Barrow v Torquay match thread

[andyg]

Only been to two home games this season (been to 4 away though). The two home games have been Eastleigh & Torquay. I might be the good luchk charm Barrow need. Who will sponsor me to come up to the next few home games!!!

[andyg]

My recor this season of watching Barrow is 6 games - 4 wins and 2 defeats - play off form at least - Mr Casson please sponsor me

[blue nige]

My recor this season of watching Barrow is 6 games - 4 wins and 2 defeats - play off form at least - Mr Casson please sponsor me

If he won't I'm sure edmo will!

[Optimism]

The Darren Edmondson revival begins?

We handled the wet and windy conditions well, with accurate directness and the width of Otis Khan and Andy Haworth instrumental in overpowering relegation-troubled Torquay.

Otis Khan was outstanding. Comfortable on either foot, sharp, competitive for his stature, for an 18 year old loanee to be so influential among new colleagues says a lot about him and his potential. On being substituted, he received one of the loudest Holker St standing ovations I can recall. For a talented young lad making his way, that must have been an inspiring end to a fantastic day. Our manager, I suspect more appreciative than most in attendance, ensured his personal excellence would be properly congratulated.

For a while we have lacked central threat from midfield when attacking; an extra threat in the box when we go forward. Aside from his direct running and craft out wide, Khan provided that to clinical effect today.

For the opener, Andy Haworth, resisting tumbling in the area when a Torquay defender lunged in, chased the loose ball to the right touchline then delivered a low skidding cross to the back of the area. Khan, centrally placed, volleyed the bouncing cross right footed high into the right corner, showing excellent technique where so often a player will clear the wall at the back of the stand.

Prior to the second goal, Khan turned creator: Walker returning his pass on halfway with a deft backheel that released the speedy startlet on a surge forward through the middle at pace. He found Haworth out right, who burrowed in and smacked against the bar.

A minute or two later, the Haworth-Khan combination had created the pivotal second. Haworth's industry and pace beat his marker down the right, before rolling in a cross, possibly dummied by Walker near the edge of the box, finding Khan, who sumptuously curled home, once more first time and high to the 'keeper's left. Decisive counter-attacking: crosses finding men - or rather the main man Khan - and finishes of the highest order.

The third was also Otis-inspired, this time showcasing his wide ability. Dispossessing an opponent, getting to the byline, standing up a left-footed cross for Cook to volley, the 'keeper parry, and Jason Walker to head in simply from a couple of yards.

I was pleased to see Simon Grand back in his element out there. Vocal and commanding, he, like Danny Livesey, seemed to relish the messy aerial defending required, and by the time Torquay were finished in the second half, he was confidently intercepting and striding out to set us loose on further attacks. His often derided lofts were today played into challenging areas, and it was his precise ball into Walker, who cleverly touched it inside, that isolated the last man and induced the red card for a professional foul. Dave Symington is showing his versatility, slotting back into probably his best position of right back with ease. Ryan O'Reilly, naturally a centre-back, came straight in at left back barely knowing his team-mates, and performed very competently.

It was pleasing to see Alex Ray Harvey and Dan Pilkington have lively cameos into the free spaces towards the end. Even big Benjamin van den Broek got a brief airing, replacing Cook up front, and tucking away with composure when set free - unfortunately while being flagged offside. In injury time, Pilkington's cross-shot from the left thudded the far post, falling to Haworth to strike home left-footed to deservedly make it 4-0 and push us into rout territory. By this stage, confidence visibly returning, football seemed joyful again, if a little soggy.

As a note of caution, after we went 1-0 up, a generally poor Torquay had a spell of perhaps 15 minutes where they controlled possession, as again our central midfield struggled to retain or command. We really struggled in this period, the pressure building on our over-worked defence, and a one-on-one opportunity - Torquay's only real chance of the afternoon - was thankfully spurned. Sufficiently concerned, during a break in play, Edmondson called Paddy Lacey and Niall Cowperthwaite over to the dugout to have a word. They were tighter thereafter and, as ever, worked hard. Wanting to remain constructively critical, and at risk of repetition, the middle two remains our weakest area and needs to see improvement.

Referee Martin Coy had an impressive game, as he did in our 3-2 win over Chester. Authoritative without being fussy, not rushing in with yellows, playing some good advantages, and getting the red card decision correct.

Well done, lads!

[boyliegladbach]

Torquay were rubbish, I will give my opinion next week after Dover. Then we can see were we are

[Jo am back]

Where's the clown who normally comes on criticising everything Barrow ?

[boyliegladbach]

Where's the clown who normally comes on criticising everything Barrow ?

I'm here.
Although Edwin 4-0 our centre midfield was rubbish. One wins it gives it to the other and he loses it.
I could pass a ball better than cowps after 12 pints.

[boyliegladbach]

Git to agree with optimism up there ^^^
The lad kahns got a good and well deserved applause from all the ground.
He's a real player

[Big E]

We did a job against a poor side, so credit where it's due.

The same frailties are there though: we waste the ball too much, our passing from midfield at times is embarrassing and a good team will play through us comfortably. In January we must find a controlling midfield player, even if it means paying money for the right man. At times today we were so frenetic and rushed, it needed someone in there to calm it down and control our play.
We are a young side and need some experience in there to help them along the way.

[thegaffer77]

Got to be happy with a 4 nil win. Had a funny feeling we would score 4 and so we did.
Get in.

[ant]

We did a job against a poor side, so credit where it's due.

The same frailties are there though: we waste the ball too much, our passing from midfield at times is embarrassing and a good team will play through us comfortably. In January we must find a controlling midfield player, even if it means paying money for the right man. At times today we were so frenetic and rushed, it needed someone in there to calm it down and control our play.
We are a young side and need some experience in there to help them along the way.

Good constructive post.

[Pedro]

The Headmaster is happy with Citizen Kahn but he with the nice haircut and the deputy prefect must go

[Jo am back]

Where's the clown who normally comes on criticising everything Barrow ?

I'm here.
Although Edwin 4-0 our centre midfield was rubbish. One wins it gives it to the other and he loses it.
I could pass a ball better than cowps after 12 pints.

It certainly ain't you, your posts are honest,constructive and supportive

[Moribund]

Walker was crap up until about the hour mark and then decided he could be bothered after all as there was an opportunity to bag some goals against one of the worst sides we've faced in some time.

You honestly think he couldn't be bothered ? Like really ?

You post some utter [SwearFilter]

Like really.
Haha, calm down, you boring old [SwearFilter].

I was half joking, but tell me, aside from a back-heel and rolling a one-on-one back to the keeper, what did he contribute in the first hour?

[themaster]

You honestly think he couldn't be bothered ? Like really ?

You post some utter [SwearFilter]

Like really.
Haha, calm down, you boring old [SwearFilter].

I was half joking, but tell me, aside from a back-heel and rolling a one-on-one back to the keeper, what did he contribute in the first hour?

There's a difference between not be being bothered and not contributing.
He was poor first half , nothing stuck or came off for him , but to actually question if Jason is bothered about playing is wrong.