be remembered by Barrow fans for decisions made by referee Mr Adcock.

From my view in the press box, Guy Branston did appear to be offside during the build up of Grabham’s first goal, but televised highlights will settle myths once and for all.

Furthermore, several fans and players questioned whether Paul Smith’s handball merited a penalty. Barrow’s captain Phil Bolland earned himself a yellow card for protesting so strongly against the referee’s decision to award it.  

Personally, I think the penalty was correct. By allowing the first goal, the fate of Barrow had already been sealed as it changed the match’s momentum and killed the Bluebirds’ confidence.  

Rotherham just had that final edge and took the opportunity to win when the penalty was awarded in the closing stages of the game.  

There was no question that Barrow deserved to win or at least earn a replay at the Don Valley Stadium. However, the team must now move on and take heart from their brilliant performance against League Two opposition.

The Bluebirds have produced some fantastic performances in the league and will progress in the FA Trophy if they continue this good form.

Barrow’s left back Gavin Skelton said Barrow need to come back fighting after the defeat in my interview for The Bay Goalzone.


Gavin Skelton Interview - Barrow v Rotherham Utd FA Cup by amyscarisbrick


The Magic of the FA Cup 

Even though it was heartbreaking for Barrow’s players and fans, the event itself was a memorable occasion.  

When the players came out the tunnel, the Ray Wilkie Stand was full of homemade flags and blue streamers and confetti.

3030 fans came to watch the FA Cup First Round in the highest attendance at Holker Street this season. The atmosphere was electric for most of the match and it was nice to see Barrow’s fans support their players.

Even when the match was lost, the fans cheered and clapped the players off the pitch which shows how positive the Bluebird’s performance was.

The biggest disappointment of the cup tie was definitely the absence of the Chuckle Brothers. Away on holiday abroad, lifelong Rotherham fans Barry and Paul Chuckle were unable to visit Holker Street. They will now get the chance to travel to League Two's Shrewsbury Town in the Second Round of the FA Cup next month.

Barrow training before the match

On a positive note, I finally found fame at the weekend. I was sat next to the Sky Sports News reporter at the match and my radio reports for The Bay were heard in the background of Soccer Saturday. I will take this as a minor victory from the day as it brings me one step closer to Jeff Stelling at least.

Barrow now travel to Colne in the Lancashire Co-operative Trophy on Tuesday night. But all eyes will turn to next Saturday’s home league match against York City. Raising the stakes of this tough fixture even higher is the long anticipated return of Barrow’s Wembley hero Jason Walker.

Let’s see what Barrow’s new Boyes can do against “you know who.”

@amyscarisbrick

Barrow: Hurst Smith Skelton M Pearson (Nicholas 87) Bolland (Capt) Mackreth Baker Owen Rutherford Boyes Almond (Cook 78)

Subs not used: S Pearson Ferrell Sheridan Lomax

Rotherham Utd: Logan Tonge Newey Harrison Foster (Schofield 59) Evans Taylor Revell Branston Holroyd (Williams 60) Grabban

Subs not used: Warrington Marshall Banks Mullins Pringle

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk

Blue Squared Bulletin: Review of the Week and FA Cup Previews

Here is the first of my Blue Squared Bulletins that will be avaliable every monday and friday.

Monday's episodes look back at the Blue Square Bet Premier's action, while friday's will review the week and preview the weekend's fixtures.

Top Stories, Barrow AFC news, Transfer News and FA Cup fixtures in this episode:

Blue Squared Bulletin: Podcast episode 1 by amyscarisbrick

@amyscarisbrick

Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk