Barrow 1-2 Rotherham: Rudders Returns, Magic of the FA Cup and The Great Barrovian Robbery?
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| 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 15th 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 82nd 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 87th 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 36th 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 47th 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 64th 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.
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.
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| 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.”
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
Contact the author: ascarisbrick@uclan.ac.uk
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