Match Preview: Barrow

30 September 2022

Following on from a dramatic win last weekend against Walsall, Rovers’ attention now turns to a clash with Barrow at Prenton Park.

It falls after the 1-0 win on the road last time out as Elliott Nevitt swept the ball home from close range to win the game for Rovers in the 96^th minute and allowed Micky Mellon’s side to leave the Bescot Stadium with all three points.

The win boosted Rovers up to within five points of the play-offs ahead of facing fourth-placed Barrow who’ve enjoyed an excellent start to the season.

Pete Wild’s side won five out of their first six league games and will be looking to bounce back from their previous result which ended in a 2-0 defeat at home to league leaders Leyton orient whilst the Bluebirds were reduced to ten men late on.

But with 21 points from a possible 30, it’s been a fantastic start for Wild’s men and they’ll look to continue that at Prenton Park.

Team news:

Tom Davies is back on the grass as he steps up his his return to fitness. Joel Mumbongo, Charlie Jolley and Jon Nolan are all still sidelined.

Lee O'Connor is available for selection once again after international duty.

One to Watch: Josh Gordon

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Gordon came through the ranks of his hometown club Stoke City and was there for nine years before eventually being released aged 16. He then spent two years at Newcastle united before moving into non-league.

After some successful spells with non-league clubs, he earnt a move to the reigning Premier League Champions at the time, Leicester City. But after failing to ever break into the Foxes’ first team, he made a move to Walsall where he really set down his roots.

He made over 100 appearances for the Saddlers, scoring his first professional goal in an EFL Cup tie with Macclesfield in August 2018.

But after not signing a new contract, he made a move to Barrow in the summer of 2021 and continues to play for the Bluebirds. This campaign, he’s scored seven goals in ten starts and has made an impressive start to the season.

With the third most goals in the division so far, he’s been key to Barrow’s early success and will be of high importance to their season’s aspirations if they are to continue this form into the business end of the campaign.

Manager: Pete Wild

A lifetime fan of Oldham Athletic, Pete Wild had his first managerial experience with Oldham, firstly and secondly in a caretaker capacity before taking over for a period in 2019.

The spell as manager ended after nine games with a win percentage of 44% and he moved onto Halifax Town that summer where he managed over 100 games in Yorkshire.

Wild spent two seasons at Halifax, achieving a 6^th and 10^th placed finish respectively before decided to leave to ‘pursue a new opportunity’ before being announced Barrow manager the following day.

Being his first season back in charge in the football league, Wild couldn’t have got off to a much better start with the Bluebirds who have enjoyed a very successful first quarter of the season and will look to continue their momentum when they travel to the Wirral on Saturday afternoon.

Match Coverage:

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You can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

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Match reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Barrow

1 October 2022

Tranmere claimed a third win in a row in Sky Bet League two as Micky Mellon’s side claimed a 1-0 victory over early play-off challengers Barrow on Saturday afternoon.

A strike from Josh Hawkes proved to be the difference as Rovers built on two back-to-back away wins with three points at Prenton Park.

It was a cagey affair for the first 20 minutes with neither side able to create any real chances throughout the opening exchanges.

But the first goal did finally arrive mid-way through the first half as Hawkes received the ball out wide from Kieron Morris and struck a low-driven shot across the face of goal into the bottom corner to give Rovers the opener.

Hawkes had another chance ten minutes later after more good work from Morris provided Hawkes with an opening from outside the area, but his effort was eventually gathered by Farman.

Barrow finally had their first test for Ross Doohan in the Rovers goal as Ben Whitfield had an effort late in the half but it was a simple claim for the Tranmere ‘keeper.

With Rovers heading into the interval with a slender lead, there was still work to be done to ensure they concluded the afternoon with three points, coming up against a side well within the play-off places before kick-off.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks as they won a corner in the opening 25 seconds which saw George Ray have a great opportunity but his header landed over the bar.

But despite the early chance, Rovers continued the momentum with Elliott Nevitt who had a close range effort saved by the Barrow keeper before Nevitt had another strike from 25 yards which cannoned off the bottom of the post.

With less than 15 minutes to go, Nevitt made it a hat-trick of chances after his effort lacked any real connection which was followed by a corner which was met by Dynel Simeu who’s diving header was saved by Farman.

But despite a number of second-half chances, Rovers settled for the narrow victory and boosted themselves to within four points of the play-off places.

Attendance: 6,123