Barrow AFC v Ebbsfleet United

Barrow AFC v Ebbsfleet United 

The Fleet make their longest trip of the season on Wednesday evening as they travel to Cumbria to face fellow strugglers Barrow.

This match was originally scheduled for Saturday 23 March but heavy overnight snow in the area forced the game to be postponed. It proved to be a wasted trip for the Fleet squad as they travelled up Friday lunch-time.

Barrow AFC 
Founded - 1901
Nickname - The Bluebirds
Ground - Holker Street (named the Furness Building Society Stadium for the 2012-13 season)
Manager - David Bayliss
Captain - Gavin Skelton
Top scorer - Adam Boyes (12)

Barrow, founded in 1901, have only been in the non-league pyramid since 1973. The club played in the Lanacashire Combination League. Their last season (1920-21) in this league culminated in them winning it. Then came the formation of the Football League Third Division North; Barrow were one of the founder members. The 1953-54 season saw Barrow's record crowd attendance at Holker Street; 16,784 turned up to see Barrow face Swansea City in the FA Cup. Barrow's poor finances, amongs other things, were the reason they were voted out of the Football League in the 1972-73. The club have been in non-league since. The Bluebirds were promoted to the Conference Premier in the 2007-08 season after beating Stalybridge in the Conference North Play-Off final, and in 2009-10, the Club won the FA Trophy for the second time in their History beating Stevenage in the final. Their first victory came in 1990, beating Leek Town in the final.

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 in-form Hyde at Holker Street in their last match. The Tigers had recorded five wins on the trot so it was always going to be tough for the Bluebirds, and so it proved as just two minutes into the match Scott Hogan found the bottom corner to give the visitors the early lead. Barrow fought back and got a deserved equaliser when Mike Pearson's volley found the net. Things got better for the Bluebirds in the 31st minute when Hyde defender Josh Brizell was shown a red card for serious foul play. Despite the man advantage and far more chances than their opponents, Barrow couldn't get that all important second goal. Barrow remain third from bottom but just two points from safety with a game in hand on the three teams directly above them. A win for the Bluebirds will see them outside of the relegation zone.

The Fleet travelled over the bridge to face Braintree Town in a match that was must-win if they were to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. Unfortunately, they were second best for most of the game as they have been all season. Matt Godden scored early on but his effort was met by the linesman's flag. Braintree took the lead as Luke Daley struck home from six yards out. The Fleet were level in the 36th minute when a neat one-two let Liam Enver-Marum through on goal. He made no mistake has he slotted home from eight yards out. A few minutes later Godden struck a magnificent free-kick against the woodwork and just two minutes after that, the Iron were ahead again. The Fleet failed to deal with a free-kick and the unmarked James Mulley headed home from eight yards. The game was over just past the hour mark when Kenny Davis netted from the spot. Things went from bad to worse for the Fleet when Stefan Payne was shown a straight red for what looked like a two-footed challenge. The Fleet remain second from bottom and are still eleven points from safety. A loss here would really be the final nail in the coffin.

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. The striker will be playing his last game for the Fleet. Preston Edwards is extremely vital for the Fleet at the moment. The young shot stopper has been excellent for most of the season, pulling off fantastic saves in every match. It's been said before, but the Fleet really would be down already if it wasn't for Edwards.

TEAM NEWS: 

Danny Rowe is a doubt for Barrow and recent loan signing Steve Williams is missing. Other than that, Bayliss should have a full squad to choose from.

Stefan Payne will be missing from the squad after his red card against Braintree. Jack Saville is back in action while Craig Stone could be close to a return while striker Moses Ashikodi is back and available for selection.

BARROW'S LAST SIX MATCHES (DDWWLL): 

Barrow 1-1 Hyde
Grimsby Town 0-0 Barrow
Barrow 1-0 Macclesfield Town
Dartford 0-1 Barrow
Hereford United 2-1 Barrow
Barrow 0-2 Stockport County

EBBSFLEET'S LAST SIX MATCHES (LLDWLD): 

Braintree Town 3-1 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
Cambridge United 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Southport
Alfreton Town 3-0 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Newport County

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

MEMORY MATCH:

Barrow 0-3 Ebbsfleet United

A lovely summer's day saw the Fleet run out three nill winners at Holker Street.

A goal from Luke Moore and two from Michael Gash was enough to give the Fleet all three points.

Attendance: 1,378. 


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.