After a thrilling derby day win on Tuesday night, the Bluebirds are kicking off their FA Cup campaign this Saturday away to Northampton Town.
Looking back on Tuesday night’s game, it was everything Pete Wild could’ve wanted from his side. The game began and there were half chances for both sides, and it wasn’t so dissimilar to previous games at Holker Street this season. It wasn’t until the 29thTh minute when Dom Telford scored the goal to put the Bluebirds one nil up, and it eventually proved to be the winning goal as Barrow held on to secure a deserved victory.
That win made it Barrow’s fourth clean sheet in a row, with Wild’s side now undefeated in their last six league games.
Going into tomorrow’s game, Barrow faces League One side Northampton Town in the First Round of the FA Cup. Irrespective of Northampton’s league status, Wild’s men will be more than hoping to have a successful cup run this season, and knocking out a team from the division above would be a great way to continue their recent form.
Team news
Tuesday night’s game saw a few changes to the team that played last Saturday. However, most of these were tactical and not due to injury.
On another positive note, Courtney Duffus and Mazeed continued their return to fitness after coming on as late substitutes on Tuesday night.
The opposition.
Northampton Town currently occupies 20Th spot in League One, which is equivalent to 12Th places above Barrow in the football pyramid. They are currently on a winless run of five games, which goes back to the third of October, when they last won a game.
In the league so far this season, Northampton have played 15 times, losing nine, winning four, and drawing two. This accumulates to 14 points meaning they are joint on points with Carlisle United, who currently sit in the relegation places.
Taking a look at the opposition, there are plenty of players who could hurt Barrow and cause a threat in the game. The main man to watch out for is Northampton Town’s top scorer and winger, Sam Hoskins. He is currently on eight goals after 15 games and is already looking a strong part of the side. He also scored a brace in their most recent positive fixture against Leyton Orient.
Head-to-Head
Barrow last played Northampton, in the 2022/2023 season, in which both fixtures ended in Northampton victories.
Barrow’s game against them at home ended 2-0 to Northampton, with Shaun McWilliams and Ben Fox the scorers. In the away fixture against the Cobblers, the game ended in a 3-1 loss. This time Sam Hoskins, Tyler Magloire, and Kieran Bowie scored the goals for the home side, however, it was Josh Gordon who scored for Barrow.
The last time Barrow beat Northampton at Sixfields was in February 2022 when Aaron Amadi-Holloway scored the only goal of the game as Mark Cooper’s Barrow side secured an important three points.
FA Cup History
Given this game week sees the two sides meet in the FA Cup, let’s take a look into Barrow’s history with the tournament.
It wasn’t until the last few seasons that Barrow didn’t have to feature in any qualifying games to play in the official rounds of the cup following a 48-year stint away from the Football League. Last time out in the FA Cup Barrow played against Mansfield Town, who they lost 1-0 thanks to an Oli Hawkins goal.
As for the season before last, in 2021/22 season Barrow reached the third round of the competition where in the end they were knocked out by Barnsley, having battered non-league side Banbury United 4-0 in the First Round, and then were drawn against Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Second Round.
The Barrow players did themselves and the town proud that day when they drew 0-0 at Portman Road meaning we’d secured a replay against the former Premier League Side. And the replay was simply magical as the Bluebirds ran out 2-0 winners including a wonder strike from current midfield maestro Robbie Gotts.
In the Third Round, the Bluebirds again did themselves proud having only lost to Barnsley in extra time.
Referees
The referee for tomorrow’s match is Paul Howard. He has refereed the Bluebirds on three occasions, with the most memorable game being the 2-0 win over Forest Green Rovers back in 2021. While the most recent Barrow game he was in charge of was last season’s goalless draw against Swindon Town.
Joining him tomorrow will be Anthony Da Costa, Richard Wigglesworth, and Oliver Mackey.
Ticket Pricing
– Adults £18
-Seniors (65+) £15
-Under 21s £15
-Under 18s £8
-Under 14 (must be accompanied by an adult or senior) £5
-Under 7s free.
Disabled supporters will pay the relevant age category with a free Personal Assistant ticket, where required, by the regular club policy.
Please note that tickets are available to be purchased on the day.
