Preview: Barrow v Stockport County

24 February 2023

Here's all the details you need ahead of Barrow's League Two clash with Stockport County.

Barrow vs Stockport County
Saturday 25th February, kick-off 3pm
SO Legal Stadium
Sky Bet League Two

Opposition
Stockport County were formed in 1883 under the name Heaton Norris Rovers, before adopting the name change to reflect gaining County Borough status. The Hatters were admitted into the Football League in 1900 following winning the Lancashire League. The Club moved away from their original home of Heaton Norris in 1902, moving south of the river to Edgely Park due to outgrowing their old stadia. The history of their nickname comes from the community’s hat-making industry starting from the 16th century, with the national centre for trade being in Stockport.

County have a rich history within the Football League, including winning Division Three North on two different occasions, and were Fourth Division champions on a singular occasion, alongside multiple different promotions runs up the pyramid throughout their existence.

Stockport come to the SO Legal Stadium as the most in-form team in the league, unbeaten in their last 6 games, winning 5, including victory away against fellow Greater Manchester side Rochdale on Tuesday night.

Head To Head
In the reverse fixture, The Bluebirds defeated County at Edgeley Park in the season’s opening game. Barrow stormed into a 3-goal lead, with Ben Whitfield assisting and striking against his former side. Pete Wild’s side had to manage the game and a late scare as the hosts brought it back to 3-2, but The Bluebirds' strong and resilient performance saw them to victory.

Saturday will be the 94th meeting between the clubs over various competitions down the years. County were Barrow's first ever opponents when we joined the Football League in 1921.

Referee
The man with the whistle and notebook at the SO Legal Stadium this afternoon will be Ollie Yates.  He’ll be accompanied by Alan Clayton and Lewis Dawson with the flags, and Alex Gray will be between the dugouts as Fourth Official.

Yates’ last game refereeing the two sides was actually on the opening day of the season, when he oversaw the fixture between Stockport County and Barrow at Edgeley Park. On that day, Yates dished out 6 yellow cards.  His last game at Holker Street was Barrow’s 2-0 victory over Swindon Town in December of last season.

Tickets
Barrow fans can still buy tickets for the game on our ticketing website and gain admission through the turnstiles via our e-ticket option.

Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket at the Ticket Office on Friday or on Saturday, up until kick-off.

Click here for more information.

Visiting With Families
If you're visiting the SO Legal Stadium with your family, check out our handy Family Guide on how to make the most of your visit.

Click here to check out our Family Guide.

Fan Zone & Cross Bar
The Cross Bar will be serving drinks pre and post match, with Happy Hours from 5pm - 7pm. We'll also have local saxaphone player Emma Hawirth performing a set in the Cross Bar from 5:30pm.

Live Streaming
We are not allowed to live stream games in the UK between the hours of 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday, so this weekend’s game will not be available to domestic supporters.

Barrow fans outside of the UK will be able to access a live stream via iFollow and you can purchase the match in the usual way ahead of kick-off.

Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.

Fans will be able to listen to the duo of Adam Johnson and John Goodwin at the SO Legal Stadium to describe all the action as it unfolds.

You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Barrow Complete Double Over County

25 February 2023

Barrow defeated high-flying Stockport County at the SO Legal Stadium after Josh Kay’s second goal in two weeks, following another well-placed pass from Ged Garner.

An open 10 minutes, saw minimal chances on both sides, Ged Garner had the best opportunity, where he saw a low-driven shot deflected narrowly wide of the target in the fifth minute.

Stockport came the closest to opening the scoring in the 25th minute, as Chris Hussey whipped his free kick from a dangerous area against the bar, following Ryan Croasdale’s shot from point-blank range, with Ollie Yates adjudging that it hit Robbie Gotts’ hand.

Just past the half hour mark, Stockport launched forward once again. Chris Hussey’s ball in from the left-hand side found Callum Camps, who shot into the ground, bouncing just wide of Paul Farman’s goal.

Two quickfire chances for Barrow in the opening of the second half, the first saw Niall Canavan’s shot blocked, falling to Elliot Newby just outside the box, his effort going just wide of the goal.

Only moments later, Robbie Gotts intercepted the ball, playing a through ball to Ged Garner, with the Barrow striker's shot at goal well saved by Ben Hinchliffe.

Josh Kay was looking to add to his goal last weekend against Bradford City in the 55th minute. A deflected shot from Robbie Gotts found Kay at the back post, and he went for the acrobatic, making contact but wide of Hinchliffe’s goal.

Only 3 minutes later, Robbie Gotts whipped a corner finding George Ray at the front post, he flicked onto Sam McClelland, heading just over the bar, as Pete Wild’s side continued to strive to break the stalemate.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic in the second period as Stockport County had a couple of opportunities in quick succession, just past the hour mark; a brilliant interception from Sam McClelland stopped Myles Hippolyte in front Paul Farman’s goal.

Two minutes later Niall Canavan stood strong, forcing Issac Olaofe to drift wide, denying a clear angle to strike cleanly at goal.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 69th minute, as Josh Kay’s sixth goal of the season gave Barrow the lead. Ged Garner and Kay connected for the second week running, with Garner sliding in a brilliant pass after a tidy run at Stockport’s defence. Kay took one touch and dispatched brilliantly, drilling his shot past Ben Hinchliffe.

Stockport registered their only shot on target with just 2 minutes left of normal time. Aaron Rowe had a tame effort on the edge of the area, which was comfortably saved by Paul Farman.

Barrow saw out stoppage time with little panic, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since October and cutting the gap to the playoff places to five points.

Full Time: Barrow 1-0 Stockport County
Attendance: 4,164 (625 away)