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 96th 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 63rd 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 5th.
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 |
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 28th 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 66th 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 48th minute.
On the 73rd 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 91st 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 93rd minute, a frustrated Walker went in with his studs showing in a hard one footed challenge on former team mate James Owen.
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 93rd 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.
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.
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
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
No comments:
Post a Comment