Last updated at 14:44, Tuesday, 27 April 2010

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

FIVE weeks today, Barrow AFC will be stepping out at Wembley to play Stevenage Borough in the FA Trophy final.

Every Saturday in the build up to the Bluebirds’ big day out, the Evening Mail will look back at Barrow’s brilliant run so far.

This week LEE PROCTER recalls the first round win at Kettering Town

THE Road To Wembley started at Rockingham Road on Saturday, December 12.

Barrow arrived in Northamptonshire having not beaten the Poppies on their own turf since 2005, when a 3-1 victory brought to an end Paul Gascoigne’s brief spell as Kettering manager.

Four years on, Jason Walker’s 49th-minute header ended Barrow’s long wait for another win at Kettering.

The Bluebirds had gone into the game on the back of a stunning midweek FA Cup second round replay win over big guns Oxford United at Holker Street. That set up a dream third round trip to Premier League Sunderland.

Yet, while most celebrated an upcoming visit to the Stadium of Light, AFC joint-manager Dave Bayliss was seemingly more focused on the FA Trophy and, even at this early stage, going all the way to Wembley.

Speaking before the trip to Kettering, Bayliss told the Evening Mail: “We have more chance of winning the Trophy than the FA Cup, and I know all the Barrow fans remember going to Wembley and winning it in 1990. We’ve done well in the FA Cup, but the Trophy is always something I’ve wanted to go far in and I know (fellow joint-boss Darren Sheridan) does too.”

Barrow lost keeper Stuart Tomlinson to injury in the warm-up, giving Tim Deasy a chance to stake his claim between the sticks. It was a chance the 24-year-old was not about to let slip through his gloves.

Man-of-the-match Deasy performed heroics in the first half, with a string of outstanding saves that kept Barrow in the tie.

His best came on 18 minutes when he spread himself superbly to block Anthony Elding’s close-range shot. Deasy also kept out a good effort from Simon Heslop as Kettering – inspired by on-loan winger Richie Partridge – piled on the pressure.

The second half was a different story, with central midfielders Robin Hulbert and Andy Bond dictating proceedings.

The Bluebirds scored the only goal of the game four minutes after the re-start when Walker rose unchallenged at the far post and powerfully headed home a pinpoint Marc Goodfellow cross.

It was the Barrovian striker’s 12th goal of the season.

Kettering – who went into the game having lost their last three at home and with off-the-field troubles mounting – struggled to find a way back into the tie as Barrow took full control.

The impressive Goodfellow came close to doubling AFC’s lead before substitute Jordan Bowery had a strike ruled out for offside. Barrow right-back Simon Spender missed a glorious chance at the death, but Barrow had done enough to progress 1-0 and increase their great run of form to one defeat in 17 games.

After the game Walker said: “It wasn’t good enough first half, and we knew that. Second half, we came out with a bit more urgency and got the goal and the win that I felt we deserved.”

Bayliss said: “We couldn’t get to grips with Kettering in the first 15-20 minutes but after that we got stronger and stronger.”

Kettering player/manager Lee Harper said: “Barrow took their chance and we didn’t take ours, that’s the name of the game.”

Barrow lined up (4-4-2): Tim Deasy 9, Simon Spender 7, Gareth Jelleyman 8, Phil Bolland 8, Mike Pearson 8, March Goodfellow 8, Robin Hulbert 8, Andy Bond 8, Carlos Logan 8, Jason Walker 8, Carlos Logan 8. Sub used: Jordan Bowery 7. Subs not used: Paul Jones, Mark Boyd, Darren Sheridan, Gavin Rothery.

First published at 13:19, Friday, 02 April 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk