Reds can’t halt Barrow’s charge to the play-offs

By John Walsh

Last updated 12:22, Wednesday, 09 April 2008

Workington 0 Barrow 1: Barrow's relentless charge towards the Blue Square North play-offs gained further momentum with a priceless derby win at Borough Park.

So close: Michael Reed hammers in a shot for Reds

It was tough on Workington, who had dominated the game in the first half, and overall a draw would have probably been a fair result.

Tim Deasy – not for the first time this season against the Reds – kept the visitors in the contest with three important saves before joint boss Darren Sheridan fired the only goal seven minutes from time.

A viciously swung free-kick from the right-hand side of the box, delivered with Sheridan’s left foot, dipped just under the angle of post and bar for a spectacular winner.

Barrow’s dogged resistance in the first-half, when they had been second best, laid the platform for an up-beat second-half display in which they finished the stronger of the two sides.

Workington, who had played so well to win 2-1 at Hyde on Saturday, were impressive over the first 45 minutes, dominating possession and territory without being able to find the important break-through.

Certainly well up for the contest, Workington clearly won the midfield battle where Graham Anthony was able to pull the strings as hard work from Dave Hewson and Tony Hopper, in particular, gave him the space he required.

But Barrow, as they have done for much of this 13 match unbeaten run, know how to hang in and frustrate the opposition.

But it was Deasy, named as man of the match by joint manager Dave Bayliss, who made sure the teams turned round all square.

His first important stop came midway through the first-half when Anthony found Michael Reed unmarked just inside the Barrow area, The goalkeeper did ever so well to come out quickly and block Reed’s hastily-struck shot.

Then almost on half-time he went down at full stretch to palm away a fierce low drive from Jonny Wright after the home striker had elegantly stepped in between the Barrow central defensive pair of Steve McNulty and Paul Jones before letting rip from the edge of the area.

Probably the best of Deasy’s saves came early in the second period when the ball bobbed around long enough in the area for Anthony to get in a shot from 12 yards which the keeper got down to well and smothered on the line.

Adam Collin was never put under as much pressure and mainly had to deal with crosses in his box, although as the game progressed to its conclusion it was the Workington defenders who were the most active.

Barrow, out-fought in mid-field earlier in the game, were more competitive and successful in that area of the field, which as a result meant the supply line to the front for Workington was largely snuffed-out.

Reed worked hard, and twice almost got round Deasy on the edge of the area as the Barrow keeper adopted a virtual sweeper’s role for his side.

Workington were disappointed about the award of a “soft free-kick” on 83 minutes and it turned out to be a costly one when Sheridan swung in an accurate shot at goal to win the match.

Reds’ own involvement in the promotion play-offs last year is only a fond, distant memory but Barrow fans are now starting to believe the impossible – that they can make it when they were closer to the drop zone as the new management duo took over.

If they do get there in four games time a certain Mr Deasy will deserve a special pat on the back for earning them at least four points from their League clashes against the Reds.

match facts

STAR MAN: Michael Reed, caused a lot of problems in the first-half for Barrow’s central defenders and was a lively raider throughout.

KEY MOMENT: Tim Deasy’s 53rd minute save to keep out a shot from Graham Anthony. A goal then would surely have given Reds the momentum they needed to go on and win the game.

Reds: Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Kirkup, Hewson (Johnston 84), Anthony, Hopper, Reed, J. Wright (Nicholson 81), A, Wright (Berkeley 84). Subs (not used) Gray, Taylor.

Crowd: 498

Referee: Kevin Mattocks, Chorley