BARROW 1 - 1 Torquay United

2009-04-21 - BSP
Attendance: 1918
Scorers: Walker

A large crowd of 1,918 including a few dozen yellow-bedecked Torquay supporters enjoyed an exciting, end-to-end contest between two teams fighting throughout- one for Blue Square Premier survival and one for the play-offs. Another superb display by the Bluebirds against very good opposition ensured a well-deserved share of the points.

As the sun was setting, Barrow kicked off towards the Crossbar end and started where they left off in the second half on Saturday. Within 30 seconds, Spender brought a save from Bevan. In the 8th minute an assist by Boyd led to a Rogan shot which was also saved.

One of Torquay’s main danger men was No.3, Kevin Nicholson, whose Rory Delap-like throws into the penalty area challenged Barrow’s defence throughout. In the 11th minute such a throw found Carlisle who headed over the bar and Barrow did well to clear all his efforts throughout the game.

In turn, we kept up the pressure ourselves and a good cross from McGill was latched onto by Walker who shot inside the right-hand post on 11 minutes 50 seconds for 1-0. What a start!

In the 21st minute, Rogan passed through to Walker who shot into the side netting. Two minutes later, Torquay’s Sturrock shot well over from close range. In the next ten minutes, Bevan saved twice from McGill and once from Logan.

The first corner of the match came in the 36th minute, Carlisle’s kick being well cleared by McNulty. At the other end, a Boyd free kick a minute later saw McNulty head wide. Another 30 yard free kick by Boyd in the 41st minute also went wide.

At half time, Barrow had shaded the first half and certainly created more chances. In a very open end-to-end second half, Torquay threatened more but Barrow played well to defend and in turn manage plenty of good breaks ourselves.

Barrow had the first chance of the second half, a Boyd corner less than two minutes in being headed just past the right-hand post by Walker.

However, Torquay were fast and dangerous on the break and in the 49th minute, Hargreaves drilled in a shot from the right giving Deasy no chance for the equaliser.

Barrow did not capitulate and dug in well. In the 58th minute, Torquay’s goalkeeper Scott Bevan went down injured and had to be replaced by Michael Poke.

The following minute, Walker tried a long looping shot which went just over the crossbar.

In the 60th minute, Deasy fell as he was about to save but McNulty came to the rescue. He then cleared the resultant Nicholson corner and set Barrow up for a counter attack. In the 65th minute a Spender shot was punched away by Poke. Five minutes later at the other end it was Deasy’s turn to make a good stop from Wroe.

In the 72nd minute, Boyd let fly with a low powerful shot from 30 yards which Poke did well to block. Barrow continued to pile on the pressure and a McGill cross was put out by Robertson for a corner in the 74th minute. That corner from the left led to another from the right, Torquay’s substitute Ellis coming on in between the two corners and clearing the second. The counter attack by Torquay led to an excellent close-range save by Deasy from Todd.

The last 10 minutes were nail-biting as Torquay went flat out for the winner. Our defence proved up to the task and we cleared well for more attacks of our own. In the 85th minute, a Nicholson corner led to a shot by Ellis which Deasy saved. As four minutes of extra time were announced, Barrow gave everything and forced two injury time Boyd corners.

The crowd again played its part to spur Barrow on and as the four minutes of injury time ended, the crowd erupted in song and applause. The whole squad and managers in turn applauded the fans and walked round the field to receive a thoroughly deserved lengthy standing ovation for their efforts today and throughout the season.

Steve McNulty was awarded Man of the Match. Great to see Walker back to his best but the whole team again passed with flying colours. Well done lads- nearly there. If Weymouth fail to beat York on Friday we can relax at Eastbourne on Sunday!