A FIRST senior goal from defender Neo Eccleston proved enough as Barrow secured an impressive victory at Harrogate.
A third win in their opening four League Two games was sealed late on thanks to the Huddersfield loanee’s thumping header from a corner.
Ahead of the clash at the Exercise Stadium, Bluebirds boss Stephen Clemence opted to make a few alterations to his starting XI.
There were three changes to the side which edged out Derby in the Carabao Cup during the week – a dramatic spot-kicks victory which earned the club a dream trip to Chelsea.
Dom Telford and Sam Foley were dropped to the bench, with Elliot Newby out of the squad altogether.
Kian Spence and Robbie Gotts stepped up from the bench, while deadline day loan signing, teenager Chris Popov, was thrown in for an immediate start up front.
Once the action got under way, the visitors opened brightly.
Dean Campbell unleashed an early low volley after a Ben Jackson cross wasn’t cleared, but his effort was comfortably saved by James Belshaw.
Ged Garner also went close before Harrogate, who’d endured a mixed start to the new campaign thus far, threatened for the first time after 18 minutes.
Ellis Taylor swung over a super cross, only for Toby Sims to head disappointingly off target from a great position.
Just before the half-hour mark the Bluebirds almost went in front.
A terrific move saw Katia Kouyate find Ben Jackson, but his strike was superbly saved by Belshaw.
Clemence’s men were pushing hard for a breakthrough, and Jackson went close again after a neat lay-off from Gotts.
Beyond that leading up to the interval, both sides rather ran out of steam.
Both struggled to carve out a meaningful opening and the first half ended goalless.
The Bluebirds made an encouraging start to the second period.
The visitors threatened first, with Jackson seeing a smart curling effort blocked after a measured through-ball from the increasingly impressive Gotts.
There was only one single goal in both games between these two last season, and this clash was looking as though maybe just the one strike may be enough this time.
As the hour mark approached, clear-cut chances were definitely coming at a premium, with defences seemingly on top.
Gotts tried his luck and was thwarted by another decent stop from Belshaw, before the same player went close from a set-piece situation.
His free-kick from an angle drifted over the crossbar.
Both Clemence and his opposite number Simon Weaver made changes in a bid to force an outcome, with this game clearly in need of a spark from someone.
That bit of real quality from Barrow finally came with 16 minutes to go.
Jackson swung over a superb corner-kick, which was met perfectly by Eccleston, who powered home a powerful header past a flat-footed Belshaw.
Barrow ‘keeper Paul Farman made terrific saves to keep out Matty Foulds and Stephen Dooley late on, but Harrogate couldn’t find a leveller.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel