We were awful but we’re clear
THE Boxing Day fixture has traditionally been one of large crowds and to hear that the attendance at Holker Street was the largest seen in Barrow since 1969 was simply outstanding but hardly surprising given that it was the League’s top two teams playing.
The Flyer made great time as the roads were very quiet and we arrived in plenty of time but were greeted, sadly, by closed turnstiles, no hot food and a new stand that has more seats with restricted views.
And if you looked closely there were missing seats, nos 9, 10,11 and 12, I had 10 and 11, you can imagine the conversation with the stewards, in a packed stand, they were clueless.
The match was the proverbial “game of two halves”.
In the first we were awful and fell behind to two goals that looked offside.
Chally made early substitutes and just before the break Nick Powell played a one-two with the home defence before lashing in a shot to give us hope.
At the start of the second Akil Wright, rose highest to head home an Odin Bailey cross.
We had further chances but so did Barrow, one of which brought a world class save from Ben Hinchliffe. We left with a point and more importantly kept the Cumbrians at bay.
On Friday, it was another away day, this time at Bradford’s Valley Parade, a proper football ground.
The weather was atrocious, rain during the day meant a 6:15 pitch inspection and everyone on the Flyer was glued to their phones, thankfully it was game on and we, along with the other 2,500, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
It was never going to be a classic, the pitch was sticky and the rain was incessant but we dealt with the conditions the better.
We went long ball to Tanto, it was a good tactic, the problem was that he was caught off side far too often, even when he had the ball in the net the flag had already gone up to the immense dissatisfaction of the travelling faithful.
Changes were made at half time and we stepped up the pressure (Ryan Croasdale had a great chance but miss kicked the ball, Odin Bailey did the same) but nothing came of it and so we drew the second away game in a week.
Other results went our way and so we find ourselves five points clear at the top of the table, which is the place to be.
Happy New Year to you all.