Ebbsfleet United picked up their first point on the road since November 17 on Tuesday, now they have to go one better.
The Fleet face a long trek to Cumbria to face Barrow on Saturday and will be looking to secure all three points against their relegation rivals to boost their own survival hopes. A win for Barrow will almost certainly put an end to the Fleet's survival hopes and could see the Bluebirds rise out of the relegation zone.
Barrow AFC
Founded 1901
Nickname The Bluebirds
Ground Holker Street
Manager David Bayliss
Captain Gavin Skelton
Top scorer Adam Boyes (12)
Barrow, like the Fleet, have been struggling at the wrong end of the table all season. It took them until September 8 to pick up their first win; a 1-3 victory away at Tamworth. The Bluebirds have recorded some huge losses this season, including 8-1 and 6-1 losses away at Mansfield and Luton respectively. Despite this they have picked up some impressive results including a 0-2 win away at promotion chasing Newport County and a 1-0 win at home to Luton. On the Cup front, the Bluebirds have been fairly successful. In the FA Trophy they made it to the fourth round before losing to Gainsborough Trinity of the Conference North. The Cumbrian outfit made it to the second round of the FA Cup before losing 4-1 in the replay to Macclesfield, after drawing the initial game 1-1.
Barrow faced a hell of a trip on Tuesday night as they travelled to Kent to face surprise package Dartford. On their second visit to Kent this season, the Bluebirds recorded their second win after beating Saturday's opponents at Stonebridge Road earlier in the season. The fans at Princes Park had to wait until the 74th minute for the first goal, when Darts defender Richard Rose fouled Alex-Ray Harvey in the area. Richie Baker stepped up and scored from the spot to give the visitors a precious win.
The Fleet recently knocked off a bogey side in Southport, and were looking to do the same as they travelled to Cambridge, the former home of manager Liam Daish. With both sides struggling to string a move together it was no surprise they went into half-time goalless. The Fleet rode their luck a bit before on-loan striker Matt Godden was put through on goal via a failed interception from U's defender Charlie Wassmer. The youngster made no mistake as he smashed his effort past the U's 'keeper to put the Fleet into the lead. On a night where results went against the Fleet, again, it was important they held onto the lead, unfortunately man of the match Harrison Dunk levelled the match with ten minutes to go. Debutant Johnny Gorman's effort was blocked and Dunk was on hand to strike into the empty net. Godden had a golden chance to win the game for the Fleet in injury time after some fine work from Liam Bellamy gave the striker a chance to hit home from inside the area, however he sidefooted his effort wide of goal, and with that went the Fleet's hopes of closing the gap on those sides above them.
KEY PLAYERS:
Barrow look to top scorer Adam Boyes to lead them to victory. The striker has hit twelve goals this campaign and will look to be adding to that against the worst defence in the league, although he has only hit three goals in his last ten matches. Barrow will also look to influential midfielder Richie Baker. The twenty five year old has been a regular in the first-team since joining in 2011 and has hit nine goals this season, including a hattrick at Stonebridge Road. The Fleet may need to keep him quiet if they are to get anything from the game.
The Fleet will be looking to on-loan Matt Godden. The striker is back at Stonebridge Road for a second time this season and is keen to impress his parent club with goals to keep the Fleet alive in the fight against relegation. The youngster has hit five goals in his eight league appearences and will be looking to add to that tally when the Fleet travel to Holker Street. Paul Lorraine will need to be on form for the trip to Barrow. The Bluebirds' midfield and attack will look to exploit the Fleet at every opportunity and the Fleet defence will need to be able to keep them out in this must win game.
TEAM NEWS:
Recent signings Adam Dawson and Steve Williams made their debuts in the game against Dartford and will look to continue gelling with the squad. Barrow started their last match at Dartford with just three substitutes.
The Fleet have no fresh worries with their squad.
BARROW'S LAST SIX MATCHES (WLLDWL):
Dartford 0-1 Barrow
Hereford United 2-1 Barrow
Barrow 0-2 Stockport County
Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Barrow
Barrow 2-0 Tamworth
Barrow 0-1 Wrexham
EBBSFLEET'S LAST SIX MATCHES (DWLDLL):
Cambridge United 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Southport
Alfreton Town 3-0 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Newport County
Wrexham 4-1 Ebbsfleet United
Kidderminster Harriers 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Ebbsfleet and Barrow have met thirteen times in League action, Barrow leading the head-to-head with seven wins to the Fleet's four. You will have to travel back to September 1979 for the first meeting between the sides. Gravesend (as they were back then) ran out 5-1 winners at Stonebridge Road.
22.09.12. Ebbsfleet United 2-4 Barrow
03.12.11. Barrow 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
03.09.11. Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Barrow
27.02.10. Ebbsfleet United 1-4 Barrow
17.10.09. Barrow 2-0 Ebbsfleet United
LAST TIME OUT:
Ebbsfleet United 2-4 Barrow
A Richie Baker hattrick gave the Cumbrians three points against fellow relegation strugglers Ebbsfleet.
Baker gave the visitors the lead in the 20th minute with a volley from inside the area. Paul Rutherford doubled Barrow's lead just five minutes later before Baker all but secured the win from the spot in the 36th minute. The Fleet just couldn't wait to hear the half-time whistle. The hosts came out for the second half a different outfit and goals from Tom Phipp and Nathan Elder gave the Fleet every chance of rescuing something until the 63rd minute. The hosts gave away a silly free kick on the edge of the area and of course Baker punished them, hitting his effort off the underside of the bar and in.
Attendance: 780.
HOW THE BOOKIES SEE IT:
William Hill have Barrow slight favourites at Evens with the Fleet at 23/10. A draw for this game sees odds of 12/5.If you fancy the hosts to record a 2-0 win then you can get odds of 12/1. If you fancy the Fleet to win both halves then you can get odds of 8/1.
Bet Victor have Barrow to win at 21/20 with the Fleet at 13/5. If you fancy a draw then you can get odds of 13/5. If you fancy Barrow striker to grab the first goal then the odds for that are 19/4. If you fancy Richie Baker to grab another surprise hattrick then you can get odds of 50/1.
Labrokes have Barrow at 19/20 with the Fleet at 11/5. A draw for this match sees odds of 23/10. If you can't split the sides and fancy a 0-0 bore draw then the odds for that are 12/1.
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