Barrow AFC v Stevenage Borough
Blue Square Premier
Saturday 30th August 2008
Holker Street
Kick-Off: 3pm
Stevenage Borough face a long journey to Cumbria this weekend to take on league newcomers Barrow.
Monday’s game against Crawley not only resulted in a much needed point for Graham Westley’s men, but also saw their best performance of the season so far. A more assured backline and energetic midfield formed the basis for Borough’s positive showing which would have resulted in the first victory of the campaign had the referee followed his own lead by ruling out the Crawley equaliser, just as he disallowed an identical Vincenti strike earlier in the game. Borough will certainly be looking to build on Monday’s result this weekend, but face a tricky game against last year’s Blue Square North playoff winners.
Barrow are certainly the surprise package so far of this Blue Square Premier season, sitting in third place with ten points from their five games. Under the watchful eyes of joint managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan, the Bluebirds started their season by demolishing Oxford at Holker Street, before taking maximum points against Altrincham and Mansfield plus a creditable draw at York. Their narrow 2-1 defeat at Cambridge has been their only blip so far but the early season form of their players has already attracted several recent enquiries from other clubs.
Last time we met…
The two teams have not met in any competition since 1999 when Barrow were last in non league’s top flight. The penultimate game of that season saw the Bluebirds win 2-1 at Broadhall Way to avenge Borough’s 1-0 victory at Holker Street on the opening day of the campaign. Carl Alford was the Stevenage goal scorer in both these games.
Borough line-up: Chris Taylor; Lee Harvey, Mark Smith, Lee Howarth (Dwayne Plummer), Robin Trott (Dominic Naylor), Michael Love; Jimmy Strouts, Ryan Kirby, Ross Harrison; Carl Alford, Richard Leadbeater (Steve Butler)
Team News
Both centre half Steve McNulty (groin) and striker Paul Tait (ankle) will face fitness tests for Barrow before Saturday’s game. Defender Lee Woodyatt is likely to be out for much of the season after suffering a double leg break in a pre-season friendly.
Borough are likely to keep the same starting XI as last Monday with Chris Day expected to remain in goal. Peter Vincenti could make his second consecutive start after impressing against Crawley but Eddie Anaclet will also be hoping for a recall after recent illness. David Bridges (foot) and John Martin (eye infection) remain out.
The Barrow Scout Report
Recent Form
The Bluebirds recent form has been excellent with three wins from their five games, scoring eleven goals whilst conceding seven. Their two matches at Holker Street have both resulted in victories, against Oxford and Mansfield. Borough may have only been in the lead twice this season, for a combined total of 60 minutes, but an early goal would be great to settle the nerves as Barrow have yet to drop a point when opening the scoring.
Expected line-up for Saturday
Tim Deasy; Andrew Bond, Steve McNulty, Paul Jones, Black; Matt Henney, Ashley Winn, Boyd, Carlos Logan; Jason Walker, Lee Hunt
Subs from: Chris Thompson, Darren Sheridan, David Bayliss, Nick Rogan, Mike Pearson Mark Ayres, Aaran Taylor, Paul Tait
Key Men
When he arrived at the club over the summer new signing Lee Hunt would have been hoping to score the goals to fire Barrow away from this year’s relegation zone, but thus far has contributed to a team chasing for a playoff place. A self-employer bricklayer, the 27-year old was a prolific striker during his time in the League of Wales where he struck 112 goals in 198 appearances whilst playing for both Bangor City and more recently Rhyl. Hunt has just the single goal so far for the Bluebirds, at York on Monday afternoon, but will be hoping to score many more throughout his first campaign at this level.
Meanwhile in midfield will be Mark Boyd. The 25-year old Carlisle-born player has enjoyed decent spells at Port Vale, Southport and Sligo Rovers since being at Newcastle as a youngster, before joining Barrow in January 2008 and helping them to playoff glory. With shorter, less productive spells also at Carlisle, Gretna, Macclesfield and Accrington, Boyd’s experience will be vital in shaping Barrow’s season just as much as his ability from set pieces.
PREVIEW BY DAVE TOYN
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