Barrow v Crewe Alex match thread

[April1972]

Credit where it’s due. A gutsy performance today. Williams was excellent - MOM for me.

[BaveDayliss]

That was better (although hard to be worse)

Few scary moments, but to be expected, felt more of a team today.

Special mention to the knob head giving Stanway stick for not catching every single ball into the box, I thought he was great again today.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

What a difference a game makes, thought against Swindon we missed the “togetherness” that they had, but it was nice to see small things like the group huddle before the start.

Ive been critical of this group and stated imo Whing had lost the dressing room. Credit to them for proving me wrong today. The togetherness was their before KO with like you said the group huddle. The back slapping and high fives when blocks and tackles were made. Jackson giving it large to the popular side after making a great block late in the game was great to see.
Yes it wasnt pretty but what it did have was sheer grit and determination but most importantly three precouos points. Well done to all the squad and management team

[Barrow Lad New]

Dogged defending, good saves and a well taken goal following a corner proved to be the difference as the Bluebirds engineered a vital win against Crewe.

In the 7th minute, Mahoney had Barrow’s first shot on goal but it was saved. Three minutes later Fletcher shot wide.

On the quarter hour, Stanway pulled off the first of a number of good saves, this one a header from March.

Hutchinson was carded for Crewe in the 28th minute, and four minutes later Mahoney shot wide.

Crewe came close to scoring in the 40th minute. Tezgel heading over from close range following a Holicek cross.

An even first half, the 0-0 scoreline reflecting this.

Five minutes into the second half, an excellent save by Stanway denied Demetriou with a shot from distance following a corner.

Gordon was booked for a foul on Connolly in the 56th minute.

Two minutes later Barrow won a corner. After Jackson’s kick was initially cleared, he put the ball back in again for Fletcher to shoot past Booth for 1-0.

Crewe then made a couple of changes, Moult and Rankine replacing Tezgel and Holicek in the 64th minute.

In the 73rd minute, Stanway protected Barrow’s narrow lead with a superb save onto the bar from Billington.

Cameron had gone down in the 66th minute for treatment and in the 77th minute was replaced by Cameron. Crewe replaced an injured Connolly with Golding, and also sent on Lankester and Thomas for Agius and O’Reilly.

Two minutes later, Cameron had a shot saved for a corner. In the 82nd minute, Stanway saved from Thomas who was then booked.

A minute later, Stanway made another good save from Sanders.

Another minute later, a good run by Cameron found him with a shot on goal but he blasted well over the bar.

In the 86th minute, S.Smith came on for Mahoney while Stanway received a yellow for timewasting at the end of normal time. .

We survived the 5 minutes of added time to ensure the priceless 3 points.

Attendance was 3,177 including 389 visiting fans. Goalcorer Fletcher was Barrow’s man of the match.

[Rushy]

At last some control in midfield.
The difference that makes to the defence and going forward was plain to see.
Can we just put Booty out on loan as soon as possible now please.

[Barrow afc 2018]

Now that was Barrow as a team to a man. Happy birthday gaffer, you wear your heart on your sleeve and fully deserved that win. Keep em coming.

[StephenD]

Rode our luck a bit but as others have said much better. Fletcher and Williams stood out. Still look a bit toothless up front.

I wondered at half time if it could get called off, and see the Blackburn game went that way. Thought the referee did well particularly given the conditions.

[Jim]

At last some control in midfield.
The difference that makes to the defence and going forward was plain to see.
Can we just put Booty out on loan as soon as possible now please.

It will take time for Booty to settle. He might have flourished today in a more controlled midfield. Don’t write him off.

[MisterPleasant]

What a difference a game makes, thought against Swindon we missed the “togetherness” that they had, but it was nice to see small things like the group huddle before the start.

Ive been critical of this group and stated imo Whing had lost the dressing room. Credit to them for proving me wrong today. The togetherness was their before KO with like you said the group huddle. The back slapping and high fives when blocks and tackles were made. Jackson giving it large to the popular side after making a great block late in the game was great to see.
Yes it wasnt pretty but what it did have was sheer grit and determination but most importantly three precouos points. Well done to all the squad and management team

Adam referred to this in commentary and that it was led by Rob Kelly.

[Jonty]

Well played lads, a much needed win and confidence boost, but, ..we’ve got to build on this. Team huddle, playing towards HSE second half, high fives, Anything that will give us an extra couple of % out there, we need it.

[Bigfathoss]

Credit where it’s due. A gutsy performance today. Williams was excellent - MOM for me.

I thought he was the obvious choice too. Cleaned up everything in the middle.

[Scott5]

It sounds like today was what’s been missing in recent weeks, a bit of grit and determination, desire to defend and attack the ball and stop the opposition from scoring. Maybe not the greatest of games or footballing performances but what was needed, a hard fought win and clean sheet. The kind of performance that we saw a bit more towards the end of last season in particular port vale away.
It has to act as a kick start though, not a one off. No coincidence I think that we improve without Smith or Booty in the side, neither of whom have shown anywhere near enough so far. Fletcher looks a better footballer than I remember him being and made a real difference last week plus gives us a presence, likewise Williams. Now to build on it is the challenge.

[Bombadel]

Ive been critical of this group and stated imo Whing had lost the dressing room. Credit to them for proving me wrong today. The togetherness was their before KO with like you said the group huddle. The back slapping and high fives when blocks and tackles were made. Jackson giving it large to the popular side after making a great block late in the game was great to see.
Yes it wasnt pretty but what it did have was sheer grit and determination but most importantly three precouos points. Well done to all the squad and management team

Adam referred to this in commentary and that it was led by Rob Kelly.

Thanks for the info, think Whing is a good manager but Kelly could be the signing of the season given his experience and similar enthusiasm. Watching the training vids he brings a different edge of energy.

[pjdaly]

a bit of grit and determination, desire to defend and attack the ball and stop the opposition from scoring. Maybe not the greatest of games or footballing performances but what was needed, a hard fought win and clean sheet. The kind of performance that we saw a bit more towards the end of last season in particular port vale away.

Hits NOH there I would say.

One of the wettest days*** I can recall at HS and that is saying something. But through the grim misery we could all leave at the end with big smiles on our faces.

*** I did say one of the wettest, not thee wettest . . . . . others do spring readily to mind . . . . .

[blue nige]

a bit of grit and determination, desire to defend and attack the ball and stop the opposition from scoring. Maybe not the greatest of games or footballing performances but what was needed, a hard fought win and clean sheet. The kind of performance that we saw a bit more towards the end of last season in particular port vale away.

Hits NOH there I would say.

One of the wettest days*** I can recall at HS and that is saying something. But through the grim misery we could all leave at the end with big smiles on our faces.

*** I did say one of the wettest, not thee wettest . . . . . others do spring readily to mind . . . . .

Yes considering he wasn't there Paul!