Chester City 0-4 Barrow

This FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round replay was a chance to catch some early Cup action, and pay a visit to a local club in dire straits.

Without getting bogged down in too much detail, Chester City FC have just a few weeks to pay their football creditors before the Football Conference (Blue Square Premier) decide on their future in the league. In other words, the club could have just weeks to live.

A home Cup replay against divisional rivals Barrow, with the prospect of another home tie in the 1st Round proper against lower non-league opposition in less than a fortnight, seemed a great opportunity for them to bank the money to keep the club going.

Unfortunately, but perhaps understandable to an extent, the Chester turn-out was poor, the tiny Deva Stadium (a cheap, predominantly breezeblock construction on an out of town trading estate) was filled with less than 1,000 home fans.

The most populated part of the ground was where the Barrow fans were housed and, to their credit, where most of the atmosphere and noise were created.

The experienced Jimmy Harvey is the latest man to take on the Chester job of overcoming their 25-points deduction in the league and give them a fighting chance of staying in the BSP.

The visitors, Barrow, had made an inconsistent start to their second season back in non-league’s top-flight. However with some canny loan signings from managerial due Dave Bayliss & Darren Sheridan recently, the Bluebirds had put together an unbeaten run with an impressive string of results.

It was Barrow who started the game the brighter. Attacking City from the off they laid siege to Chester’s goal in the opening stages and kept most of the possession for the first half hour. They just couldn’t fashion an obvious chance though, before Chester grew into the game at the end of the half and tested Barrow goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

The second-half began with some good end-to-end football worthy of a Cup tie both teams had a great chance of winning. As it panned out Barrow had the greater belief and determination.

With just under 20 minutes to go the referee finally awarded Barrow a free-kick in the Chester penalty area for the third clear back-pass picked up by their goalkeeper John Danby.

Despite a wall of Chester players covering the near post to the free-kick, Barrow midfielder Andy Bond impossibly squeezed the ball through to break the deadlock and put the Cumbrian side 1-0 up.

Everything then fell apart for Chester. Two minutes later the trickery and pace of Malvin Kamara saw him tripped in the box by Kevin Roberts and a penalty awarded to Barrow. Jason Walker stepped up to send Danby the wrong way and put Barrow 2-0 up.

Two minutes later again Kamara wreaked havoc wide on the right and crossed for Bond to send a looped header into the back of the net and make it 3-0.

Barrow were in full control while confidence-shattered Chester chased shadows. One of the three late substitutions made by the away side late on made it 4-0. Teenage striker Andy Cook, on loan from Carlisle United, raced clear of the Chester defence and kept a cool head to side-foot the ball past Danby when in on goal.

A demoralising drubbing which does little for Chester or a clearly fuming Jim Harvey, but which didn’t flatter Barrow too much. The Bluebirds march on to face a home tie with Eastleigh in the FA Cup 1st Round.

Man of the Match: Darren Sheridan. At 5 foot 6 ins and 41 years-old, Barrow’s co-manager ran the game. Winning nearly every header and every tackle in midfield he put to shame players 20 years his junior in the Chester midfield. On a night when his team didn’t put a foot wrong he stood put, particularly late on when exhausted, he won the ball and sent Cook away for the 4th goal. With Dave Bayliss directing things on the touchline, and Sheridan directing play on the pitch, Barrow had the edge most of the night and deserved to progress.

Update

The blog has been quiet of late as I have taken up the position of Media Officer at ambitious Cymru Alliance club Buckley Town. It's an exciting time to join the club as they push for a Domestic Licence to eventually gain promotion to the Welsh Premier. This means that I will be at as many of their games as possible with match reports on their excellent website at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/.

I still intend to visit other clubs in the area when time allows and will continue to write features and comment.

I have also made a contribution to issue 137 of Welsh Football Magazine, an independent publication which should be available in early November - see www.welsh-football.net/

Tranmere Rovers sack John Barnes

The most inevitable managerial sacking of the season will be a cause of glee for the 'I told you so' merchants who enjoy pointing out the obvious. The departure of John Barnes and Jason McAteer from Tranmere Rovers is not cause for a full bore celebration though, even by Rovers fans who wanted them gone at least 6 weeks ago - only around 6 weeks into their brief reign.

It heaps further embarrassment on an otherwise well-run club up to recent months, following the appearance of the club for sale on ebay and the bizarre sacking of one of the Football League's most-respected managers - Ronnie Moore. The two huge errors of judgement have done little to improve owner Peter Johnson's credibility.

The club lie in the lower reaches of 'League 1' with a threadbare squad and few funds to strengthen or change. With Barnes & McAteer no doubt receiving a severance package their successor is going to have to work with what’s already there. It really could be touch or go whether Rovers stay up this season.

There are little shoots for optimism though. Rovers have a number of promising youngsters to work with, the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Ash Taylor, Charlie Barnett and Ryan Fraughan. The experience and goals of Ian Thomas-Moore, and leadership qualities of Ian Goodison will also give the new man something to build on.

Though John Barnes’ reputation will not be tarnished in the eyes of Liverpool fans, two fairly high-profile managerial stints lasting less than a year in Britain, make him damaged goods to prospective employers. Unless he’s willing to drop a long-way down the non-league pyramid and start again he’s unlikely to get a chance elsewhere.

With just 3 league and cup wins all season and poor performances to match that underwhelming statistic, its hard to argue his case for staying much longer, however much the football purists hoped it would turn around to spite the doubters.

Barnes is an idealist who wanted to see his teams play football in the right way, and there are too few of those in the lower leagues at present. It’s a shame as for lack of an experienced assistant and a bit of money to spend things may have worked out differently at Prenton Park.

Buckley Town 1-1 Llanfair PG

Last week it was an executive box at Wrexham FC, this week it was the home of Wrexham’s reserve team at local Cymru Alliance side Buckley Town. Their Globe Way Ground is an impressive set-up worthy of the Welsh Premier status that Buckley hope to eventually attain.

In previous years the club have had to forfeit promotion from the regional league to the national division due to ground grading requirements, but that should not be a problem in future.

Globe Way hosts an impressive clubhouse, plenty of covered seating and standing areas and most importantly an excellent playing surface. As a bonus the ground has the landscape of Etna Park woods as a backdrop.

Currently the team assembled by recently-appointed manager Gareth Thomas isn’t quite a match for their surroundings. After an indifferent start they lie in mid-table with promotion to next season’s Welsh Premier ‘Super 12’ beyond them unless they hit form soon.

Visiting Llanfair PG (full name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch) from near Bangor hadn’t made the best of starts either, hovering near the foot of the table and seemingly there for the taking.

The game began scrappily without either side settling down or managing to create an opening. The home side looked the livelier without really testing Llanfair goalkeeper Ben Heald.

It wasn’t until the stroke of half-time when Liam Caddick drilled the ball home from inside the area that Buckley broke the deadlock. Taking the lead at the break should have been the catalyst for them to impose their dominance and wrap up the win in the second-half.

The visitors continued to work hard in the second period though, denying the likes of Eric Ramsey the time and space in the Buckley midfield. As the clock ticked on they crept further forward and sensed opportunities.

At the other end Wes Brereton did go close for Buckley after some excellent solo work and Caddick nearly added to his goal with a fierce shot that struck the outside of a post. Buckley weren’t lacking for chances.

With around quarter of an hour to go, Llanfair snatched a deserved leveller in much the same style as Buckley’s goal.

The equaliser triggered an end-to-end game with both sides believing they could win it, both desperate to take all 3 points. Llanfair had more of the possession whereas Buckley appeared to lack a telling final ball and ideas in the final third.

Ultimately though the home side defended well, marshalled by big No.5 Paul Connelly, and ensured they held onto the draw. However they might well be kicking themselves that they didn’t win it when they had the chance – and allowed the away side back into the game.

Neither team will be totally happy with the stalemate given their positions in the table, but Llanfair will see it as a point won from a tough away game. Buckley will see it as another two dropped.

It looks as if it could be another season before this still to gel Buckley side gain the Welsh Premier status their ground and excellent facilities merit.


Man of the Match: Paul Connelly. The tall centre-half was vocal and imposing throughout. He won most things in the air at the back, kept the back-line organised and provided a threat at set-pieces at the other end.

Wrexham 0-1 Oxford United

Unsure whether to attend this fixture at first, the free tickets I’d won for one of the executive boxes at the Racecourse Ground, courtesy of the Wrexham Supporters Trust, made up my mind.

Just as tempting as the corporate hospitality on offer was the prospect of seeing unbeaten league leaders Oxford United along with Wrexham one of the bigger names currently in non-league football.

Having sampled the free buffet and armed with a free programme I took my seat in front of the box for an excellent view of the action. The conditions were perfect – sunny, not too warm, the pitch looked in great shape and ideal for two sides looking to pass the ball.

As expected the game developed into an even contest with both sides trying to get the measure of each other. Chances were at a premium and Wrexham seemed to be getting the upper hand until the visitors won a corner with half an hour gone.

The ball was swung towards the prolific James Constable who, unmarked, headed home easily to give Oxford the advantage.

Content with their lead the away side were not looking to threaten as much up to half-time, and Wrexham could only really create half-chances. This resulted in a more mundane game than many were anticipating.

The second-half began in a similar vein and though Wrexham had more possession it was Oxford who had the more clear-cut opportunities. On more than a couple of occasions young Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Maxwell was called on to make outstanding close-range saves to deny the U’s.

With just over 10 minutes remaining Wrexham were reduced to 10 men by a referee beginning to lose his grip on the game.

Veteran ex-Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair was dismissed seemingly for his reaction to a challenge on one of his team-mates. His initial reluctance to leave the field and the scrap between other players stoked the home crowd’s anger further as the atmosphere heated up.

Wrexham manager Dean Saunders was also dismissed from the dug-out for his protests as things began to turn very sour.

It had barely calmed down when amid a flurry of bookings Oxford’s Steve Kinniburgh received his second yellow card, thus earning a red one for another foul on Curtis Obeng. They too, finished the game a man short.

The match descended into farce with tactical changes and the sending off depriving Wrexham of any centre-backs, and Oxford just hitting hopeful balls downfield. Despite 6 minutes of time added on neither side were able to fashion a goal and Oxford held on for the win.

On the evidence of this performance despite their indifferent form Wrexham don’t look too far behind Oxford in terms of quality. The difference was target-man James Constable. He offered movement up front, a threat in front of goal and the physical ability to hold the ball and outmuscle the Wrexham defence.

There’s little doubt that Oxford are worthy promotion contenders under the canny Chris Wilder. It’s up to Wrexham to match their consistency week in week out.


Man of the Match: Chris Maxwell. Followed up a terrific performance in goal for Wales Under-21’s against Italy last week with a faultless display for Wrexham today. Kept the Dragons in the game. For Oxford, James Constable and his goal was the main difference between the two teams.

Airbus UK 3-1 Haverfordwest County

An overcast afternoon spent in the shadow of the giant Airbus factory in Broughton, near Chester, provided the backdrop for my for my first taste of Welsh Premier action of this season.

The hosts Airbus UK are a well-run friendly club based within the grounds of the plane-making factory and runway. The Airfield is a welcoming little ground with a social club on one side and a covered, seated stand on the other.

The ‘Wingmakers’ aren’t big-hitters in Wales’s top flight but have held their own since promotion 5 years ago. Managed by former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace midfielder Craig Harrison, notable amongst their ranks are the Welsh Premier’s all-time top goalscorer Marc Lloyd-Williams and ex-Wrexham goalkeeper Kristian Rogers.

The away side Haverfordwest had made a better start to the season under ex-Man.U defender Derek Brazil and are a solid Welsh Premier outfit.

The game began at a good tempo and as with a lot of part-time non-league football was end to end with plenty of committed challenges. Gradually the home side were on top and took the lead shortly before half-time.

The visitors’ otherwise excellent goalkeeper Lee Idzi spilled the ball when collecting it in an aerial challenge, only to see it fall to Carl Owen. The tall No.9 did the hard work in creating the angle to slot home.

Haverfordwest came out after the break visibly fired up and were back on terms almost immediately. A fierce Robbie Walters shot cannoned off the underside of the bar beating Rogers and landing just over the goal-line for the equaliser.

Airbus were still the better side though and regained the lead through Marc Lloyd-Williams. Controlling the ball on his chest in the area he found the space to turn and lash home one of his trademark goals to make it 2-1.

Lloyd-Williams then turned provider to wrap up the points sending over a cross for hard-working midfielder Matty Cook to volley the 3rd goal. Haverfordwest couldn’t complain, they were second best for much of the afternoon and created fewer chances.

It was the first win of the season for Airbus. With the top-flight restructuring next season meaning fewer teams involved, they stand as good a chance as any of making up the ‘Super 12’. Like most sides in the division they draw regular crowds of just a few hundred people but their facilities and on-field play could make the difference.

Haverfordwest should be in with a shout of making the cut too, but will have to improve their performances on this showing.


Man of the Match: Marc Lloyd-Williams. Still leading the league’s goalscoring charts at the age of 36, the veteran striker continues to show why he had spells in the Football League and is one of the most-feared strikers domestically. Diminutive and hard-working, he showed his class by scoring his 5th of the season and creating the assist for Cook’s goal.

Wrexham 0-0 Barrow

With surprisingly little Bank Holiday football on offer it was back to the Racecourse Ground for more non-league Blue Square Premier action.

Following two more surprise defeats to against Kettering and Tamworth recently, the pressure on Wrexham manager Dean Saunders had increased slightly.

As for the visitors, I must admit I have a soft spot for the Cumbrian club. Their joint-manager ex-Wrexham centre-back Dave Bayliss gave me one of my early interviews when I started out in journalism a couple of years ago.

Forthright, knowledgeable about the game and an all round top bloke, since taking over with Darren Sheridan less than 2 years ago their transformation of Barrow’s fortunes has been remarkable.

Barrow’s right-back, Simon Spender along with centre-half Phil Bolland made up a trio of former Wrexham players in the Bluebirds squad. After stepping up to full-time training during the summer though, like Wrexham, they have made a mixed start.

The away side set their stall out early on to contain and frustrate the Dragons and it worked. Wes Baynes, a right-wing-back pushed into a new forward role, he looked likeliest to break Barrow’s resolve with his creativity and willingness to shoot, testing goalkeeper Tim Deasy.

It wasn’t all defensive work for Barrow and when pushing forward Spender fired a long-range shot that sailed just over the top corner. Overall though there were few chances with Wrexham content to keep possession along their back-line and play in front of the Barrow back four when they ventured forward.

Following possibly the worst comedian / half-time entertainment ever seen at the Racecourse, the game unfolded in much the same way as the first-half. Both sides did have one golden opportunity to break the deadlock however.

Barrow’s highly-rated forward Jason Walker turned Wrexham skipper Ashley Westwood and fired a shot across the front of goal narrowly wide. At the other end roles reversed as Westwood’s powerful header from a corner was headed off the line by Walker.

The game’s talking point occurred with 15 minutes to go when attention was drawn to a touchline row. Dave Bayliss had stormed out of his technical area to confront Westwood who appeared in an ‘off-the-ball’ incident to have left Barrow striker Jon Shaw with a bloodied face and shirt.

No action was taken against Westwood while Bayliss was escorted down the tunnel after trying the patience of the officials with his angry protests. In the end he didn’t miss much.

Despite changes made by Saunders Barrow did a professional job of holding onto their point. They were arguably the better side in the last 10 minutes and had they shown a little more ambition, could have stolen a win.

Barrow earned the result and clean sheet they came for and should improve again on last season.

Wrexham must see this as another 2 points dropped even at this early stage. Though teams above them will drop points, they currently don’t look capable of putting together a sustained run themselves yet and still struggle against the so called lesser teams of this division.


Man of the Match: Wes Baynes. Difficult to choose, but Baynes has adapted well to his new role and came closer than anyone to making something happen for Wrexham. It’s hard to pick out an individual for Barrow as their point came as a result of a real team performance.