VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

GUISELEY AFC 0 BARROW AFC 1 (Hall 51)

TEN-MAN Barrow moved out of the relegation places and sent Guiseley down thanks to a 1-0 win at Nethermoor.

The important victory was secured thanks to a header by captain Asa Hall, just after the second half had started.

The only sour note as the Bluebirds moved two points above Woking into 20th place was a red card for Donovan Makoma.

Barrow had the better chances during the game and somehow did not go in at the break with a lead, but they got the goal they needed to ensure their Vanarama National League status is in their own hands.

The Bluebirds were taking on a side who simply had to win to avoid relegation, also another side managed by Paul Cox during the current season.

Barrow fans had turned up in good number, with two coaches and others as well making plenty of noise as the match got under way.

The away side made a promising start, with a few Dan Jones throw-ins causing problems for Guiseley, though each time they were eventually cleared.

The encouraging start kept going for Barrow, as they looked to get the opening goal but they were unable to create a real chance for the first 10 minutes.

Loanee Lewis Walters had the first significant opportunity for the visitors, when he hit an effort from just outside the area which curled towards the top right-hand corner, but lacked power and it was held by Joe Green.

With half-an-hour gone, there was a warning for Ady Pennock’s side when Rowan Liburd worked his way into the area, his effort from inside the box beat Steve Arnold but also passed the post, much to the relief of the visitors.

AFC then had two key chances before half-time, but somehow did not take the lead, firstly when Jordan White got through one-on-one but Green did well to get his body in the way.

The best opportunity of the half fell to Kingsley James, who was found in the area with a delightful cross, but with a free header from six yards out, he aimed wide and the scores were level at the break.

Barrow started the second half well and took the lead on 51 minutes when a Makoma free-kick was placed into the box. Green came for it and missed, with captain Hall in the right place to power his header in and send the away fans wild.

The goal seemed to open the game up, and the hosts nearly levelled quickly afterwards when a cross took a couple of deflections and Rowan Liburd saw his effort beat Arnold, but Calum McDonald somehow acrobatically cleared the ball off the line.

The Bluebirds were on the lookout for the second goal but also had to defend as well, with Walters helping at both ends of the pitch with some impressive blocks when stopping the hosts starting attacks.

Arnold would be forced into a smart save, when a cross found Rowan Liburd who took a touch and saw his effort, turned behind by the Barrow keeper.

The Bluebirds were then able to create some chances as well, although none were as clear-cut as they would have wanted them to be.

With time running out, Guiseley threw players at it, the visitors though were able to control most of the possession, but that changed when Makoma was sent off for putting his hands to the face of Calum McFadzean.

Barrow were professional in how they saw the match out, and when the full-time whistle went, there were big celebrations for the visiting fans, but they know the work is not yet done as they look to secure their National League status.

Guiseley AFC: Green, Holden, Palmer, Flowers, Nirennold, Hurst (McFadzean 67), Wesolowski (Purver 52), Hatfield (Odejayi 87), Rooney, Liburd, Southwell.

Substitutes Not Used: Coddington, Roberts.

Yellow Cards: Southwell (89).

Barrow AFC: Steve Arnold 6, Donovan Makoma 6, Asa Hall 8, Moussa Diarra 7, Calum Macdonald 7, Lewis Walters 8 (Bradley Bauress 78 5), Kingsley James 6, Dan Jones 7, Jordan White 7, Grant Holt 6 (Harry Panayiotou 75 5), Luke James 7, (Tony Diagne 87 5).

Substitutes Not Used: Bedsente Gomis, Ollie Cook.

Yellow Cards: Hall (17), Holt (33).

Red Cards: Makoma (88).

Referee: Matthew Donohue.

Attendance: 611.

Star man: Lewis Walters – A creative spark who worked hard to help the defence out as well.