Published at 11:50, Friday, 27 March 2009

GARETH Jelleyman endured a losing debut as Barrow AFC wobbled out of the Setanta Shield last night.

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The below-par Bluebirds were beaten 1-0 by lower-league AFC Telford United in front of over 2,100 free-to-enter fans – the biggest crowd at Holker Street this year.

The Bucks, who finished the game with 10 men following a late red card for James Meredith, will now play Forest Green Rovers in the competition’s televised final.

The goal that won it came on the hour mark when a mistake by Marcus Holness allowed powerhouse striker Ricky Sappleton the opportunity to thunder the ball home from 22 yards.

For debutant Jelleyman it was not the result he had hoped for in his first game for the club.

“It didn’t go as well as I had hoped because myself and the other lads really wanted a victory,” said the 28-year-old left-back.

“It was a scrappy game played in difficult conditions.

“I felt we did enough to get something. We had the better chances, but just one mistake and we’ve been punished.

“Everyone is a bit gutted in the dressing room, but we’ve got to kick-on now ahead of the league game at Weymouth on Sunday.”

Rushden and Diamonds defender Jelleyman learned of Barrow’s interest on Wednesday night and agreed a loan move until the end of the season in time to beat the loan transfer deadline.

Speaking after the game, the Peterborough-based father-of-two, under contract at Nene Park until the summer but out of favour at present, said: “I only found out about Barrow’s interest last night, it came out of the blue.

“I wanted to go out and play some games and here I am. I went into training this morning and was told there was a game today. I didn’t train, just went home, got my gear and drove up here.”

He added: “As soon as it came up I was more than happy to make the loan move.

“It’s a chance to play football and that’s what I want to do. My aim is to help Barrow stay up and then see what happens from then.”

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