Football: Barrow 1 - 1 Salford City
Two unusual goals ensured Barrow and Salford played out a 1-1 draw
Where does leave Salford's chanced of qualifying for the play-offs?
Tyler Smith scrambled the Bluebirds into a 37th-minute lead from Ben Whitfield's cross with his fourth goal of the season.
Salford claimed the striker's effort had not crossed the line or that the ball had been knocked out of keeper Matty Young's grasp.
Barrow provided a greater attacking threat in the second half, with Dean Campbell and Whitfield flashing shots over the crossbar.
The former Barrow loanee Cole Stockton was denied his 14th goal of the campaign after 60 minutes by Wyll Stanway's third crucial save of the night. Smith should then have doubled Barrow's lead only to be denied by Young.
This did prove to be something of a turning point as Salford grabbed a deserved leveller after 69 minutes. Attempting to punch clear from under his crossbar, Stanway only helped the ball into his own net. Opposite number Young then protected the point with a late save to deny Elliot Newby.
A closer look at what happened
Despite a delayed arrival due to a road traffic accident, the visitors started with real intent and carved out a chance within two minutes. Kelly Nmai pounced on a loose pass from Whitfield, surged forward, and exchanged a one-two with Matthew Lund to break into the box, forcing a sharp near-post save from Stanway.
Salford continued in the same vein throughout the first half, pressing high and unsettling Barrow’s rhythm. In midfield, Tyrese Fornah was imposing himself, showcasing his strength in the 11th minute as he held off three challenges before threading a ball through to Hakeeb Adelakun. The forward, however, had mistimed his run and was caught offside.
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The visitors maintained the pressure, albeit without too many clear-cut chances, until the half-hour mark. Lund’s cross from the left found Nmai at the back post, and his shot from the edge of the area was blocked. The rebound fell kindly for Fornah, but his effort too was smothered by a Barrow defender. Moments later, Haji Mnoga drove forward with intent down the right, only to be halted by a combination of Robbie Gotts and Kyle Cameron, winning a free-kick. Garbutt’s initial strike was repelled by the wall, and Liam Shephard’s follow-up sailed over the bar.
Mnoga had a chance of his own in the 35th minute after being picked out by Cole Stockton, but he flashed his shot wide of the far post. Then, somewhat inevitably, the hosts struck first—albeit with a large slice of fortune. Gotts lofted a ball over the top to Whitfield, who found himself in acres of space on the right. His cross was met in the middle by Smith, whose touch forced Matthew Young into a reflex save. The Sunderland loanee appeared to have gathered the ball on the line, but after a brief pause, the referee awarded the goal, prompting Barrow celebrations.
Salford responded immediately, pushing forward from the restart, with Lund firing over from the edge of the area. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Adelakun let fly with a low shot that Stanway parried, and Stockton was quick to react, but the Barrow keeper bravely smothered the danger at his feet.
Barrow came out strong after the break, with Smith blasting a shot over before Whitfield rattled a free-kick just inches too high. But Salford dug in, regaining their pressing intensity. Just before the hour, Whitfield’s attempted back pass was blocked by Fornah, sending Stockton through on goal, but Stanway was quick off his line to block the effort. Barrow countered from the resulting corner, but Ben Jackson’s ambitious effort soared well over the stadium perimeter.
Smith had another opportunity to double his tally in the 66th minute, but Young produced an outstanding save to deny him. That stop proved crucial as, moments later, Salford found their equaliser.
It was far from a thing of beauty, but it was deserved. Nmai won a corner after some determined work, and Garbutt’s delivery was whipped dangerously towards the near post. Stanway came to punch but misjudged it, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net.
The game became scrappier as both sides tightened up, and clear chances were scarce. Ten minutes from time, Adelakun delivered a teasing cross from the left that Stockton was inches away from converting. Then, in the 90th minute, space opened up for Elliot Newby, who cut inside and curled an effort towards the far post, only for Young to palm it away.
There was still time for late drama. In stoppage time, Curtis Tilt’s defensive header conceded a corner, which found Niall Canavan at the back post. His header looked destined for the net, but Shephard was perfectly positioned to clear off the line, ensuring the spoils were shared in a hard-fought contest.
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