COME the end of the season Barrow AFC might view their draw at struggling Woking as two points dropped, or one gained if the Cards maintain their six-game unbeaten home run, writes DAVID RICHARDSON.
The Bluebirds themselves extended an unbeaten record too. They have now gone 11 National League games without defeat and remain in the play-off picture.
Barrow arrived at the Laithwaite Community Stadium having won three of their last four away games, and when Byron Harrison gave the visitors a first-half lead it looked set to be another perfect away day.
Battling Woking had other ideas, however, and they equalised shortly after half-time from a contentious penalty, which Forest Green loanee Matt Tubbs converted.
On a day when only two of the top seven teams claimed maximum points, this was a missed opportunity for Barrow to move into the top three. They could have no complaints with the result, though, as Woking showed plenty of hunger and desire to earn a well deserved point and remain just above the relegation zone.
The Cards haven’t struggled to score goals this season – the second highest in the bottom half – but have the second worst defensive record under the experienced Garry Hill, who is nearing his sixth year in charge of the Surrey-based club.
Paul Cox made two changes to his side that advanced into the FA Cup First Round with a 2-1 over Tranmere Rovers last Saturday. Liam Hughes replaced the suspended Jordan Williams while Richie Bennett came in for Richie Harrison.
The impressive Gozie Ugwu had his shot blocked by Barrow’s Danny Livesey in the fourth minute and moments later Paul Turnbull’s free-kick was tipped onto a post by Cards goalkeeper Brandon Hall.
Woking were enjoying the majority of the ball but in the 20th minute the Bluebirds scored out of nothing. Terel Thomas’ defensive header only went as far as Ryan Yates, who promptly crossed for the unmarked Harrison to head in.
Four minutes later, Ugwu went close to an equaliser as Moussa Diarra hesitated and allowed the Woking striker in, but his lobbed effort dropped wide. Barrow didn’t push on after their opener, nor did it appear that they wanted to, and could have been punished for their lethargic performance had Thomas’ free-header been on-target just shy of half-time.
A theme for Woking this season has been a much-improved second half performance – Hill presumably working his magic in the dressing room – and they started quickly after the break. Ugwu burst clear of the defence before going down holding his head after Diarra attempted to clear – and referee Carl Brook pointed to the spot. The prolific Tubbs converted the penalty, sending Dixon the wrong way, for the equaliser.
In the 64th minute Diarra had a good chance to restore Barrow’s lead but didn’t get enough purchase on his effort from inside the six-yard box. Four minutes later, the home side could have been in front when a back pass to Dixon took a nasty bobble causing him to widely slice his clearance. Dennon Lewis raced after the loose ball and had his effort well saved by the recovering goalkeeper.
Turnbull’s free-kick from 25 yards went straight into the hands of Hall before he had to parry substitute Ross Hannah’s fierce volley from a tight angle, as Barrow began to turn the screw late on.
In the first of six minutes of added time, Hughes volleyed inches wide with what proved to be the last chance in a tight encounter. Barrow are on the road again tomorrow night as they travel to managerless Wrexham.
WOKING: Brandon Hall, Jake Caprice, Nathan Ralph, Joey Jones, Terell Thomas (Fabio Saraiva 71’), Keiran Murtagh, Frankie Sutherland (Anthony Edgar 73’), Charlie Carter, Dennon Lewis, Matt Tubbs (Delano Sam-Yorke 86’) Gozie Ugwu. Substitutes Not Used: Andy Little, Chike Kandi.
Yellow Cards: Murtagh (64), Edgar (85)
BARROW: Joel Dixon 7, Shaun Beeley 6, Nick Anderton 6, Danny Livesey 7, Moussa Diarra 5, Liam Hughes 6, Paul Turnbull 6, Ryan Yates 6, Richie Bennett 5 (Ross Hannah 59’, 6), Byron Harrison 7, Akil Wright 6 (Lindon Meikle 80’). Substitutes Not Used: Andy Haworth, Alex-Ray Harvey, Euan Murray.
Yellow Cards: None.
Referee: Carl Brook.
Attendance: 1351 (Estimated 40 from Barrow).
STAR MAN – Byron Harrison – The 29-year-old took his goal well and always looked a menace but was starved of service.
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