BARROW 0 - 0 York City

Report by Barrowlad

Barrow: Deasy, Pearson, Jelleyman, Dugdale, Bolland, Rutherford, Bond, Boyd, Walker, Taylor, Logan

89: Hulbert replaced Taylor

Booked: Jelleyman (foul on Rankine, 72)

York City: Ingham, Purkiss, Meredith, Parslow, Sangare, Barrett, Ferrell, Smith, Brodie, Gash, Lawless

65: Rankine replaced Ferrell

A crowd of 1,120, including around 100 York supporters complete with display of flags, produced a good atmosphere with singing from both sides. In an entertaining match, Barrow battled to a hard-fought draw, more than matching an in-form York side for long periods of the game in which ex-Barrow players Richard Brodie and, later on, Michael Rankine featured strongly.

York kicked off towards the crossbar end against a westerly breeze. The visitors won the first corner after three minutes; this was easily cleared and it was Barrow who had the first chance on 6 minutes, good work by Rutherford ending in a shot from the right just over the bar.

In the 14th minute, Deasy made a good save from Barrett. York’s best chance of the half came in the 22nd minute when after a Ferrell corner, Gash first hit the crossbar and then Deasy tipped his second ball over in a goalmouth scramble.

From this point, Barrow then started to exert control. In the 23rd minute, Ingham saved a 15 yard shot from Taylor and three minutes later, a Boyd 30 yarder went just over the bar. Barrow’s first corner came in the 29th minute, Taylor chipping the ball well over the bar from close range. A good ball by Pearson through to Walker in the 38th minute brought an overhead kick from the Barrow No.9 which went wide past the left-hand post. In the last five minutes of the half, Pearson shot wide after a good build up and a 20 yard Boyd free kick went over.

Overall, Barrow had edged the half- could York could make the wind advantage count in the second period ?

There’s no doubt York’s attacks were more frequent and incisive in the second period but Barrow’s defence were well up to the challenge. The first chance however fell to Barrow in the 48th minute, a good ball by Boyd finding Bond through on goal but our No.7 just couldn’t connect in time.

There was a scare in the 59th minute. A Smith cross found Brodie at full stretch, his close-range header in front of goal went wide. In the 67th minute, a 25 yard free kick by Brodie was confidently collected by Deasy.

Barrow continued to battle and good work by Bond and Walker won a 69th minute corner. After the Boyd corner, Walker’s looping header bounced off the top of the crossbar.

A dangerous counter attack by Rankine three minutes later was cut short by Jelleyman who was booked for his challenge. The free kick was cleared.

The danger wasn’t over however and in the 83rd minute, a Smith corner resulted in a Lawless shot which was headed off the line by Boyd.

Great team work had ensured a clean sheet and a number of goal-scoring chances. Boyd was awarded man of the match but all the Barrow players were given a well-deserved ovation with loud singing at the end for a full-hearted performance which erased memories of last Saturday. We can now build on this valiant recovery and move on from our 17th position up the table. Well done lads!