Barrow 2-1 Stevenage Borough (aet) - Walker denies Stevenage the double

Saturday 08th May 2010

BARROW 2-1 STEVENAGE BOROUGH

(after extra time)

FA Carlsberg Trophy Final

Saturday 8th May 2010

Stephen McCartney reports from the big posh comfortable seats at Wembley Stadium

BARROW pulled off a major shock as they denied Stevenage Borough the non-league double at Wembley Stadium today.

Holders Stevenage Borough took an early lead through former Sittingbourne and Gravesend & Northfleet midfielder Andy Drury, before they were reduced to ten-men when Chris Beardsley took the walk of shame for an ugly challenge on Andy Bond.

Barrow, who finished their Blue Square Premier campaign in 15th place, didn’t take the imitative of their man advantage, until substitute Lee McEvilley headed home a 79th minute equaliser.

Barrow were reduced to ten-men themselves when central midfielder Robin Hulbert was shown a straight red card for elbowing Charlie Griffin at the end of normal time, and Stevenage had to play the entire extra time period with just nine-men as the substitute was stretchered off following the sickening challenge.

Stevenage were forced to replace Chris Day for substitute goalkeeper Ashley Bayes, but he couldn’t prevent Jason Walker netting the winner as Barrow clinched the FA Carlsberg Trophy for the second time in their history.

Stevenage, who had won the competition in 2007 and last season, with wins over Kidderminster Harriers and York City, grabbed a tenth minute lead, with their first shot on target, through Drury.

The right-sided midfielder picked the ball up on the edge of the Barrow penalty area and unleashed a stunning left-footed curler past the stranded Stuart Tomlinson to find the top left-hand corner from twenty-yards.

Stevenage were reduced to ten-men after 28 minutes when referee Mr Lee Probert swiftly held up a straight red card after Bridges went in with studs showing on Bond, who required treatment, as tempers flared.

Expecting the Cumbrians to exploit Stevenage, they looked nervous and kept giving the ball away, although Simon Wiles impressed down the right-flank, before being substituted for Carlos Logan, who was equally as good, if not better.

Stevenage rued a gilt-edged chance to double their lead, five minutes before the end of a cagey first half.

Odubade’s diagonal pass released Drury down the right and his cross was punched down by Tomlinson and the ball fell invitingly for Beardsley, who hooked a volley over the bar.

Barrow’s best chance to equalise arrived after 67 minutes when Logan’s squared pass found Bond, but his right-footed drilled shot flashed past the post.

Another Stevenage chance arrived when Drury floated in a free-kick for Jon Ashton to send his towering header into the side netting.

Barrow’s first shot on target finally arrived in the 77th minute when the impressive Logan drilled a shot from just outside the box into Day’s arms.

Barrow snatched the equaliser just two minutes later - with only their second attempt on target.

The impressive Paul Rutherford delivered a right-footed cross from just outside the penalty area and substitute McEvilly powered his header across Day and into the far corner as he punished sloppy Stevenage defending as he was left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

Rutherford, who was awarded the Man-of-the-Match award, almost snatched victory, but his low angled drive from inside the penalty box was turned aside by Day at his near post.

But Day was forced off through injury and Stevenage’s chances of retaining the Trophy disappeared after Griffin was stretchered off after lengthy treatment on the pitch following Hulbert’s sickening elbow.

Lone Stevenage striker Odubade had a glorious chance to retain the silverware inside the first period of extra time, but his right-footed drive crashed into the side-netting after the former Oxford United striker was released down the right.

But Barrow clinched the win inside the first two minutes of the second period.

Logan and Rutherford combined down the left and Walker’s right-footed drive flew across the stranded Bayes as the ball flew into the corner of the net.

This goal lifted the Barrow supporters in a disappointing crowd of 21,223 - Ebbsfleet United’s 1-0 win over Torquay United two years ago attracted 40,186 fans and produced a more electrifying atmosphere than today’s encounter.

Tomlinson’s alertness prevented the game going into the lottery of a penalty shoot-out as he dived full length to his right to prevent Stevenage Borough.

Drury’s cross was met by Lawrie Wilson’s glancing header and the ball bounced off Barrow defender Paul Jones and the skipper was relieved to see his goalkeeper stretch to his right to clutch the ball right on his goal-line.

With Stevenage pushing bodies forward, Barrow squandered two good chances late on.

Logan cut the ball back for McEvilly, who slid the ball agonisingly past the foot of the far post - and Bond was played in behind the Stevenage defence but his placed shot was gathered by Bayes.

The final whistle brought celebratory scenes as Stevenage’s fans headed sheepishly towards the exits and Jones climbed the 107 steps to the Royal Box to hold the FA Carlsberg Trophy aloft in front off their proud following.

Barrow: Stuart Tomlinson, Simon Spender, Paul Edwards, Paul Jones, Phil Bolland, Simon Wiles (Carlos Logan 64), Robin Hulbert, Andy Bond, Jason Walker, Greg Blundell (Lee McEvilly 73), Paul Rutherford (Mark Boyd 110).

Subs: Tim Deasy, Mike Pearson.

Goals: Lee McEvilly 79, Jason Walker 107

Booked: Paul Edwards 81

Sent off: Robin Hulbert 90

Stevenage Borough: Chris Day (Ashley Bayes 90), Scott Laird, Jon Ashton, Yemi Odubade, Joel Byrom (Lawrie Wilson 59), Mark Roberts, David Bridges, Chris Beardsley (Charlie Griffin 66), Andy Drury, Michael Bostwick, Ronny Henry.

Subs: Stacy Long, Peter Vincenti.

Goal: Andy Drury 10

Sent off: Chris Beardsley 28

Attendance: 21, 223

Referee: Mr Lee Probert

Assistants: Mr Stephen Child & Mr David Coote

Fourth Official: Mr James Linnington