Barrow v Exeter City match thread

[April1972]

Hope that the lady stood next to us is ok. Connor Brown slammed the ball into the crowd after the final whistle and unfortunately it caught her full in the neck and she was struggling to breath. Fair play to Connor as he jumped into the crowd after seeing what had happened. The young steward that was on the scene was poor and didn’t know what to do - fortunately one of the more senior ones stepped in and got first aiders over as soon as he could but it definitely took too long.

[Matty]

Due to current circumstances I had to make do with the iFollow tonight. First of all, delighted with the gate, 1000 higher than I expected. Secondly, despite the lack of goals and clear cut chances I thought we looked a lot better than last season, front foot football, pressing, hardly giving Exeter a sniff. If Cooper still thinks we are 20% short what I've seen so far is promising.

[Jonty]

Cant fault the effort and this side fights for everything. Match took off in the second half and was actually disappointed we couldn't find the winner. Some feisty stuff going on at times.
Great crowd again really backing the lads. Fair play to the Exeter followers that is one heck of a journey on a Tuesday night.

We've got the makings of a good side here and the fans are getting behind them which is great

[Ste Story]

Weather did its best to spoil the first half. Ref and linesman did their best to spoil the second half.

Enjoyed the middle spell of the second half though, attacking football, raucous crowd under a HSE roof, and some promising play but we were definitely missing a poacher/goalscorer. The three changes left us much weaker with Zanzala, Kay and White going off, and from that the game kind of fizzled out, save for some late pinball from the corner.

Their captain Jay was busy all night and caused some issues particularly first half getting into the pockets of space everywhere. Other than that thought they were actually quite a grim side, lots of spoilers and nitty gritty. Not a single corner went into their box without at least two of their players having our players in full bear hugs, cannot believe the ref didn't stamp it out, even while looking straight at it, but from there they grew in confidence with their holding and challenges knowing they could get away with it.

Disappointed not to win that, we were the better team over the 90.

[spirit of 1990]

Referee needs to get a grip on the game though. Exeter players are making mug of him so far and he's happily obliging.

And that continued throughout the game. I’m all for referees letting games flow but there comes a point when you have to say enough is enough. Very poor refereeing & a very very niggly Exeter team.

The strong wind was a spoiler for the first half but we used it far better than they did in the first 45. It was getting very tasty for a twenty minute spell as well, definitely thought there would’ve been a red shown at some point.
I thought Banks, Zanzalla & Ellis were stand outs with Hutton, Grayson & Gordon all hot on their heels, anyone of them could’ve been MotM.

Great attendance as well, although early on it was looking poor - but I think that was down to the very big queues for tickets.

[Barrow Lad New]

Nearly 300 more Barrow fans than Saturday (2,667 including 165 from Exeter tonight) enjoyed a battling encounter in a blustery wind. The first half was evenly matched but we dominated the second when playing with the wind. However, despite some excellent pressing and numerous corners, we just couldn’t break the stalemate.

In the 9th minute, a cross from Brough was met by Banks who shot wide. Zanzala was then controversially booked for an adjudged foul on Jay when continual spoiling tactics by Exeter players were going unpunished. Fortunately, the resultant 19th minute free kick in a dangerous position was blasted over the bar by Brown.

A Brown corner on the half-hour was punched away by Farman who, it should also be said, kicked balls an impressive distance against the wind.

Playing with the wind in the second period, Barrow mounted a large number of attacks and also dealt with the occasional threat of the incisive Exeter counters. Dieng was booked in the first minute for a foul on Banks and five minutes later a player from each side, Ellis and Jay, were booked when a small melee ensued. The game was certainly getting feistier at this point with increased urgency from both teams to win every ball. Generally, Barrow were now in the ascendancy and Exeter’s defence was increasingly tested.

The substitutions by both teams made little impact on the battling stalemate but Barrow’s threat to Exeter’s goal at the Holker Street end certainly galvanized the supporters. Zanzala had the best chance when he put the ball wide in front of goal in the 76th minute.

White was booked for a foul on substitute Atangana in the 84th minute and was then replaced by Taylor. Barrow had further chances in the final 10 minutes. Four minutes later substitute Williams shot over from range and there were three corners with goalmouth scrambles in the third minute of added time. Hutton was awarded Barrow’s man of the match.

[blue nige]

Yeah solid performance but we still lack a predator around the box,I hope Cooper's still looking for one thought grayson had a great game, wind spoiled it but the referee didn't help I don't know who was worse him or the male linesman on the popular side they were both pathetic, the booking of Zanzala had to be seen to be believed!
Anyway another point on the board wouldn't it be great to ,"do" Harrogate!

[MisterPleasant]

Good to have your reports again, Barrow Lad.

[HenneysKnee]

Another very solid performance; second half in particular was very good. If we can add a striker (target man to get on the end of Huttons many crosses?) and keep/get everyone fully fit we will be very comfortable this season, nowhere near the bottom 2.
Excellent crowd that, at least 600 more than I would have guessed, hopefully it keeps building. Fair play to the Exeter away fans as well, that’s a great number to make that trip on a Tuesday night

[pjdaly]

A big shout out to Connor Brown for his crucial saving tackle near the end after a loose ball by Hutton threatened to let them through on goal.

I hope the woman he hit at the final whistle is okay. We know Connor is feisty (to put it mildly) but he was straight over the wall after the incident to check up on her.

[David881]

Poor match not helped by the wind nor the referee. Exeter looked a poor side with Barrow playing the better football but suffering from the lack of a centre forward. Possession pretty even overall with Exeter dominating in first half with the wind in their favour and Barrow in the second.

[Barrow Lad New]

Good to have your reports again, Barrow Lad.

Cheers!

[Adam29]

Radio Cumbria sounding a bit Carlisle-centric again. Anything from Barrow?

Had to go to the tunnel to record interviews and assistant didn’t come out till late so very little that could be done on the post match

[LewisBAFC1901]

Crying out for a striker with a bit of presence

[HenneysKnee]

Radio Cumbria sounding a bit Carlisle-centric again. Anything from Barrow?

Tonight was different with Cooper not coming out for an interview but in general they do read out all the Barrow texts and tweets……if they get any, that’s usually the issue, hardly any (none at all sometimes) get sent in