Holker Street Newsletter 1692 - 11th April 2006

BARROW AFC NEWS

AGM Turnout: Barrow AFC chairman Brian Keen has explained the low turnout at last Thursday’s AGM by saying that it was due to the members being happy with the way things are being run. According to secretary Dave Ingham, there were only 61 members in attendance at the start of the meeting, from a membership of 610, however this was enough to proceed with the AGM, as it requires 10 per cent of members being present for there to be a quorum. If there hadn't been enough, the meeting could still have gone ahead as normal but it wouldn't have been an AGM. Brian Keen believed that the members were satisfied with the club’s progress due to the new management team in place and that things are starting to happen at the ground.

Squad Changes Promised by Phil Wilson: Following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Kettering Town manager Phil Wilson has promised at least five new players to the club with some of this season’s squad being shown the exit door. Wilson felt that although we battled there wasn't enough quality and of those who played on Saturday many will not be here next season. Before the match Barrow had been forced to re-shuffle due to unavailable players, Simon Bishop (dropped a scaffolding pole on his foot), James Cotterill (hamstring), Kevin Dawson (back), James Olsen (food poisoning) and Neil Tarrant (foot) all missing out.

BARROW v VAUXHALL MATCH PROGRAMME
From the official Barrow AFC website at www.barrowafc.com

The programme printed for the game postponed a fortnight ago will be used on Tuesday with the addition of a four-page update supplement. The club hope regular readers will purchase as usual and understand the financial reason behind this decision. Meanwhile Nick Rogan and Chris Butler are both likely to miss the game after injuries picked up in Saturday's home defeat to Kettering. Rogan suffered ankle ligament damage, while Butler will have an x-ray in Liverpool soon on his arm injury.


BRIAN ARROWSMITH AND FRIENDS WEEKEND
From John Little

Just to mention that Darren Gardner would really like to thank all those who helped out with the events over the weekend and all those who purchased a book. The book sale went really well and there are now only a handful of copies left. Anyone who didn't get a book should contact the BDF by email to bdf@barrowfc.com and do it fairly soon to be sure of getting one of the last few books. The weekend raised several hundred pounds for the BDF, the exact figure will be announced in the near future.


WONDER WINNER
From The Sunday Sun

Barrow AFC lost 1-0 to a wonder goal from Anthony Elding as Kettering Town took all three points at a windy Holker Street. The goal came after 18 minutes, when Elding, who was just inside the Barrow half, spotted home keeper Ben Morsby off his line. The striker then fired a wind-assisted lob which went sailing over Morsby's head and into the back of the net. Barrow battled back in the second half and squandered a number of great chances, with Mike Kewley and Steve Ridley among the guilty parties. Manager Phil Wilson had to make five changes to his team from last week due to injury and illness. To add to that he then saw striker Nick Rogan stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury and Chris Butler withdrawn with a wrist problem as Barrow failed to get back on level terms.

Barrow: B Morsby 7, G Heffernan 6, C Butler 7 (C Heiniger 45, 6), S Flitcroft 6, J Smith 6, S Howson 7, M Rushton 6, G Anthony 7, N Rogan 6 (Kewley 14, 6), G Knight 6, S Ridley 6. Not used: K Dawson, D Forde, N Thompson.


PHIL WILSON’S COMMENTS
From the Kettering Town programme

There isn’t a lot between the top of the table and where we are just below the half-way mark. We proved that last Saturday when we visited Stafford Rangers who were then in the number 1 spot. The difference was that we switched off at two set pieces and they cash in both times. But we will learn from that. The game was tight on a very poor pitch which didn’t allow the opportunity to play passing football. We did our best to do it in the second half and Stafford’s third goal made a bit of a mockery of the score-line because it came when we had spent 25 minutes chasing after an equaliser. It was a game of few chances yet, in fact, we created the better opportunities. So while Stafford were then placed number 1, I have to say they were nothing special although they were well organised. They defended well and the crucial point was that they put the ball into the net when it mattered. Will Stafford take the title? Well Northwich’s mid-week win has put them in to pole position and they are the likely winners in my book.

Today we welcome Kettering and they now have their sights on a play-off place again. A big spending club with high ambitions, they had a four or five match bad patch but, as is typical of our fortunes, they are putting a run together now. However we have a lot to play for, too. It would be nice to finish comfortably in the top ten and I think we can move up four or five places. That has to be the target. You will be aware now that James Olsen has turned down overtures from Stalybridge Celtic. I am happy he is happy to stay with us at Barrow. There has been a slight problem over his availability due to work commitments but that seems to be resolved now. Like the others, he is now playing for a place in the squad next season. I am still assessing the players but I cannot fault the effort and commitment they have show recently. More of the same will do today.


WILSON SET TO MAKE WHOLESALE CHANGES
From www.nonleaguedaily.com

Phil Wilson, manager of Barrow, is to make wholesale changes to his squad this summer. Speaking after his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Kettering Town on Saturday, the Bluebirds chief said he intends to bring in “a lot more than five” new faces. That in turn is likely to mean some players being shown the Holker Street exit door. Forced into five changes, Wilson sent out a patched-up Barrow side to face play-off chasing Poppies and saw them sunk by an astonishing 50-yard strike from Anthony Elding. Wilson said: “We were playing with players that haven’t played much football. They worked hard, but we didn’t have the quality and that’s what we’ll be looking to get in the summer. When it matters in front of goal we’ve not had that quality and we need to improve on that, but we need to improve all over. We’ve seen some of the players we’ve had on Saturday and, you know, a lot of them are not starting players.” Asked how many new players he was looking to bring in during the summer, Wilson said: “I would have thought a good number. Then asked if it would be more than five, he replied: “Probably a lot more than five. I’ve got my eyes on some players and as soon as the season is over we’ll be talking to people.”


MISSION POSSIBLE AFTER ELDING STUNNER
From www.northantsnews.com

It seems some of us may have been a bit hasty in writing Kettering Town's play-off hopes off, writes Jon Dunham. Just over two weeks ago it looked all over for Morell Maison's side when they were beaten at fellow top-five hopefuls Stalybridge Celtic. But three wins in a row coupled with a slide in Harrogate Town's form has seen the Poppies move to within four points of a play-off place while Celtic and Worcester City also lie ready to pounce on any more mistakes by the Yorkshire side. Once again this wasn't pretty from the Poppies but the 470-mile round trip proved worthwhile as three points is a lot more important than any performance at this stage. Those faithful few who did make the long trek up the M6 would surely agree that, despite the display being gritty, the winning goal was worth the entrance fee alone. Record signing Anthony Elding was restored to the starting line-up after being dropped last time out and he finally showed just why he is so highly-rated. He had already flicked an effort wide before he received the ball just inside the Barrow half in the 18th minute. With a strong wind behind him, Elding looked up and smashed the ball high towards goal and it sailed over a stunned Ben Morsby in the Barrow goal.

Call it a fluke if you want but this was a moment of pure genius and Elding said: "I am a player that likes to try his luck and when the long ball dropped to their player I just thought that if he knocks it to me I will take a touch and hit it. Some may call it a fluke but who cares? It went in and that's what matters. That goal ranks up there as one of the best I have ever scored. But it proved to be so important for us and that is the best thing about it." Admittedly Barrow were not helped by the early loss of lively striker Nick Rogan. But the Poppies controlled the opening period with Andy Hall and Serge Makofo both going close after Elding's stunner. The closest the hosts came was 10 minutes before the break when Gavin Knight seized on David Theobald's loose back-pass. But Mark Osborn was off his line quickly to brilliantly block the striker's effort. That proved to be Osborn's only save of the afternoon. Barrow used the wind to good effect in the second half but the visiting defence remained solid even though both Mike Kewley and Steve Ridley fired efforts over the bar from close range. Elding and Ollie Burgess both forced Morsby into good saves but it was pretty comfortable for Kettering as they saw the game out. Maison's men have five games – starting with Alfreton at home tomorrow night – to make up four points on Harrogate. So strap yourselves in and get ready for the final twists and turns of this rollercoaster ride of a season.


POPPIES TAKE THE POINTS
From Ken Samual and www.ketteringtownfc.co.uk

The team bus arrived at Holker Street, Barrow today at 2pm in bright sunshine, but with a strong swirling breeze prevailing. The playing surface was in excellent condition for the game and manager, Morell Maison, named the following squad: Osborne; Diuk, Theobald, Mcilwain, Nicell; Hall, Solkhon, Paterson, Okai; Elding, Makofo. Substitutes were Burgess, Olaleye, MacDougald, Peter and Bussey.

Nicell and Elding were restored to the starting line up, with Nathan Koo-Boothe on International duty and Ryan Zico-Black being left out. Paris Okai started on the left side in midfield. Barrow announced a number of changes, some positional, but were without first choices Bishop in goal and Cotterill in defence.

Playing with the benefit of the breeze in the first half Kettering started the better of the two teams and in the third minute a mix up in the home defence almost let in Anthony Elding who just failed to gather a poor back pass. Jamie Patterson hit a strong right footed shot which keeper Morsby saved well at his near post and a Hall corner was nodded on by Elding dangerously at the near post but the ball eluded the Kettering attackers. Barrow's first shot came in the ninth minute when Gavin Knight shot over the top from 15 yards. Five minutes later a good run and cross by Wayne Diuk was scrambled away for a corner and from the clearance, Serge Makofo turned sharply in the box to shoot, but unfortunately straight at the keeper. The first goal came after 18 minutes and what a goal it was. Anthony Elding found himself with the ball just inside the Barrow half about 12 yards in from his right hand touchline. He looked up and trying to take advantage of the wind and slope, launched a high curling shot at the Barrow goal. Morsby who was a little way off his line ran to cover the shot and to his dismay and the joy of the away supporters behind the goal, the ball dropped behind him and nestled in the back of the net. The shot must have been from fully 50 yards.

The home side were shocked and in the 23rd minute Solkhon appeared to be pushed in the box by Barrow's Ridley as he went for a goalbound header, but the referee waived away appeals for a penalty. In the same minute Knight again broke away to shoot straight at Osborne. The wind was beginning to dominate the game, with both sides struggling to control the ball, but from a home corner Barrow's central defender Jonathan Smith headed over the top. The Poppies had two further good breaks before half time with Hall shooting Wide when well placed and then Paris Okai hit a cross- shot from the left which just went wide of the far post.

Barrow came out in the second half determined to take the game to Kettering and to take advantage of the favourable breeze. Almost immediately Danny Forde who had come on as substitute could have equalised from a corner but blasted over the top. Barrow forced a number of corners which came to nothing, and Kettering bounced back with a good break which saw Elding's shot saved to the keeper's left. On 57 minutes, Ridley got behind the Poppies defence and in reaching for the ball he spooned it over the top from six yards. On 59 minutes Moses Olaleye replaced Andy Hall on the right wing. The game was now degenerating due to the now strong wind and play was very scrappy from both sides. The Kettering back four were dealing with any Barrow attacks and in breaking the Poppies saw shots from Olaleye and Makofo both fail to beat the keeper. Barrow centre back, Smith, had two good headers from set pieces which missed the target and the second substitute for Barrow, Heiniger, shot wide when well placed. MacDougald and Burgess came on after 72 minutes as straight replacements for Makofo and Okai, and a few minutes later Ollie Burgess hit the second best shot of the day which Morsby did very well to tip over the top with a diving save. From the resultant corner Craig Mcilwain shot just wide. Referee Pownall added on five minutes of stoppage time before Kettering were able to register their third successive League win.

MAISON: WE ARE THE LIKELY LADS
From www.northantsnews.com

Morell Maison believes his Kettering Town side are the most likely to catch Harrogate Town and seal a last-gasp Nationwide North play-off place. The Poppies are just four points behind the Yorkshire side following a gritty 1-0 win at Barrow on Saturday sealed by Anthony Elding's spectacular 50-yard lob. Harrogate were beaten 3-0 at leaders Northwich Victoria which means Maison's men now have five games to make up those four points although Stalybridge Celtic and Worcester City also remain in contention after victories at the weekend. Kettering are back in action against Alfreton Town at Rockingham Road tomorrow night while Harrogate host Gainsborough Trinity and Stalybridge host Lancaster City. And Maison said: "Of the chasing pack I think most people would probably back Kettering to come through and take that last place. As a football manager you are always going to have a look at the table and have a look at the other teams around you. You are always looking at what might happen in the remaining games. But we all know what is at stake and the prize that awaits the side who comes through at the end. The closer you get, the harder the task becomes. To go into the Conference would mean so much to our supporters and so much to us as a club in terms of revenue and profile. All the clubs are fighting for the same thing but have the players who can do it. It was another ugly win at Barrow but we have come away from a tough place with three points and now we have to prepare for another huge game with Alfreton." Maison, meanwhile, says he has already spoken to chairman Imraan Ladak about the possibility of keeping Elding at Rockingham Road for another season. The striker has been linked to numerous Conference and Football League clubs but the Poppies boss believes a longer spell at Kettering will only help him in the future. He added: "Given the right coaching and environment, Anthony will blossom into a fine player. We haven't seen the best of him yet. There are bound to be clubs looking for him. But here I think he is in an environment where he can grow. I have already pushed the chairman to see if we can keep him for another season. If we can do that then I think he will benefit from it before he moves to the upper reaches of the game."


THIS WEEK’S NATIONWIDE NORTH FIXTURES
Tuesday 11 April: Barrow v Vauxhall Motors, Harrogate Town v Gainsborough Trinity, Kettering Town v Alfreton Town, Nuneaton Borough v Northwich Victoria, Stalybridge Celtic v Lancaster City, Workington v Stafford Rangers.
Saturday 15 April: Hednesford Town v Redditch United, Hucknall Town v Droylsden, Hyde United v Barrow, Lancaster City v Alfreton Town, Leigh RMI v Gainsborough Trinity, Moor Green v Stafford Rangers, Northwich Victoria v Hinckley United, Nuneaton Borough v Workington, Vauxhall Motors v Stalybridge Celtic, Worcester City v Harrogate Town, Worksop Town v Kettering Town.


NEW STADIUM PLANS FOR TYNESIDERS
From www.gateshead-fc.com

After another difficult season, UniBond League Premier Division club Gateshead are looking towards a bright future on and off the pitch. Chairman Derek Bell confirmed the ambitious former Football League club have plans to relocate to a new purpose-built stadium in the town. Bell said: "Preliminary discussions have taken place with interested parties, including Gateshead Council, for what would be a purely football stadium. The stadium would be built to Nationwide Conference standard and is a necessity if we're to increase income streams and attendances." Gateshead have played in only two council-owned grounds since their formation in 1930, including Redheugh Park during the club's 30-year stay in the Football League. The Tynesiders have struggled to attract crowds to their current base at the 11,750-capacity all-seater International Stadium, with only 121 watching the recent win over Burscough. "We need our own identity if we're to realise our ambitions," added Bell. "While there's a long way to go I'm optimistic that the new stadium will become reality."