Two league difference counts in the end as Rochdale progress in FA Cup
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Barrow Lad
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Two league difference counts in the end as Rochdale progress in FA Cup
Postby Barrow Lad » Sat Jan 07, 2017 6:54 pm
Barrow: Flatt, Beeley, Anderton, Livesey, Diarra, Hughes, Harvey, Rowe, Bennett, Harrison, Williams
71: Wright replaced Rowe. Haworth replaced Hughes
77: Hannah replaced Bennett
Booked: Rowe (39, foul on Davies)
Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, McNulty, McGahey, Lund, Andrews, Camps, Rathbone, Keane, Davies, Henderson
81: Cannon replaced Henderson
87: Allen replaced Rathbone
90+3: Canavan replaced Keane
GOALS: Henderson (17, 62)
Booked: Rathbone (33, foul on Williams)
After a lunchtime live build up on BBC’s “Football Focus”, a capacity 4,414 descended on a misty Holker Street to first see the legendary Brian Arrowsmith on the pitch to see the main stand named in his honour, the curtain-raiser for the 3rd round FA Cup tie against Rochdale. Playing the fifth placed team in League 1 even at home was always going to be tough, but Barrow started encouragingly, early play belying the two league gulf between the teams.
A minute in, a foul on Byron Harrison resulted in a free kick from Alex-Ray Harvey which was easily saved by Conrad Logan. Barrow won the first corner in the 4th minute but this turned out to be one of many set pieces which the visitors easily dealt with.
Six minutes in, Barrow had to defend a dangerous Joe Rafferty ball across the area and the resultant Ollie Rathbone corner. At the other end, a Jordan Williams free kick was blocked after he was badly fouled by Keith Keane.
After an opening quarter hour which Barrow had edged, a Calvin Andrew shot was deflected out for a corner. Unfortunately the Davies corner kick was not defended well, Ian Henderson’s free header giving Rochdale a 17th minute lead.
Barrow continued to press. A minute later, a Williams cross was headed out by Rafferty for a Barrow corner and in the 22nd minute, Williams was tripped and gained a free kick from the left. This was headed out for a corner from the right which was again put out for a corner from the left. This was cleared but the ball fell to Nick Anderton whose ball into the area gave Richie Bennett a shot which was blocked by Logan at point blank range.
After this near-equaliser, Rochdale turned on the pressure, Matty Lund shooting across just wide of the left post in the 28th minute with only Barrow debutant goalie Jon Flatt to beat. Four minutes later, Flatt saved an Andrew header.
Barrow plugged away, Williams gaining another free kick when he was fouled by Rathbone for a booking in the 33rd minute. This was again blocked, but four minutes later a Williams shot was punched away by Logan. Bluebird debutant Dan Rowe (no relation to ex-Bluebird Danny Rowe) was then booked for a foul on Steven Davies although it was frustrating to see Joe Rafferty escape punishment for persistent holding of Barrow players. In added time a dangerous Rafferty cross was put out for a corner but the half ended with only a one-goal deficit to surmount.
In the second half, Barrow struggled more to contain a highly-organized opposition, quick incisive attacks stretching the Bluebirds whose own attempts were well-defended. Two minutes in, Harvey fouled Camps and then Steven Davies’ free kick sailed just wide of the left post.
On the hour, Barrow defended a Davies corner well but after gaining possession fell prey to a quick counter, McGahey and then Camps feeding Davies who shot wide. A minute later, another rapid attack saw Henderson gain his second goal from a Rathbone assist, although to the many in the crowd there were suspicions of possible offside- the replays should sort that out!!
With twenty minutes to play, Akil Wright and Andy Haworth replaced Rowe and Hughes. This gave Barrow some fresh impetus, Logan saving a Bennett header in the 72nd minute. However, neither a Williams corner nor a good Bennett cross could find the final touch needed. In the 77th minute, Bennett was replaced by Ross Hannah for a final throw of the dice. An 80th minute free kick into the area by Flatt saw Moussa Diarra shoot wide from inside the box.
Rochdale then made their three substitutions, starting with Andy Cannon replacing goalscorer Henderson in the 81st minute. Allen then replaced Rathbone as the visitors ran the clock down, an injury time switch of Canavan for Keane completing the changes.
Barrow nearly gained a consolation goal in the 6th minute of added time as Harrison placed a Williams cross just wide of the left post. Despite valiant efforts, league position told in the end and we wish Rochdale all the best in the 4th round. On the plus side, the Bluebirds have gained excellent publicity from the cup, with the heroics at Bristol Rovers and the visit by the BBC today. We also matched Carlisle’s efforts in the last round when they were also beaten 0-2 at home by Rochdale!
Captain Danny Livesey was awarded Barrow's Man of the Match. We can now concentrate on the league- and the FA Trophy- as we embark on a series of home fixtures and hopefully retain some of today’s bumper crowd for the ongoing journey.
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