Barrow 0-2 U's: The Sirens and the Prams
Tuesday 17th March 2009 - Barrow 0-2 U's: The Sirens and the Prams
"The Abbey Musical Society presents 'Titanic'." The posters plastered around Barrow's Holker Street ground sounded like a portent of imminent doom for the visiting U's, but they had not come all this way for nothing. An impressive contingent of over 100 visiting supporters began to trickle into town in mid-afternoon, including a full away travel coach, although some of us had had the foresight to book an overnight stay at the Travelodge which was literally the other side of the Walney Road from the football ground. Most convenient.
Barrow is a long, long way away. Far away from Cambridge, far away from just about anywhere, stuck at the end of a remote peninsula overlooking Morecambe Bay, just south of where the Lakes start and about an hour on winding roads from the M6. The journey was picturesque, on a clear sunny day, past rocky outcrops, expansive vistas and field after field of sheep, but there was hardly a human being to be seen on roads with signs promising faintly menacing sounding places like Witherslack, Swarthmoor and Haverthwaite. Not to mention Ulverston; anyone remember the Glen Campbell song? "Ulverston, oh Ulverston..." Please yourselves.
Barrow-in-Furness was the end of the line, in every way, and a foray into town was interesting to say the least. Seagulls whirled and swooped overhead, their desolate cries competing with the regular ululations of sirens, as a regular stream of ambulances, police cars and even the odd fire engine flashed by. A cosy Weatherspoon's awaited, offering a mixed grill and a drink for £6.99 and a free Guinness hat to anyone who could sink four pints of the black stuff on Ireland's patron saint's day.
From that cosy vantage point one could indulge in a spot of people watching, and by George, they breed them tough-looking round these parts. Every female under thirty seemed to be pushing a pram or a pushchair, or was with one who was, while the gents favoured sporty leisurewear with a fair smattering of England shirts on view... but no Barrow shirts. The rush hour arrived with no appreciable increase in the sparse traffic, presumably because most people who work in Barrow also live in Barrow. Either that or they're all unemployed, and things aren't THAT bad. Yet.
Soon match time beckoned, and after a quick shufty at a pretty decent statue of local boy Emlyn Hughes, looking as if he was just sliding in to clatter someone from behind, it was time to repair to Holker Street, a ground not visited by the U's since the 1971-72 season, after which Barrow were replaced in the League by Hereford United. And by the look of it, it has remained unchanged ever since.
Not that that is an intrinsically bad thing. Holker Street has a character all its own and is infinitely preferable to some of the soulless identikit sheds that have sprung up over the last few years. Painted throughout in royal blue and white, the only seats were in the main stand along one side, which stood opposite a sizeable covered terrace. Both ends were open terraces, and the amber hordes had been allocated one corner, a slightly awkward fit because segregation is something of a rarity at Barrow.
We had half of one end terrace, a tiny affair which backed onto the supporters club and was bisected by the players' entrance to the pitch, and one corner which curved round almost to the main stand. This corner was much more elevated than the end terrace, including one floodlight pylon, and charmingly, at the top stood a lone, rather dilapidated wooden bench, angled to face the pitch and donated in 1991 by friends of one Billy Childs. The temptation to watch the match from this unique vantage point was just too much to resist, even if the far corner of the pitch was obscured by the main stand.
Just along from that was the club shop, a delightful brick hut with an ornate front door seemingly taken from one of the terraced houses thereabouts, and stuffed with old Barrow and other non-League programmes and assorted bric-a-brac. I gathered from PA announcements that another temporary 'alternative' club shop had been set up elsewhere due to it being in our segregated area.
The floodlights seemed to have about half of their bulbs working, leading to some distinctly dark patches out on the pitch. The gents' lavs in one corner had been fenced off, so who knows how unspeakable they were. Away fans wishing to relieve themselves had to pass through a stewarded gate and use a miniscule brick hut next to the main stand, leading to substantial queues at times. This part of the 1970s was not nostalgically welcome. All of the staff were, however, unfailingly cheerful and welcoming.
The local supporters were a noisy lot, most congregated at the end where the United fans were stationed in the first half because that was the end Barrow were attacking; the majority drifted up to the other end at half-time, as is the non-League way when facilities allow. Their banners proclaimed, helpfully, that 'Bluebirds Are Always Blue' (not in an unhappy sense, one hopes) and that they were called 'Ultras Barrovia,' which sounds like Latin for something or other. Giant Wheelbarrow?
With vocal fans close to the pitch, and a mammoth journey for just about every visiting team, Barrow have made something of a fortress for themselves at Holker Street, with only four home league defeats in seventeen games this season, but thirteen away losses have dumped them in the bottom four after their promotion last season. Joint manager Darren Sheridan summed up his club's attitude, however, in his notes in the matchday programme: "But are we downhearted? No!"
Unusually, Barrow were selling photocopied team sheets for 20p as an alternative, or supplemental to, the £2.50 programme, and they revealed a home side lacking in any familiar names apart from journeyman striker Lee Steele, although it was somewhat surprising to see former Altrincham winger Carlos Logan playing at left-back. The paucity of the Bluebirds' squad was revealed by the presence of both joint managers, David Bayliss and 41-year-old Darren Sheridan, on the bench.
United unsurprisingly retained the same starting line-up for the fourth game in a row, only change being amongst the subs as Andy Parkinson's gammy ear kept him out to allow fit-again Lee Phillips to appear for the first time since his debut at Histon.
Barrow's game plan was not unlike that of our county neighbours: get the ball forward quickly and directly, shoot early, chase and harry and play everything at 100 mph on a hard, bumpy pitch. Such tactics are usually evidence of a relative lack of quality at the heart of a team, but at this level (and higher) a lot of effort and organisation can go a long way. United's game plan, for the first half anyway, was to resist as stoutly and with as little ceremony as possible - an easy can-do for Phil Bolland and Wayne Hatswell - then when Barrow started to tire, start knocking it around and get that vital first goal.
It was easy, however, to see how teams less strong than the U's could be steamrollered by the hosts' power game - the ball must have barely touched the ground when they beat Histon last week - especially on a cold, dark night with a chilly, swirling wind at their backs.
The opening exchanges (OK, the opening 45 minutes) defined the word scrappy, with Barrow in the ascendant and United somewhat on the back foot. First shot, however, went to the visitors when the ball dropped for Chris Holroyd on 4, but he fired hurriedly over the top. The hosts were happy to shoot from distance and Mark Boyd's effort from distance on 8 bounced on the roof of the net, while a couple of minutes later Steele let fly from the edge of the box but missed the target.
Although the contest was fiercely competitive there was little niggle, and Robbie Willmott was unlucky to be carded on 15 for a challenge for a bouncing ball with Andy Bond, the ref seeming to cave in to pressure from the Old Barrovians. Steele clashed with Hatswell not long after, but ref Duncan settled for a brief lecture.
Danny Potter was well protected by his back four and had little to do as long as he kept alert to long shots like Bond's on 20, which he gathered without much fuss. Otherwise there was little action of note, Paul Carden and Jai Reason struggling to get their foot on the ball and feed wingers or strikers, while Barrow battered away gamely but with precious little precision or quality. The cold wind left several spectators wishing they had brought more winter wear.
The hosts gained a free-kick on 35 when Bolland was penalised for fouling Steele, but Boyd's scudder was clutched by Potter in a crowded box. Reason responded with a close-range shot which was saved by home keeper Tim Deasy, who also grabbed a Hatswell header from Anthony Tonkin's cross at the first half drew to a close, the final action seeing Reason test the Bluebirds' number one who blocked then picked up his shot before any marauding U could pounce.
Of the two sides, United were probably happier goalless at the interval, having drawn Barrow's sting and found little to really worry them. They would, however, have to involve the forwards more in part two if they were to pick up three points to equal their table-topping rivals, who were putting the hapless Weymouth scratch side to the routine sword.
With the best will in the world, if Weymouth cannot field a competitive side and continue handing other sides three easy points that teams they played earlier in the season have been denied, they should be expelled from this division and their record expunged, if only to be fair to everyone else in this chaotic league.
United attacked the end populated by their own doughty supporters in part two, and it was very soon apparent that they were beginning to get the upper hand as Carden and Reason began to enjoy more time on the ball and Willmott, freed from the baying mob who were getting on his back in the first half, started to test Logan and co.
Courtney Pitt was not having so much luck on the other wing, losing his footing when presented with an opportunity to run at the Barrow defence, then Reason crossed to Rendell and his first-time swinger hit Holroyd in the back, then on 56 came - gasp! - the first corner of the evening, but it came to nought.
Seven minutes later, however, the breakthrough finally came, and it came from a long ball hoisted down the middle by Bolland. Centre-back Marcus Holness let it bounce, and as he hesitated, Holroyd was away, his lightning pace leaving his oppo for dead. Deasy advanced to intercept, but the U's striker did well to control a high-bouncing ball and hook it past the home keeper, through his legs and into the net. 1-0.
It was a devastating blow for the hosts, and United now began to take a firm grip on proceedings, knocking it around nicely while Barrow chased shadows. On 66 Carden curled a corner into the six-yard box and Rendell, almost in a sitting position, had an understrength header blocked on the line, the clearance falling to Dan Gleeson who blazed over the top like a true right-back.
Willmott was now firing some challenging crosses into the box and blasted an ambitious long-range shot wide on 70, Carden and Reason sending him gambolling down the right flank time and again. Reason saw yellow rather harshly for a foul on Paul Brown on 80. The match was over as a contest, however, three minutes later.
Gleeson flighted a free-kick deep into the box and found Holroyd, who controlled neatly with his back to goal ten yards out. In one swift movement he turned and before his marker, Paul Jones, could react, he had fired ruthlessly left-footed into the net past a helpless Deasy. 2-0.
Three minutes from time Barrow finally gained their first corner, Boyd finding Lee Hunt, but he was well marshalled by Hatswell. Then United broke away again and a deflected high ball found Holroyd onside and sprinting clear of the puffing home defence again. This time he had almost too much time on his hands and with only Deasy to beat, his over-deliberate right-footed shot was read by the keeper and palmed away. Should have been his first hat-trick for United.
With two minutes to be added Jon Challinor replaced Reason, Barrow rather surprisingly having made no move to change their starting line-up even though they were being outplayed. Carden's free-kick found Rendell on the penalty spot, rising to comfortably beat a flailing Deasy to the ball, but as it bounced goalward Holroyd darted between two defenders and prodded home, only to be flagged offside. Pure instinct, but if he had left it Rendell would have added to his already considerable season's total.
The last shot went to the gallant hosts, Hunt slashing wide, then it was all over, and an uncomfortable first half had become a comfortable away win, United's game plan having worked a treat and their extra quality having proven just too much for the willing but limited hosts.
The chase continues, and 100 or so United supporters can boast proudly of the midweek night they saw the U's win 270 miles from home. Barrow is a proud and passionate club and it was pleasure and an experience to visit them. If only they weren't so far away!
Statto Corner
Today saw United's first-ever win in Barrow, at the third attempt. In the 1970-71 season the U's lost 2-1 at Holker Street, drawing 3-3 in the return, then the following term drew 1-1 there before defeating the Bluebirds 1-0 at the Abbey. The attendance of 1,031 at Barrow versus the U's on 27th November 1971 remains Holker Street's lowest ever attendance for a Football League match.
Barrow lost their League place in 1972 despite finishing only third bottom, thanks to the iniquitous voting system of the time. In those days, the bottom four in Division 4 had to apply for re-election, and any non-League club which wanted to could also apply to be voted in instead. In the first poll, Northampton gained 49 votes and Crewe and Stockport received 46 each, so they were safe. Barrow were tied in fourth with non-League Hereford United on 26 votes, so it went to a second ballot, which Hereford won by 29 votes to 20. They were in, and Barrow were banished to the Northern Premier League.
To add to the irony, Hereford were not even champions of their own league, having finished runners-up to Chelmsford City in the Southern League, but the publicity they had received in a famous FA Cup run that included victories over Northampton and Newcastle and a draw with West Ham secured them the votes they needed. Chelmsford did not even apply for election, but in the original ballot Bradford Park Avenue, Cambridge City and Wimbledon each gained one vote each, while Bangor City, Bedford Town, Boston United, Hillingdon Borough, Romford, Telford United, Wigan Athletic and Yeovil Town garnered no votes at all.
The voting system lasted until the 1985-86 season, when our own Mighty U's were involved for the first and last time. By then, only the Conference champions were allowed to compete with the bottom four League clubs, and the voting went resoundingly against them; totals were Exeter City 64 votes, Preston North End 62.5, Cambridge United 61, Torquay United 61, Enfield 7.5. Yes, seven and a half votes. Next season automatic promotion and relegation was introduced, and Lincoln were the first compulsory relegatees, replaced by Scarborough.
Today was Paul Carden's fiftieth league match for United (excluding playoffs). The team's record in those games is won 27, drawn 13, lost 10. His classic strike against Oxford in January remains his only goal in black'n'amber.
If the name Lee Steele on the Barrow team sheet seems familiar, it should; it was the thirteenth time he has played against the U's. He has appeared three times for Shrewsbury (1997-99), twice for Brighton (2001-02), twice for Oxford (2003-04), twice for Leyton Orient (2004-05) and three times for Northwich (2007-08). In all those games he was on the winning side only once, a 4-3 win for Brighton at the Withdean in January 2002 which included a hat-trick for Bobby Zamora. He has scored against United twice, once for Orient in a 1-1 draw at the Abbey in August 2004, and once for Northwich in their 2-1 away defeat in November 2007.
Player Ratings
Potter 8. Stood firm and made the saves he had to when necessary.
Gleeson 8. Steady as he goes.
Bolland 9. Outstanding against Barrow's first-half barrage.
Hatswell 8. Rock-like as usual.
Tonkin 8. Good, solid job.
Willmott 9. Tormented the hosts at will during the second half.
Carden 9. Took charge after Barrow had blown themselves out and ran the show in part two.
Reason 8. Partnered Carden in midfield dominance.
Pitt 7. Not at his best, losing possession too often, but played his part.
Holroyd 9. Just gets better and better.
Rendell 8. Excellent target man and unlucky to be denied a last-minute goal.
Challinor 6. Barely on long enough to touch the ball.
Match Summary
Steely United did a thoroughly ruthless and professional job on tricky opponents Barrow, soaking up their blunt-instrument huffing and puffing in the first half then showing them what proper football is in the second with cool, accurate passing and teamwork and clinical finishing, and in the end three or four goals would not have flattered them.
Man of the Match
Chris Holroyd. That early potential is blossoming now with every game. Barrow could not cope with his pace and movement, and now he has added goal power to his game, the world is his lobster.
Ref Watch
Duncan 7. Seemed a little too easily influenced by the baying home supporters in the first half, but once United shut them up he kept control reasonably and calmly.
Becky's World of Wit and Wisdom
"Many coaches and managers when talking about success say that the only way to achieve this is by hard work on and off the field. This I agree with but I would go further and say that hard work has great healing powers. If you are lonely... work! If you are worried or fearful... work! If you are discouraged or defeated... work! Work is the key to happiness." [Ipswich, 21/3/92]
Hello... Goodbye
Today's birthday boy is Alex Russell (1973). An exciting creative force at his best in United's last promotion side of 1998-99, he scored eight goals in 98 games before moving on to rejoin Roy McFarland at Torquay. Now firmly in the veteran category, he is currently on loan at Exeter from Cheltenham.
This day in 2001 saw the United debut of two strikers of widely varying talent: Dave Kitson and Marcus Richardson. They both came off the bench, replacing John Taylor and Omer Riza, at Stoke City, and it was Richardson who was the hero as he scored a stunning last-minute winner in a 3-2 victory with a miskicked bobbler.
History shows, however, that it was Kitson who entered U's history as one of the most talented footballers ever to wear the black'n'amber, scoring 40 goals in 102 League games after joining for £5,000 from Arlesey Town. His controversial sale to Reading at the end of 2003 was a low point in what became the blackest period in the club's history over the following couple of years. Now back on loan from Stoke to Reading, he scored his first goal of the season in the Royals' 1-0 win at Doncaster on the same night the U's won at Barrow.
While Kitson had the lot - skill, vision, pace, passing ability, intelligence, etc etc- Richardson's main asset was his unpredictability, being so awkward I'm not sure even he knew what he was going to so sometimes. He managed a meagre seven goals in 53 appearances before leaving for Torquay, but returned for another 20 league games in 2006-07, managing another three goals before moving on again to Crawley. He is currently at Farnborough, his twentieth club.
This day in 1987 marked the last game in U's colours for one of its all-time greats, Steve Spriggs, in a 3-0 home defeat by Aldershot. A record breaker in every way, he was United's smallest ever player at 5'2' but also the club's record Football League appearance maker, scoring 58 goals in 416 matches over twelve years. No-one at the Abbey ever had such a tireless engine, and his excellent goalscoring record for a midfielder is testament to his ability to hammer long-range goals in with that tiny but powerful frame.
Likeable Aussie winger Jon Brady played his last game for United on this day in 2001, in a 1-1 draw at Crawley. His favourite trick was to see how far outside the semi-circle he could place a ball when taking a corner, and it was remarkable how many times he got away with it.
There were two debut boys for the U's in that same Crawley match. Chris Flynn played all of two games on loan from Crewe, eventually moving on to Stafford, while Dan Gleeson made his second 'debut' after re-signing from Notts County. His original debut was on 1st November 2003, in a 2-2 draw at Kidderminster.
Soundtrack of the Day
Secret Machines 'Atomic Heels'
Parky's Pick of the Pops
Andy Parkinson lends an (injured) ear to the Holker Street sounds. "All right, lads and lasses? I love the seaside, me, especially Southport and Blackpool, although I couldn't find much in the way of sticks of rock or Kiss-Me-Kwik hats at Barrow! It's a bit early in the season for classic holiday hits like 'Tarzan Boy' or the lovely Sabrina's 'Boys (Summertime Love)' but they played some pretty cheerful stuff: classic Motown from Martha & The Vandellas, Seventies new wave from The Jam, Eighties pop from Duran Duran for instance.
"The more modern stuff wasn't so good, though like. I'm not a fan of Take That (sorry girls!) or Craig David, and the new Flo Rida song I can only describe as, well, cack! Maybe I'm getting old, eh! The runout music was nicked off Sunderland - Prokofiev followed by Republica, and they tossed a bit of ELP and Faithless in for good measure. All a bit of a mish-mash really, a bit like the Golden Mile I reckon! PPP verdict: 5/10. Must dash, I want to make a sandcastle before the coach goes!"
Andrew Bennett
Andrew's previous match reports
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