Barrow v Mansfield Town
Saturday 8th October, kick-Off 3pm
SO Legal Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
Opposition
Founded in 1897, Mansfield found themselves admitted into the Football League in 1931, since then have accomplished both Division Four & Division Three titles in 1975 & 1977 respectively.
The Stags play their games at Field Mill, which is the oldest professional stadia in the UK, having hosted its first fixture back in 1861. Only Sandygate Road in Sheffield is older in the English pyramid, having hosted its first competitive football game a year prior (1860) when hosts Hallam faced Sheffield, and has been home to Hallam since.
Mansfield Town have started the League Two campaign brightly, currently holding up in 7th place. Last season’s Play-Off runners up are unbeaten in their previous 5 fixtures, winning 3. Last time out for The Stags they entertained a 2-2 draw with Hartlepool United, a match which saw them take a 2-goal lead through Riley Harbottle, just shy of the hour mark, to be struck back by a brace from Josh Umerah.
Head To Head
Barrow come into the fixture having won 2 of the previous 3 meetings, Barrow fans might remember Ollie Banks converting from the spot at Field Mill last October, the only goal of the game on that day. Josh Kay had the best of the first half chances striking the bar 3 minutes in. Offrande Zanzala might've been dissappointed to not have recorded the 2nd goal of the game to wrap the match up with 73 minutes on the clock.
Barrow's highest margin of victory in the fixture came in 1934 and 1955 when consecutive 5-0 thumpings occurred. Barrow and Mansfield come into the game 6th and 7th, with The Bluebirds looking to bounce back after defeats to Leyton Orient and Tranmere Rovers. The Stags also have a point to prove after letting a 2-0 lead slide at home against Hartlepool. We could be in for an October cracker at the SO Legal Stadium.
Referee
The man with the whistle this afternoon is Tom Nield. Alongside him will be Simon Clayton and Conor Brown. The Fourth official is Aaron Jackson.
Nield has overseen 8 EFL fixtures this season, with his last fixture being Lincoln City’s 6-3 victory at Bristol Rovers in Sky Bet League One a fortnight ago.
Ironically, he oversaw Barrow’s 1-0 victory at Mansfield Town last season, where he distributed 9 yellow cards and 1 red. He also officiated Barrow’s 0-0 home draw with Harrogate Town in February.
Tickets
As always, tickets for The Bluebirds' home games can be purchased at the SO Legal Stadium prior to the game or purchased online.
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 jocular commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by long-time Barrow fan 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.