Barrow v Hednesford

[pjdaly]

The bad news is that Fylde's tremendous result at a place like Solihull leaves me with the gut feeling (if I didn't already have it) that they aren't going to stumble big time (i.e. they're going to win it).
The good news is that despite another massively unconvincing performance we still got the win and are still right in the mix for the play-offs.
The bad news is I wouldn't fancy us against the likes of Guiseley or Tamworth unless we raise our performances hugely by the time we get to those play-offs.
The good news is we would hopefully have all our missing players back by then and we would indeed lift our performances massively for any play-offs.
The bad news is, so would Guiseley, Tamworth or whoever.
The good news is the sun will rise again tomorrow.
The bad news is we might not see it because of the grey skies, the snow and the black ice we've just slipped on, leaving us face down in the gutter.
The good news is we only have to turn over to see the stars.
The question is whether we'll be seeing them perform on the HS pitch.

[Richard Ingham]

Nevertheless, a sense of reality is needed. We are probably a top 8 side that got a bit lucky in the first half of the season. We are still second, let's be thankful for small mercies.

This is a very good summary Jim.

[K_BFC]

One of the worst games of football I have seen for a few years. After Barrow's enthusiasm and closing down of the opening few minutes evaporated the game looked dead on it's feet. Both Barrow and Hednesford served up premium rate hoof ball for 75+ minutes. Both sides must have been on keepie uppie bonuses. On the occasion that either side did bring it down below head height, we did get some nice passing moves from both sides. Often though it was too many players just aimlessly hitting it into spaces where there was no one stood. Followed by too many players stood waiting for the ball to reach them allowing it to be instantly cut out, with most passes being too weak. Bread and butter to any defence at this level. A dire night and BBC RC comments about what games/apps they had on their phones to pass the time about summed it up.

Neither side looked like they were going to score although Barrow looked more threatening and Hednesford did have to put in some amazing last ditch tackles to save their bacon especially in the 1st half. Most notable, Walker should have scored in the 1st from 6 yards out but was tackled trying a diving header and Cook put it the wrong side of the post. Then in the 2nd Cook in the clear missed the target when he went for power and shot woefully high over the bar. Hednesford had a few half chances and McMillan did have to save the ball a number of times, (as it has already been pointed out) his opposite number didn't make a save all game. I'm having deja vu, I'm sure this has happened before.

However the opposition keeper did have to pick the ball out of the net twice, as the game was graced with two of the best goals I've seen this season. Shame that it took Hednesford to score for Barrow to wake up and start playing. Their shot blocked at the first attempt fell to the left of the goal for the player to have a second attempt. McMillan still readjusting was unable to hold on to the drive. At the other end a cross from the left and Cook coming from behind the last defender finished with a shot low to the near post without breaking his stride. Then a 25(?) yard free kick curled in off the near post from Sheridan. The were very good goals but I can't help feeling that it was the relief that made them feel so much better.

Confidence has been looking really low and the crowd got on the backs of the players for parts of the game, especially in the lead up to the Hednesford goal, which compounded the problem but they responded well with the 2 late goals. A win is a win, much needed and a real confidence boost after the disastrous run of late. Need to keep it up against Colwyn Bay.

The bad news is that Fylde's tremendous result at a place like Solihull leaves me with the gut feeling (if I didn't already have it) that they aren't going to stumble big time (i.e. they're going to win it).

...The bad news is I wouldn't fancy us against the likes of Guiseley...

We won't be playing Guiseley again.

All a bit last minute last night but I wouldn't read anything into a result at Solihull. Their home record is among the worst in the league at the moment, their away record is what has them in the top half of the table. More influential is just as we kept in front of Guiseley with a double over them, Fylde are out in front of us with a double as well. That has done the real damage. They are in the lead with confidence and lack of injury crisis on their side right now. They still have a lot of games to go, mighty Oxford City are up next

[K_BFC]

Boot room versus Hednesford is on YouTube

[Matty]

Livesey suffered a slight ligament injury, but is confident of a return at the weekend according to Radio Cumbria on Twitter.

[Shaun]

One of the worst games of football I have seen for a few years....

You never went to the Runcorn FA Cup game then, I take it?

[K_BFC]

One of the worst games of football I have seen for a few years....

You never went to the Runcorn FA Cup game then, I take it?

Sorry I've blocked that from my memory, I can't go there.

[Arvo]

...The bad news is I wouldn't fancy us against the likes of Guiseley...

We won't be playing Guiseley again.

I think pj meant the possibility of playing Guiseley in the play-offs.

[blue nige]

Do you know what I seriously wonder what most of you so called Barrow supporters expect football wise,your watching 6th tier football on a cold windy night what do you expect tippy tally football with perfect player control with inch perfect passing,come on for [SwearFilter] sake.Tonight we played some decent passing football at times and gave 100% comittment,yes we wasted a lot of ball and didn't create a lot but I can say we were far better than they were.As for people who moan [SwearFilter] moan all the time ,stay at home and watch the premiership.

i agree wth this when i set off to go i knew it wouldn`t be a classic and a win would do!

if anybody on this forum has played football they know how hard it is to play decent stuff in those kind of conditions!


hednesford have been on a good run and they ruined the second half with their constant time wasting and some iffy tackling and constant whinging!


it wasn`t pretty but i can`t fault any of the players for the effort they all put in!

[Ste Story]

However, in mitigation, RC commentators and Edmo himself mentioned that teams come to Barrow to shut up shop and play for a point, which makes it very hard.

Just wanna pick up on this point because it's thrown around quite a bit and is actually a bit lazy and incorrect.

I've mentioned it before, but the problem comes with our inability to counter attack and the pedestrian pace of which we transition the ball from back to front. Christ knows how it's so slow because we play long ball all the time but we never properly counter attack teams, preferring to check back in or play sideways on the edge of the box, we always let them get ten men back and defend, then complain that they're shutting up shop and playing for a point.

If we actually start to play with a bit of tempo and look to hit teams on the break you'll find alot more space and attacking potential is there game to game, we just don't capitalise on it.

[K_BFC]

Highlights up on official site and on YouTube

We won't be playing Guiseley again.

I think pj meant the possibility of playing Guiseley in the play-offs.

Ah, yes, miss read. Don't think we'll play them again somehow, if we do I'd like to think Telford all over again.

[mally]

All this talk of a slip up for Fylde coming somewhere down the line is a complete nonsense.They are top because they have the right qualities with consistency who can take the game to the opposition from the kick off and maintain it.That,is the difference between them and us even when We were at full strength,Reid and Gorman spring to mind,two wide players who never seemed to be able to do it from the off and keep it up so were then used as impact players for effectiveness until even that tactic died a death.
Play offs are our only hope now and I really don't fancy our chances there either.

[Big E]

All this talk of a slip up for Fylde coming somewhere down the line is a complete nonsense.They are top because they have the right qualities with consistency who can take the game to the opposition from the kick off and maintain it.That,is the difference between them and us even when We were at full strength,Reid and Gorman spring to mind,two wide players who never seemed to be able to do it from the off and keep it up so were then used as impact players for effectiveness until even that tactic died a death.
Play offs are our only hope now and I really don't fancy our chances there either.

How can you say they won't slip up this early in the season? It only takes a few injuries a surprise result here and there and then who knows. At this level consistency is an issue with all clubs and players, that's why they are at this level.

The important thing is we are still 2nd having had a horrendous month and not really played well for a few months. I'd rather have a wee blip now then in teh last month of the season. There's plenty more twists to come in the race for the title yet.

If they can hold their form and win the league comfortably, well fair play to them.

[Kieran]

This argument that players are at this level because of a lack of consistency baffles me, its complete [SwearFilter]. What about the year both Stalybridge and Emley got over 100 points, were they not consistent? Or when Kettering ran away with the league? Or when... . you get the picture.

Players are at this level because their ability isn't enough to allow them to play at a higher level, consistency may sometimes be a part of that but isn't the be all and end all.

[Steelworks End]

Can but repeat what Ray Wilkie said.

You see a player do something that's absolutely brilliant, and wonder why he can't do it every week.
Then you realise that if he could, he wouldn't be playing at this level.

Most - but not all - players find their level. If they were more consistent, or had more footballing ability, they would play at a higher level; if they weren't quite so good, they would drop down a level.

Money does of course have the ability to skew this, as a player may be tempted to drop a division for a bigger pay packet. But generally skill, ability, and attitude will determine where a player earns his living.