Barrow 1-1 AFC Fylde

Hindle 75′ – Bond 38′

Fylde’s contested a scrappy, end-to-end game with Barrow on Boxing Day, with the spoils shared following a close affair.

Andy Bond netted in the first half to give the Coasters a half-time lead before substitute Jack Hindle equalised in the second half with a clever flick.

Team News

The Coasters came into the game unchanged following the 2-0 win at Ebbsfleet United, which saw Croasdale and Rowe net the goals.

Barrow were forced to make one change, as Kyle Jameson deputised for the injured Brian Wilson.

First Half

It was a lively start for the hosts, who nearly took the lead inside a minute. Barthram was on hand to capitalise on Francis-Angol’s slip, sliding in Rhys Turner.

Turner’s lobbed effort looked destined to open the scoring, but Luke Burke was on hand to make a crucial goal-line clearance.

This set a precedent for the opening exchanges, and just minutes later The Bluebirds threatened again.

Rhys Turner anticipated a long ball and volleyed on the turn from 20 yards – but it was just over the bar, thankfully for the Coasters.

Then came the game’s most controversial moment, as a penalty call for Barrow was denied, following a cross that appeared to have struck Luke Burke’s arm in the penalty box.

The home side were adamant and surrounded the referee, but Rebecca Welch stood firm and denied it.

The Coasters were able to regroup after this, with slick passing moves beginning to pay off.

The first sight of goal for The Coasters came as Arthur Gnahoua travelled well with the ball before sending a shot crashing over, followed closely by Andy Bond scuffing a half-volley into the ground moments later.

Despite Barrow having the better chances previous to this, the Coasters were the side to break the deadlock.

A swift move that started with Jay Lynch saw the ball worked wide to Croasdale, who played it across the box to Bond, who fired home with a brilliant first-time effort.

It was superbly taken by Bond, who notched his sixth of the season and gave the Coasters a lead perhaps against the run of play.

Second Half

The Coasters knew that a second goal would be needed to see the game out comfortably, and their approach demonstrated this.

Tom Brewitt sent a long ball down the right channel for Gnahoua to chase. The winger was able to win it, and fed it low across the box to Andy Bond, who was well denied by Joel Dixon from close range,

Barrow had been unlucky not to have found the back of the net at this stage, and in the 54th-minute centre-back Dan Jones struck a ball against the woodwork, after a corner wasn’t cleared.

The equaliser came not long after, as great work by full-back Norrington-Davies found the onrushing Jack Hindle, who’s guided a clever flick past Jay Lynch from close range.

It was then Barrow who looked the most likely to earn the three points, as Hindle and Dyson looked to cause problems amongst the Coasters back four.

Dyson was played in one-on-one with a minute to go, but the pacey heroics of Zaine Francis-Angol ensured that nothing came of the move, and in the end, both teams had to settle for a draw.

Reaction

“We’ve played better this season and not won games,” said manager Dave Challinor afterwards. We weren’t at our best, but we got ourselves in front – and when you’re in that situation and don’t take three points it’s always disappointing.

“It became frustrating because when we did get through we didn’t show enough quality, and we know we can be a lot better, and improve in decision making.”

“It’s unique in the sense that it’s a quick turnaround and we’ll play them [Barrow] again so soon, so we’ll learn from this – but overall it feels like a missed opportunity, especially with the top two [Leyton Orient and Salford City] slipping up today.”

Teams

Barrow: Dixon, Barthram, Norrington-Davies, Jameson, Granite, Joes, Taylor, Agustien, Rooney, Blyth, Turner

Subs: Brown, Hindle, Kay, Dyson, Jennings.

AFC Fylde: Lynch, Francis-Angol, Byrne, Brewitt, Burke; Montrose (Tasdemir 79′), Bond, Croasdale; Haughton, Rowe; Gnahoua (Williams 80′),

Subs: Tunnicliffe, Philliskirk, Birch, 

Bookings: Barrow: Jameson, Jones, Taylor Fylde: Montrose