Barrow finish on high in 11th place as Cook nets brace

[Barrow Lad]

Barrow: Dixon, Lacey, Wilmer-Anderton, Grand, Parry, Abbott, Harvey, Haworth, Tomlinson, Cook, Jordan Williams
66: Walker replaced Haworth

Booked: Tomlinson (84); Harvey (90+4)

GOALS: Cook (42, 77)

Wrexham: Taylor, Vidal, Newton, Smith, Hudson, Fyfield, Fowler, Jennings, Carrington, Evans, Heslop
59: Jackson replaced Vidal, York replaced Hudson
68: Moke replaced Heslop

Booked: Moke (90+3)

An impressive 1,728 crowd, including 181 Wrexham fans, enjoyed a sun-drenched evening, views of snowy mountains from the terraces, and an end-of-season victory which saw Barrow finish in 11th place with 65 points.

Barrow won the first corner of the game in the 9th minute as Hudson headed a testing Lacey ball out but it was Wrexham who had the first chance on goal a minute later, Javan Vidal shooting just wide from a Fowler pass. The next minute saw Cook denied from close range by keeper Rhys Taylor.

In the 19th minute, the Red Dragons threatened again as Evans passed through to Connor Jennings, who with only Dixon to beat, shot wide of the right post. Four minutes later, Dixon tipped another Jennings shot over the bar but the ball forward from Newton had already been ruled offside.

However, Barrow finished the half strongly. In the 34th minute, Taylor saved a Ben Tomlinson header following a telling cross from Haworth. In the 42nd minute, a Tomlinson cross from the right found Andy Cook who fired Barrow into the lead from just inside the area.

Good home pressure continued to the half time whistle and in the first minute of the second half, a Cook cross along the goal line only needed a touch – but luckily for Wrexham no other Barrow player was around. Five minutes in, a Haworth free kick went just over the bar.

Three Barrow corners in the 52nd minute piled on the pressure as Wrexham continued to fade and the Dragons made a double substitution just before the hour, Jackson and York replacing Vidal and Hudson. This nearly had immediate impact as Dixon blocked a cross from Jackson and then saved from an advancing York.

However, this revival proved to be temporary as Taylor saved a close range effort from Cook in the 64th minute. Jason Walker then replaced Andy Haworth and Wrexham made their final change, Moke replacing Heslop.
In the 71st minute, a Fowler corner was played short and Dixon saved a Mark Carrington shot at full stretch to prevent a potential equaliser.

We needed a second goal and didn’t have to wait long. This nearly came in the 76th minute following a Carrington handball, as a curling Jason Walker free kick from the left edge of the box headed for the top right corner- but was punched out for a Barrow throw by Rhys Taylor. However, Jordan Williams’ throw from the right was headed on by Simon Grand to Andy Cook who bundled in at short range for 2-0.

A good run and cross by Williams four minutes later gave Walker a shot on goal which was blocked, Williams firing the rebound over. In the 83rd minute, Fowler took a Wrexham free kick as Fyfield had been pulled back- but Walker broke away for a dangerous Barrow counter, passing to Tomlinson whose run on goal was thwarted only by the ball becoming trapped between the legs of Carrington lying on his back in the area. Tomlinson’s attempt to retrieve the ball earned him a booking.

Wrexham’s chance of a consolation goal in the 89th minute went when Newton’s free kick from 20 yards sailed over the bar.

In the third minute of injury time, Walker was wrestled by Moke who received a booking, a melee ensuing in which Harvey also received a yellow. However, this late boiling up of emotions was a rare occurrence in a generally good natured and free-flowing encounter, an entertaining end to a season where Barrow achieved the top-half finish which looked unlikely a few weeks ago.

[Jonty]

Second only to champions Cheltenham in the overall form guide for the last ten games. Not too shabby at all. Take this into next season and who know's...!

http://www.soccerstats.com/formtable.as ... e=england5

[John Very Little]

Thanks for all the reports throughout the season Barrow Lad, they've been really informative.
You can have the summer off now!

[mrsenario]

Great reporting throughout and we won the league of promoted teams that Paul Casson wanted to win beating Bromley... Amassed 65 points... Finished above clubs with huge fan bases and only 3 defeats in the last 20 odd games... The futures bright great effort from the whole club and fans
This is what can happen if we all stick together like Paul Cox mentioned. At the Q and A sesh

[Barrow Lad]

Many thanks. Enjoyed writing the reports and glad to be part of such a great forum!

[Blue and white]

Great report , do u take notes ! I enjoy reading your summary of the matchdays. I also noticed the snow covered mountains! As for the match , good game , both teams wanting the victory , thought our CB were brill, kept a clean sheet , I didn't see that coming once I seen Williams and Livesey out. Thought Cook and Williams would of caused them havoc , Cooks first was a typical Cook goal, battled between 2 players ,escaped, and found the back of the net ! Only downside was the ref, any 50/50 he slowed the game down and awarded many pointless freekicks , much too the frustration of both sets of players and fans! But 2-0 v Wrexham , a victory and a clean sheet, happy days ! See u all next season bluebirds

[Barrow Lad]

Great report , do u take notes ! I enjoy reading your summary of the matchdays. I also noticed the snow covered mountains!

Cheers. I make very untidy notes on bits of paper hoping I can read them when I get home- last night's report had to wait until this morning as I ran down Holker Street after the final whistle to catch the 19.35 to Foxfield and a great session in the Prince of Wales!

[Blue and white]

Just wondered , great work ! Yea , nice in fox field ! Will u be covering pre season games ha ha

[McMark]

Many thank's Barrow Lad for filling in the blanks when we can't be there in person.

[Barrow Lad]

Just wondered , great work ! Yea , nice in fox field ! Will u be covering pre season games ha ha

If I'm not away I can try. The trouble with so many subs and triallists in those friendlies- and often no team sheets- it's quite a challenge. They even change shirts to add extra confusion!

[Steelworks End]

last night's report had to wait until this morning as I ran down Holker Street after the final whistle to catch the 19.35 to Foxfield and a great session in the Prince of Wales!

Glad you got your priorities right!

I can add to the thanks expressed by others for your match reports during the season; they're very much appreciated.

[Barrow Lad]

last night's report had to wait until this morning as I ran down Holker Street after the final whistle to catch the 19.35 to Foxfield and a great session in the Prince of Wales!

Glad you got your priorities right!

I can add to the thanks expressed by others for your match reports during the season; they're very much appreciated.

Cheers Steelworks End!

[Mulholland Drive]

I echo the thanks for the reports.

[mickmike wilson]

Same as the others, many thanks for your reports they are always an enjoyable read.