AFC Wimbledon v Barrow, match thread

[Jonty]

Considering the Trust bus didn't run, to have 389 backing us in the smoke is a fantastic effort and to see the team and fans celebrate the equaliser together was great to see. Compared to the corresponding fixture last season, when we were chasing a top 7 place, looks double the following.


I know we have royal connections now, but was surprised with the number of Barrow fans at this game. The attendance was also Wimbledon’s second highest of the season.

So….Is this a sign of a growing fan base from outside the area, or neutrals taking in a game with no top flight / Championship games on.

Also,……wonder if the mystery investor was in amongst the limbs at the end.

[pjdaly]

Really gratifying to see that fight and character! Although we'd obviously prefer to not go two down in the first place it's going to happen sometimes and so all we want at times like that is what we got yesterday. Over the five seasons we have been back in the FL there have been so many occasions (including this season) when there's been a sense of dread at falling behind because the feeling has prevailed that that was it, game over. But not in these last two matches! Now that Whing is getting fully settled in it seems that he has that never-say-die attitude which is bleeding through into the attitude of the players. Naturally we want the best quality we can find, given our size and resources, but the very least we should expect is heart and character and so it's great to see that coming through.

I remember that terrible time in 1998-99 when the club was ripped to shreds by events going on but we had a team mostly of locals, who provided fighting spirit the like of which I've never seen bettered by a Barrow team. Total Jonahesqueism!I mean, we were not a great footballing team but in terms of spirit we were the best team ever and we managed to escape relegation (well, technically we did anyway . . . ). When you can pay your money and see the players leaving everything out there it does the soul good to witness it. Hopefully as we move into next season we'll have lots of this type of commitment.

[Suffolk Blue]

Having calmed down a bit and tried to analyse a game that was difficult to do so in the moment I think the most encouraging bit for me was the first Barrow goal.

Not so much the goal itself. It was the way that the entire team broke after Furlong’s abject corner in the 88th minute. Given the fact they had just gone 2-0 down, the energy and commitment with which they flowed forward was really impressive. They were definitely not on the beach.

[MisterPleasant]

What would you have done? Cameron wasn't responsible for either of their goals and he didn't cost us the game. Maybe the head coach knows better than you.

Just a sarcastic response to another post knocking Cameron

Ahh, sorry, I didn't pick that up.

[Lancaster Branch]

So….Is this a sign of a growing fan base from outside the area, or neutrals taking in a game with no top flight / Championship games on.

Very much the latter - there were folk from all over Europe in our end.

Weirdest away end ever.

[Jonty]

Really gratifying to see that fight and character! Although we'd obviously prefer to not go two down in the first place it's going to happen sometimes and so all we want at times like that is what we got yesterday. Over the five seasons we have been back in the FL there have been so many occasions (including this season) when there's been a sense of dread at falling behind because the feeling has prevailed that that was it, game over. But not in these last two matches! Now that Whing is getting fully settled in it seems that he has that never-say-die attitude which is bleeding through into the attitude of the players. Naturally we want the best quality we can find, given our size and resources, but the very least we should expect is heart and character and so it's great to see that coming through.

Starting to see a shape now of how Whing team will play and its very effective from a counter. We were 4 on 2 for the first goal and the equaliser was the best goal in the game. Look at where Acquah took the ball, back to goal and to turn his man and keep the move going showed great strength and give us a chance to lay it off for Mahoney, unchallenged to drill it home. It was a great back-to-front goal. Pace and being direct is great to see. It’s goal scorer's the main difference between the teams at the top and bottom.

[Jonty]

So….Is this a sign of a growing fan base from outside the area, or neutrals taking in a game with no top flight / Championship games on.

Very much the latter - there were folk from all over Europe in our end.

Weirdest away end ever.

Well let’s hope one or two of them choose Barrow as their lower league English club. The sort of come back that hopefully attracts the club to new fans from far and wide

[behind the goals]

Really gratifying to see that fight and character! Although we'd obviously prefer to not go two down in the first place it's going to happen sometimes and so all we want at times like that is what we got yesterday. Over the five seasons we have been back in the FL there have been so many occasions (including this season) when there's been a sense of dread at falling behind because the feeling has prevailed that that was it, game over. But not in these last two matches! Now that Whing is getting fully settled in it seems that he has that never-say-die attitude which is bleeding through into the attitude of the players. Naturally we want the best quality we can find, given our size and resources, but the very least we should expect is heart and character and so it's great to see that coming through.

Starting to see a shape now of how Whing team will play and its very effective from a counter. We were 4 on 2 for the first goal and the equaliser was the best goal in the game. Look at where Acquah took the ball, back to goal and to turn his man and keep the move going showed great strength and give us a chance to lay it off for Mahoney, unchallenged to drill it home. It was a great back-to-front goal. Pace and being direct is great to see. It’s goal scorer's the main difference between the teams at the top and bottom.

Don't praise Acquah to much some on here won't like it

[Jim]

NIce to see the three subs combining to score the second goal. I thought that Fletcher, in a tight position against the bye line, did really well to lay the ball back to Mahoney.

Regarding the imrpovement, one thing Whing has done is keep a fairly settled team, rather than forever changing personnel and system, which I thought was one of our main problems under Clemence.

[barrow1987]

https://youtu.be/X7mofYEoSwM?si=4AVTYgPnN4_6mvT4

Go to 5.30 for a great view of the away end as the equaliser goes in

[Big E]

https://youtu.be/X7mofYEoSwM?si=4AVTYgPnN4_6mvT4

Go to 5.30 for a great view of the away end as the equaliser goes in

Great angle for Farmans save as well.

[mickmike wilson]

How did Cameron & Pressley play today especially with all the negative comments recently with supporters not wanting them here, over on Facebook Paul Farman getting plenty of negative comments about how he got beaten at his near post but not many plaudits about his brilliant save in the first half, end of the day a great point today.

Pressley a handful once again , won some good flick ons and held the ball up well. Got thrown around a bit by their centre halves but it didn’t put him off.

Cameron… well usual really. Rubbish.

Re-Cameron, What’s his football brain like ?

He often makes bizarre decisions, We had a throw in & had 4 or 5 options and he threw an awkward bouncing ball o our last defense who had oppo players all around him….Very nearly cost us a goal.

[blueistheonlycolour]

I’m absolutely sick to death of us gifting goals. Canavan falling over then Farman getting done at his near post just for a change!

If you look at the goal in slow mo Canavan is clipped by Brown and that's why he was on his own.

[andyg]

Wow Barrow have day trippers supporting us. Next thing you know they will be putting up prices at Holker St to accommodate them just like certain premier league teams do!

[blumooncrab]

Great to see the lads fight back like that. Absolute joy at the end and one of the great come backs given the feeling at 85 minutes. I think Mahoney can prove himself yet. Would love it if Campbell stays on . Congratulations to Mr Whing - plenty to look forward to next year .