Preview: Barrow v Harrogate Town

2 March 2021

A photograph of Holker Street — Holker Street

Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of this evening's meeting with Harrogate Town at The Progression Solicitors Stadium (7pm kick-off).

Barrow v Harrogate Town
Tuesday 2^nd March 2021, 7pm
The Progression Solicitors Stadium
Sky Bet League Two

In Opposition
Harrogate Town arrive at The Progression Solicitors Stadium this evening on the back of an excellent run of form which has seen them win five from the last seven to move in to the top half of League Two.

Simon Weaver’s men were promoted alongside Barrow last term, having defeated Notts County at Wembley to secure their place in the EFL for the first time in the club’s history.

It’s the next chapter in a remarkable story for the North Yorkshire outfit, who have come a long way in the last decade since almost slipping out of National League North amidst financial problems.

Whilst consolidation at the higher level is undoubtedly the target this year for Town, their recent sequence of results has pushed them withing five points of a play-off place and they could yet emerge as this year’s dark horses.

One To Watch
Josh March has been proving a real handful for League Two defences since getting back to some regular football with Harrogate Town following a loan move from Forest Green Rovers in January.

The 23-year-old front man has hit the net five times in his last eight games to help Harrogate put together an excellent run of form and drive up the table.

March blasted 24 goals in 26 games for Leamington in National League North last season, which prompted Forest Green to make their move during the summer but they let him out on loan to regain fitness after injury.

Head To Head
Tonight’s game will be the 29^th time the two sides have met in competitive action in a rivalry which extends back as far as an FA Cup qualifier in 1993.

Town have edged it historically having won on 11 occasions in comparison to Barrow’s nine triumphs, while the North Yorkshire outfit have also won three of the last four encounters.

The Bluebirds’ last win over Town came in 2016/17 when we came out on top with a 4-2 success in the FA Trophy.

Referee
Robert Lewis will be on duty at The Progression Solicitors Stadium for the first time this season when he takes charge of our encounter with Harrogate Town this evening.

However, the experienced official has seen The Bluebirds in action during 2020/21 previously having presided over our trip to Newport County back in September.

Lewis is in to his 16^th season as an EFL referee and has been treated to an avalanche of goals in his recent outings, overseeing Accrington’s 6-1 win over Bristol Rovers and Forest Green Rovers’ 4-3 triumph over Oldham Athletic in the past month.

Betting
Harrogate Town have been installed as 11/8 favourites for three points tonight, while Barrow are rated a 9/5 shot for victory and the draw is priced up at 23/10 with our friends at Sky Bet.

Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on tonight’s action.

Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch tonight’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available so that you can enjoy every minute of tonight’s game against Harrogate Town.

Season Ticket holders are still able to enjoy complimentary access to home games and your iFollow accounts should now have been upgraded.

Click here now to buy your Match Pass for this evening.

Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of Tuesday’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria’s Adam Johnson and John Goodwin who will 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.

Click here now to subscribe to iFollow Barrow.

Match Reports

Another Late Goal Defeats Bluebirds

2 March 2021

A photograph of Ollie Banks — Ollie Banks in action against Harrogate Town

Jack Muldoon came off the bench to fire the only goal of the game six minutes from time as Barrow were beaten by Harrogate Town at The Progression Solicitors Stadium.

A high-energy encounter looked to be heading towards stalemate in the Cumbria mist before Muldoon found room in behind and a clinical finish to decide the game in Town’s favour.

The first half began at a furious tempo with both sides chasing and harassing their opposite, which meant for a frantic opening period during which chances were at a premium.

Scott Quigley had the whiff of an opening after Barrow put together the best move of the game down the right but Neal Eardley’s teasing cross found the front man just offside at the front post.

Joel Dixon had a bit of a let-off on 15 minutes as he went to clear the ball only to see it charged down by the busy Town front man Josh March but thankfully it dropped wide of the target.

Quigley then seized on a sloppy pass at the back from the visitors to get in on the right side of the area but his low drive was well saved by keeper James Belshaw.

Town responded with an opportunity of their own at the other end as Josh McPake cut in dangerously from the left to a drive a testing effort on goal which Dixon did well to parry away.

Barrow started the second half positively and could have gone in front four minutes after the restart when Kgose Ntlhe did well to keep the ball alive inside the Town area but Quigley’s powerful drive was blocked by the keeper at his front post.

There was another scare for The Bluebirds moments later as Dixon’s clearance was intercepted and worked back inside the box for March but his shot was saved by the Barrow keeper.

Quigley took possession from a throw-in on the right to turn and fire on goal but couldn’t keep his shot down as it rose just over the bar.

The introduction of Jamie Devitt and Chris Taylor gave Barrow a further lift and they almost went in front when good play gave Luke James a sight of goal but he couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Belshaw.

The game remained high tempo but developed in to a scrappy affair as it headed towards the closing stages and it looked as though the points would be shared.

However, on 84 minutes Barrow were caught on the break by their visitors and substitute Jack Muldoon scampered clear from the halfway line and then slotted a confident finish low across Dixon and into the bottom corner of the net.

The Bluebirds had a half chance to snatch a leveller when good football from Devitt and Chris Taylor presented Quigley with a shooting opportunity, but he fired wide under pressure.

Full Time: Barrow 0 Harrogate Town 1

Barrow: Dixon, Eardley, J Jones, Thomas, Brough, Ntlhe (Devitt 59), Barry (Ndjoli 91), J Taylor, Banks (C Taylor 59), Quigley, James.
Subs not used: Lillis, Donohue, Goodridge.

Booked: Brough.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Jones, Smith, Burrell, Thomson, Beck (Martin 63), Kerry (Falkingham 63), March (Muldoon 63), McPake, Power.
Subs not used: Minter, Lawlor, Francis.

Booked: Kerry, Smith.

Referee: Robert Lewis

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors