Preview: Salford City v Barrow

25 December 2022

Find out all the details you need to know, ahead of Barrow's Boxing Day match away at Salford City.

Salford City vs Barrow
Monday 26^th December 2022, 3pm
Peninsula Stadium
Sky Bet League Two

Opposition
Formed in 1940 the club reached the Football League system for the first time in 2018-19, following the takeover of Project 92 in 2014. Salford City would then have a documentary that displayed the route to bringing the club up the divisions.

Salford’s era of success in the 1970s saw them become a major force in local divisions, winning the Manchester League Premier Division on four occasions, the Lancashire FA Amateur cup three times, the Manchester Challenge Cup twice, and the Manchester FA Intermediate Cup twice.

Under the guidance of Graham Alexander, Salford would enjoy Wembley success beating AFC Fylde 3-0 in the final to achieve EFL status, becoming the first club to gain back-to-back promotions in achieving this milestone. They would be back in 2021 for the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final where they would win their first trophy as a Football League Club, winning 4-2 on penalties against Portsmouth.

The Venue
Opened in 1978, Moor Lane (known as the Peninsula Stadium for sponsorship purposes) began redevelopment in October 2016 which would mix seats with terrace areas and improve club facilities bringing a modern look to the club, with the improvements bringing the capacity to 5,108. After agreeing on a deal with Peninsula to own the naming rights for the stadium, Sir Alex Ferguson would cut the ribbon on the opening of the ground, with the Class of 92 XI playing out a 4-4 draw against Salford on the opening fixture.

The record attendance came in the Carabao Cup First Round against Leeds United in 2019.

Head To Head
Within the Football League, Barrow and The Ammies have only faced each other on 4 occasions with Salford taking 3 wins from 4 and the other ending in a 2-2 draw last time out at the Peninsula Stadium.

Barrow staged a second-half comeback last season, with goals from Josh Gordon and Aaron Amadi-Holloway before Ian Henderson’s controversial late goal salvaged a point for the hosts.

Referee
The man with the whistle at the Peninsula Stadium will be Thomas Parsons. He’ll be assisted by Ian Smedley and Paul Stonier; Andy Haines has been assigned to Fourth Official duties for the Boxing Day fixture.

Parsons’s last refereeing appointment came between Crewe Alexandra and Colchester where Crewe walked away with a 1-0 victory, a match which produced 5 yellow cards.

You might remember Parsons from Barrow’s 3-1 victory against Hartlepool United at the SO Legal Stadium as he was on Fourth Official duty on the day. A game that saw Pete Wild’s side storm into a 3-0 lead in 21 minutes before a consoloation goal from Pools late into the game.

Tickets
Tickets for the fixture can be purchased on the day at Salford City.

Fans are advised that cash admission is available for Barrow fans at Turnstile 'A' on Moor Lane for the East Stand Terrace. Salford City cannot take card payment at the turnstiles and there are no cash withdrawal facilities in the vicinity of the stadium.

Prices are as follows, for both seating and standing:
Adult: £15
Concession: £10 (16-21 and 60+ on the day of the game)
Under 16: £5
Under 5: Free

Live Streaming
Domestic live streaming will be allowed for the fixture, which means that Salford City v Barrow will be available on iFollow in the UK and abroad.

You can buy a video match pass HERE.

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 Adam Johnson and former Bluebirds captain Danny Livesey at the Peninsula 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

Stevens Screamer Secures A Point For Barrow

Match Report: Salford City 1-1 Barrow

26 December 2022

Jordan Stevens' 80th minute strike ensured a well earned point for The Bluebirds at the Peninsula Stadium on Boxing Day.

That effort from the former Leeds United man ensured that Barrow departed Greater Manchester with a point, with Stevens' wonderstrike cancelling out Matt Smith’s first-half headed effort.

A positive opening few minutes for Pete Wild’s side saw Josh Gordon get above Salford Keeper Tom King, who scrambled to keep the ball out, and just about did enough on the line to push it out. It was the closest either side had come to open the lead in the opening 10 minutes.

In the 17^th minute, Salford won a free kick on the edge of the Barrow area, whipped at Josh Lillis’s goal and just inches wide by Elliot Watt to the jeers of Barrow fans behind the goal.

25 minutes into the fixture, the hosts took the lead through Matt Smith, whose precise headed effort at the back post found its way beyond the reach of Josh Lillis, after Elliot Watt delivered a pinpoint diagonal ball into the area.

Sam Foley almost brought The Bluebirds level straight from the restart, after he struck a thunderous shot from 40 yards. Only the bar was in the way of an instant reply from Barrow.

37 minutes, in Callum Henry received a straight red from referee Thomas Parsons after he committed an attrocious two-footed lunge on Tom White by the corner flag inside Barrow’s half.

With just a couple of minutes to go before the half time whistle, Barrow’s quick counterattack from a Salford corner fell at the feet of Ben Whitfield who steadied himself and unleashed a shot at Tom King who saved well down the centre of the goal. Barrow continued on the charge, and a corner whipped low fell at the feet of Patrick Brough who shot narrowly missed over Tom King’s bar.

At the opening of the second half, Salford attacked down the left-hand side with Conor McAleny who charged into the Barrow box but was well recovered by Tyrell Warren and put out for a corner kick.

58 minutes on the clock, Luke Bolton fouled Josh Gordon on the edge of the Salford box resulting in a yellow card for the Ammies, Ben Whitfield stood over the free kick and whipped it back post but well dealt with from Salford.

In the 71st minute, Barrow stormed forward looking for the decisive goal to level the game, Patrick Brough was brought down inside the box following his cross, not enough contact for a penalty is the ball trickled out for a corner to the visitors.

With 77 minutes on the clock, a concession of headers into the box eventually fell to Billy Waters who struck on the volley but couldn’t quite do enough to challenge Tom King’s goal.

With just 10 minutes to go Barrow grabbed that well deserved leveller: Jordan Stevens striking on the half volley from 30 yards out rocketing into the top right of Tom King’s goal. A Christmas cracker sent the away fans jubilant behind the goal.

In the 84^th minute, Harrison Neal unleashed a strike just over the bar, inches away from giving Bluebirds the lead, As Barrow continued to pile the pressure on Salford.

Seconds remained on the referee's watch, when Salford won a free kick on the edge of the area. The set piece was passed to Ibou Touray on the edge of the area, with his shot rattling off the bar bouncing back out off on the line, the home players adamant that it did indeed cross the line.

Full Time: Salford City 1-1 Barrow
Attendance: 2,881 (680 Away)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Make Your Boxing Day Plans Now!

20 December 2022

Barrow and The Bluebirds Trust are urging supporters to make early arrangements ready for the Salford City game on Boxing Day.

Four buses are already full and a healthy support traditionally travels down the M6.

Trust Chairman Steve Herbert said:

"Once we have filled six buses that is likely to be it and of course there aren't any trains.

We just don't want folk trying to book on Christmas Eve only find us full."

Steve, who is also part of the Trust Travel team added:

"I also notice that for those who like to buy tickets before the game, they won't be able to collect them after 1pm on the 23rd, so you might want to plan ahead there too."

The convoy of buses will leave Ramsden Square at 10am. The cost is £20 for Trust Members and £25 non-members. Accompanied under 16s go free if accompanied by an adult.

Seats can be booked by clicking HERE.

Ticket information for Salford City v Barrow can be found HERE.

Tickets can also be purchased online, or at the Club Shop at the SO Legal Stadium, before 7pm on Thursday 22nd December.