25th August 2007 (Senior League) - Barrow Town 6 - 0 Aylestone Park

For this fixture for a pleasant change, we were treated to glorious sunshine, which in truth did the players no favours at all, but at least I did not have to peer over numerous umbrellas. Marvellous they are for keeping off the rain, but they do very little for a short sighted announcer! Anyway back to the match itself, Barrow began sprightly, and in as little as the fifth minute go close to opening the scoring when from a Matt Boyles free-kick on the left hand side, Dave Tonge sends in a diving header that is scrambled to safety by the Aylestone defence before Jason Knight could seize on the rebound. After seven minutes, last weeks’ star performer Stu Wilson is put through one on one with Conway the Aylestone ‘keeper, but the ‘keeper saves well. Soon after this the deadlock is broken. Boyles sprays the ball wide right to Wilson who in turn squares a low cross to strike partner Warner. From eight yards out Warner hits the post with Conway beaten, but to his credit latches onto and scores with the rebound on ten minutes 1-0. On eleven minutes, Wilson in the Barrow goal has his first involvement, when a low driven free-kick from Doulton for Aylestone Park goes narrowly wide. Wilson was left rooted to the spot and berating the home team’s wall. On seventeen minutes, Warner attempts to return the compliment to his strike partner by slipping in Wilson, but his shot is saved. At this point in the game, barrow were treating the on-looking crowd to some slick and incisive passing. On twenty six minutes Barrow suffer a scare, when Wilson misjudges a corner and the Aylestone number 11 Muldoon, heads narrowly over clipping the top of the bar. From the resulting corner, Neet blasted a shot goalwards for the visitors that was blocked bravely by Tonge. On thirty one minutes we looked certain to double our lead. Wilson breaking down the left hand side and crossing low to Warner who hit the side netting. On forty three minutes there was no stopping Warner. Again a move up the left side saw Boyles square to the near post, and Warner applied a neat low side footed finish to make it 2-0. That score did not truly reflect the possession and attacking play Barrow had demonstrated, and right on half-time Warner completed a first half hat-trick when he smashed a shot into the top left corner from outside the box. Half-time 3-0. Shortly after the break, the imperious Danny Geary fired a long range effort over the bar. Jason Knight then followed suit with a similar effort and as the hour mark approached The Riversiders were in total control. The solid defensive unit of Bacon; Fox; Tonge and Weafer never really looked under threat.

On the hour the lively Adams replaced Lee Quincey, and immediately posed more attacking threat to the visitor’s goal. Adams forced a corner and Wilson headed powerfully in from the cross by Fox. Merely two minutes from making his entrance Adams then slipped the ball low past the advancing Conway to make it 5-0, but in truth he looked to have been in an offside position. On seventy three minutes, Wilson headed wide from another fine free-kick delivered by Fox, one of many in the match. Two minutes later Conway continued to frustrate the home forwards, again saving well this time from Warner. On eighty one minutes Andy Almond who had replaced Matt Boyles, turned “Cruyff style” inside the box and flashed a shot across the face of goal. Barrow were now really turning the screw, perhaps with last season and goal difference in mind, and went in search of the illusive sixth goal. It came again from Carl Adams as he volleyed in powerfully from eight yards following a deep cross into the box. Ant Marriott who had entered the game as a replacement for the mercurial but tired Danny Geary, shot low at goal, and his effort required yet another good save from the diminutive Conway. It has to be said that this was a very convincing win on a very hot day. The team looked as good on the pitch (for which great credit goes to Bob Chamberlain), as it does on paper. Keep it up lads!

28th August 2007 (Beacon Bitter League Cup) - Anstey Nomads 2 - 1 Barrow Town

On a thoroughly miserable night at Cropston Road we crashed out of the Beacon Bitter League Cup at the hands of Anstey Nomads. Attacking down the slope in the first half in steady rain, we looked as slick and up for the game as we did at home on Saturday against Aylestone Park. Admittedly there were changes to the side, Danny Geary and Dave Tonge were noticeable absentees, and Matt Boyles; Jason Knight and Lee Quincey were reduced to warming the bench. Ant Marriott restored to the starting line up gave us the lead on 15 minutes, firing through a crowd of players after good work from Stu Wilson and Ash Warner to set up the opportunity. However, it has to be said that Anstey were up for a “battle”, and with the help of a fortunate deflection from the wall for a free-kick equaliser, and a fortunate bounce from a mis-hit shot they eventually won through. Some inept officiating didn’t help, but we must realise that most teams will be out to spoil us this season, and we must rise above them and out play them on the park.

1st September 2007 (Senior League) - Barrow Town 2 - 3 Birstall United

What a crushing blow this result turned out to be! As early as the second minute Ash Warner broke free of the visitor’s defence and fired a great shot that hit the foot of Toon’s right hand post and bounced back out to safety. Two minutes later strike partner Stu Wilson followed suit, this time striking the upright following a Boyles free-kick.
After fifteen minutes we thought we had broken the deadlock, Boyles was fouled from behind by Topley, and Fox delivered the resulting free-kick into the danger area. Stu Wilson fired goalwards and his shot was turned in by Ash Warner, only for Gupta’s flag to rule it out for offside. Five minutes later the breakthrough finally came. Wilson was clean through and although Toon saved his effort, with defenders getting back onto the goal line, Ash Warner finished well smashing in off the underside of the crossbar to give us a 1-0 lead. The first half was littered with fouls, notably Dodd; Kirby and Hollis offending persistently, but all receiving lenient treatment from referee Lever who was not having a good game. Five minutes before the break, Danny Geary was cautioned for retaliation along with Dodd, following yet another foul on the Barrow midfielder. Half-time score 1-0. Three minutes after the re-start, Scott Maclennan bit the hand that used to feed him, by firing in a rebound from a deflected Dodd free-kick to equalise. Steve Conway was causing the Barrow back four problems, and Jones saved well pushing away his 53rd minute effort away for a corner. On the hour, Conway found himself free at the far post to loop a good header over Jones to give the visitors a 1-2 lead. Birstall seemed to have far too much space in midfield, and Adams and Marriott were summoned to replace Geary and Knight. On seventy eight minutes after some breakaway pressure on the Barrow goal, Wilson slipped the ball past and advancing Toon to level the scores at 2-2. This was not to be the final act however, as Tonge dwelt on the ball and was dispossessed in the final minute by McCaffery, who beat Jones to give the visitors a 2-3 victory.

19th September 2007 (Battle of Britain Memorial Cup Final) - Barrow Town 2 - 1 Saffron Dynamo

The Riversiders first piece of silverware, but Saffron really pushed Barrow to the limit as Stu Wilson snatched victory in the 92nd minute. First half Barrow played their most fluent football so far this season and were ahead at the break as Ash Warner finished off a slick move with a clinical finish. Second half belonged to Saffron as their lively young side gained confidence with long spells of possession but lacking a final ball. Lee Barrett looked to have taken the game to penalties with a brilliant 90th minute header. Stu Wilson ended their hopes deep into injury time for Barrow to take the trophy .for the second year in succession.

22nd September 2007 (F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round) - Barrow Town 2 - 3 Market Drayton Town

Barrow’s best performance of the season went unrewarded against Midland Alliance opponents Market Drayton. The Riversiders were out of luck in their favourite cup competition as they twice struck the woodwork, laid second half siege to Drayton’s goal before falling victim to a decisive third goal that was blatantly yards offside.
Drayton posed the early goal threat, Nicky Porter twice testing Steve Wilson first with a ground shot, then clear on goal to force a superb save from the Barrow keeper. Barrow were stretched and conceded on ten minutes, a half clearance from a corner and Martyn Davies giving the visitors the lead with an accurate header. Barrow responded, Aaron Cooper making the bye-line to deliver a far post cross that Dave Hollis headed narrowly over the bar. Barrow’s best chance fell to Ash Warner, onto a through ball to fire an angled shot that rebounded off the inside of the post to safety. Drayton posed problems at set-pieces, Paul Tomlin glancing a scoring chance inches outside the post. Barrow ended the half with another great chance going begging, Stu Wilson beyond Drayton defenders to round the keeper but clip the ball over the bar at full stretch.

In the second half Barrow battered the opposition only to be frustrated by some inspired keeping from Sam Jones and some awful decisions from the two assistant referees. Stu Wilson again wreaked havoc to force a block from a Drayton defender, Ash Warner pounced on the loose ball to place in the net only for keeper Jones to lift himself off the ground and deflect the goal-bound effort over the bar. Hollis clipped the bar with a snap-shot that caught the keeper in two minds. Wilson again raced clear to be thwarted by another great piece of anticipation from Jones. Drayton relieved constant pressure with Stuart Ellis firing beyond the far post before Barrow resumed the attack, Wilson again head to head with Jones and the keeper in inspired form to claw Wilson’s shot off the line. Drayton applied the sucker punch, Tom Rodgers onto a rare through ball and beating Wilson with an accurate cross-shot. Barrow were quickley back in the game, Matt Boyles clearing a square back-line and Ash Warner netting with an emphatic half-volley. Controversy again as Drayton restored the margin, Paul Bowyer standing yards offside before finally receiving the ball in front of goal to hook home past Wilson. The Barrow keeper’s valid protestations led to his dismissal, Leroy Johnson taking over in goal. Barrow still held the initiative and their effort were again rewarded late in the game, Ash Warner netting his second with a stooping header from a Hollis cross. Drayton held out to the final whistle to progress to the next round.

29th September 2007 (Senior League) - Anstey Nomads 0 - 3 Barrow Town

The Riversiders are at last beginning to gel. A revenge win against a resurgent Nomads lifted Barrow to third spot behind Ellistown and Saffron Dynamo. Following their shock league cup exit to Nomads, Barrow took an immediate grip on the game enjoying long spells of total attacking possession. The Riversiders frustratingly failed to capitalise on a glut of openings, Stuart Wilson and Ash Warner both failing to hit the target from scoring positions after good work by Matt Boyles. Dave Hollis faired no better, snatching at a great chance in front of goal to slice wide. When Barrow did get on target, Adam Wilcox in the home goal excelled to grab a point-blank header from Dave Tonge. Anstey soaked up the pressure with some resolute defending. Nomads first sight of goal came from a stinging Dave Wozencroft volley that whistled past Steve Wilson’s post. Barrow resumed the attack, Ash Warner seeing a header cleared off the line, Adam Turner driving well wide and Adam Wilcox again in form to save from Warner. Anstey again threatened from a set-piece, Sam Saunt firing a free-kick wide of the upright. A one-sided half ended blank as Ash Warner again went clear on a defensive error to round Wilcox only for his final effort to be cleared off the line.

The second half continued in the same vein, Nomads unable to conjure a single chance in open play against a dominant Barrow defence and Barrow still unable to capitalise on relentless pressure. Stuart Wilson finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute as he converted a tap-in chance almost on the goal-line. Anstey’s resistance crumbled with the conceding on a penalty for hand-ball minutes later with Ash Warner delivering a two-goal cushion from the spot. Sam Craig went close to reducing the deficit with a thirty yard drive that flashed past the post. Wilcox kept Nomads in contention with brilliant saves from a Boyles volley and two great efforts from Danny Geary. Anstey ran out of steam under the onslaught and conceded a third goal, Tonge and Boyles linking for Stu Wilson to find space at the far post and beat Wilcox to complete the 3-0 score-line.

6th October 2007 (Senior League) - Ratby Sports 1 - 3 Barrow Town

Early strikes from Dave Hollis and Stu Wilson set the Riversiders on the path to a comfortable victory. Ratby were fortunate to escape an emphatic half-time scoreline as Barrow pierced a sluggish home rear-guard at will.

Barrow broke the mould of recent weeks with two swift strikes. Stu Wilson setting up Dave Hollis for a shot that was blocked, but Hollis was quickly onto the rebound to stab the ball past the Ratby keeper on four minutes. Wilson almost added an immediate second, forcing a sharp save from Daniel Exton in the home goal. Ratby couldn’t contain Wilson’s pace, the Barrow striker racing through a static defence to lob the keeper who did well to get a hand on the shot but was unable to prevent the accurate lob from putting Barrow 2-0 up. Barrow were tearing the Ratby defence to shreds. Ash Warner went through to clip the bar with the home defenders giving little protection to an exposed keeper. Ratby eventually gathered some attacking momentum, Tom Sansom profiting from good work by Ryan Jacques but was to fire over. Barrow still threatened to extend their lead, Matt Boyles prompting new signing Sean Barber for a side-footed effort that fizzed wide of the post.

Ratby then responded with Alex West stabbing wide of goal. Barrow were far more potent in attack and increased their lead when Ash Warner polished off a three man move to drill an unstoppable shot inside the post past Exton’s despairing dive. Ratby ended the first half with their best player Samson bringing a fine save from Steve Wilson, then James Edmonds placed wide of the target. Ratby had to improve to stave off a hefty defeat, and to their credit they looked a far tighter outfit defending the slope. After an early Boyles volley cleared the bar, Barrow couldn’t turn possession into chances as Ratby closed down the space behind their defence. The home side gave themselves a lifeline when Steve Wilson’s attempted punched clearance rebounded into the net off Jake Danetta’s head. Rob Pitman returned to first team action to head inches over the bar. Ratby produced a late flurry of sustained pressure with shots peppering the Barrow goal and Steve Wilson repelling the pressure to preserve a 3-1 final score-line.

13th October 2007 (Senior League) - Barrow Town 3 - 1 Holwell Sports

A game not without controversy, home keeper Steve Wilson lucky to remain on the field on thirty minutes after a vital handled save way out of his box prevented a certain scoring chance for Holwell. Nine bookings in a fair but well contested game without a malicious tackle was the man in the middle’s response to a major gaffe. Holwell sprang to attack from the kick-off, Dave Tonge intercepting a cross and Danny Geary immediately turning defence into attack with a ball out to Dave Hollis. His diagonal ball found Stu Wilson free to return the cross for Hollis to hammer the ball past Rich Craggs for the opener within a minute. The same duo again sliced open the visitors defence, Hollis blasting the final effort just over the bar. Ash Warner found space on the flank for a cross that Stu Wilson clipped inches outside the post. All the attacking momentum was almost wasted when Steve Wilson was forced to come out of his area to save a certain goal with his hands, Barrow escaping justice with just a yellow card for Wilson. Holwell were roused by events, Niall Prenderville having a shot deflected for a corner. Barrow were far more incisive with the end product, Danny Geary’s far post delivery leaving Ash Warner a simple headed finish to make it 2-0. Dave Hollis tested Cragg with a screamer of a free-kick from 30 yards. Holwell pushed hard to reduce the arrears, Ian Wells equally effective with a stinging free-kick bringing a low save from Wilson. Wells next effort finished off a good move from the visitors and an unstoppable curling shot beyond Wilson’s dive. Holwell pressed for parity, Graham Wells heading wide with a simple chance, and Jason Weafer making a decisive block to again thwart Wells in front of goal.

In the second half Geary’s precision delivery from the flank left Boyles with the chance to increase the margin and he duly obliged with a glancing header. Holwell’s lively striker Scott Mooney was denied by a leaping save from Wilson. The two waged a personal battle to the end, Wilson pulling off two point blank reaction saves to preserve Barrow’s two goal margin to the final whistle.

20th October 2007 (Senior League) - Ibstock United 0 - 1 Barrow Town

As ever no quarter asked or given against a youthful Ibstock side buoyant after a midweek victory against Midland Alliance outfit Barwell. The home rear-guard faced early examination, Dave Tonge rising above Paul Brown to place a header wide from an Adam Turner free-kick. Barrow were ahead on ten minutes, Ash Warner latching on to Dave Hollis’s far post cross to try a shot that deflected straight to Stuart Wilson who had a simple tap-in to open the scoring. Dave Hollis took on defensive duties, tracking back to make a saving header at the far post with Ibstock forwards waiting to pounce. Hollis almost increased Barrow’s lead, his searing free-kick turned away brilliantly by home keeper Chris Hodge. Hodge again excelled with good positioning to save from Ash Warner. Hollis was again prominent in defence with another vital interception to deny Mark Pallett. The closely contested half ended with Matt Boyles steering a header wide from a Carl Bacon cross.

In the second half Ibstock pushed Dean Smith forward and was gifted with an early chance to level courtesy of a miss-placed back pass, Steve Wilson off his line to make a superb blocking save. Dave Tonge and Jason Weafer pulled off two great covering tackles to deny the lively home forwards. Ibstock undermined a strong spell with a suicidal back pass that left Ash Warner free to round the keeper, an Ibstock defender racing back to hack the Barrow striker’s shot off the line to safety. Ibstock keeper Hodge’s reactions were again in evidence to turn away a near post effort from Hollis. Rich Wileman shot tamely wide from a good position as Ibstock strove for parity. Hodge kept up his good work to the final whistle, Matt Boyles bisecting the home defence and Stuart Wilson forcing a brilliant late save by the exposed home keeper.

27th October 2007 (Senior League) - Barrow Town 4 - 3 Blaby & Whetstone Athletic

Matt Boyles injury time winner grabbed all three points as Blaby looked to have held out under intense late pressure to snatch a share of the spoils. Blaby were off to a great start, Neil Stringfellow punished for an innocuous tackle on the edge of the box, Tom Hodson’s beautifully flighted free-kick coming back off the bar for Mark Asman to force home the opening goal within three minutes. Blaby’s lead was short-lived, Matt Boyles close range header was blocked, Ash Warner as ever on the spot to seize on anything loose in the box to level from a few yards. Barrow’s best move involved Shaun Barber and Stuart Wilson, Dave Hollis getting onto the final ball to beat Blaby keeper Kyle Winston only for the shot to miss the target by inches. Danny Gaye saw his first action with a low save from a thirty drive from Phil Hinson. Stuart Wilson showed neat control before beating his marker only to shoot tamely wide. Barrow had their noses in front on 30 minutes, Shaun Barber the architect with a subtle through ball for Ash Warner to round the Blaby keeper and roll the ball into an unprotected net. Barrow looked vulnerable to balls into the box, Mark Asman netting a glancing header to make it 2-2 right on half-time.

As the second half began Barrow struck immediately, Stu Wilson controlling under pressure in the Blaby box to pick his spot with a neat finish. Blaby again restored parity with a forceful run down the flank by Asman and a far post cross side-footed home by Mark Brewin. The introduction of Paul Hamblin brought an injection of pace to the game, and the last twenty minutes seeing the Riversiders play at a much faster tempo. Ash Warner just missed a treble as his clipped effort just cleared the bar. Dave Tonge side-footed over from a scoring position, and Stuart Wilson was denied as his effort came back off the crossbar. Blaby’s Nick Loach seized on a loose pass out of the home defence but wasted a rare second half chance by placing wide. Barrow poured forward in search of three points, Matt Boyles blasting wide, Dave Hollis somehow steering a header over the bar, then missing the post with another great chance. Blaby appeared to have held out till Ash Warner held the ball up well in the box to lay the ball in for Matt Boyles to produce a decisive five yard finish for a last ditch win.

3rd November 2007 (Jelson Homes Senior Cup Round 2) - Saffron Dynamo 2 - Barrow Town 3

A well taken hat-trick from Stu Wilson saw The Riversiders through this tricky 2nd Round encounter between the top two sides in the Senior League Premier Division. The match got off to a frenetic start, with the home side forcing the very fast pace, and the Barrow players subsequently finding themselves with very little time on the ball. The scoring was opened on 15 minutes when an astute through ball from Lee Quincey, allowed Stu Wilson to comfortably round the home keeper and slot the ball into an empty net. Dynamo’s aggressive nature was winding up Referee Hewitt, as well as the visitors, the game was punctuated with free kicks for all too often petulant fouls on Barrow players. The Barrow lead lasted a mere 5 minutes. A deep free kick was played into the Barrow penalty area, where a hesitant Danny Gaye failed to do anything but shout at his defenders to clear the ball. The task of attempting to deal with the situation fell to the unfortunate Jason Weafer, who under a great deal of pressure from Clinton Gunn, headed into his own net to make it 1-1.
Play was switching from end to end very quickly often missing out the midfield area altogether. Matt Boyles was dispossessed in the Saffron penalty area, and on yet another swift counter attack, Clinton Gunn should have done better after he had outpaced Weafer to the ball, but once again the pacey striker squandered the chance. The very poor playing surface was not suiting either sides passing game, and in addition to the condition of the pitch possession was surrendered by both sides needlessly many times throughout the first half.

In the second half the two sides resumed pretty much where they had left off. On 50 minutes Dave Tonge hesitated and Dynamo once again got in on the Barrow goal, yet again though a poor finish saw that parity remained. Matt Boyles and Danny Geary then exchanged passes in midfield, and Geary played a sublime through ball for Stu Wilson to fire home his and Barrow’s second goal of the match to make it 1-2. A mad five minutes just after the hour saw Barrow’s lead again cut back. Dave Hollis, who had come on at half time, was booked for a rash challenge down the right flank. Paul Hamblin was injured in the build up to the resulting free kick, and immediately left the field. Without a replacement ready, Barrow were temporarily down to 10 men as they defended the kick, and they were made to pay for this schoolboy error, when the equalising goal was scrambled in after Gaye had saved the initial goalbound header. Protests that the scorer was in an offside position went unheeded by the officials. The match was finally decided after an interchange between Adam Turner and Adam Charlton, Turner played in Wilson again to slot comfortably past the advancing keeper and complete his hat-trick. On 85 minutes the result was very nearly put beyond any doubt. Charlton fed man of the match Wilson who provided a deft touch for his strike partner Ash Warner, but he was narrowly off target sliding the ball wide of both keeper and post.