1 week Ago
WALSALL 0 FRIENDS reunited Andy Whing and Mat Sadler suffered contrasting emotions as Barrow’s fine recent form continued with a deserved 2-0 win over promotion chasing Walsall. Whing’s Bluebirds deservedly took the spoils with a first-half goal from Aaron Pressley and stoppage time second from substitute Emile Acquah. There could have been more goals for the home side, now with only one defeat in their last nine outings.
But Tommy Simkin kept the visitors in contention with a succession of fine saves, notably in the opening period which Barrow dominated. Victory over best mate Sadler ensured Barrow are unbeaten against the West Midlands outfit in five matches for the first time in the EFL. Walsall remain in the top three despite this latest setback while Barrow are 15th - their fine form coming too late to make a play-off push.
Barrow started brightly. Sam Foley’s goal bound header from Barrow’s opening corner after six minutes was blocked by a team mate. From the second, Jamille Matt headed clear and Ben Jackson took a yellow card for the team as the Saddlers broke from deep.
Mahoney was on course for goal of the month contender after 13 minutes as he cut in from the right before shooting high and wide from eight yards on his favourite left foot. And Barrow gained a deserved lead after 23 minutes. Jackson’s cross from the right was met by Pressley whose initial shot was well saved by Simkin.
Simkin, who spent a loan spell with Whing at Solihull Moors, couldn’t hold the ball and Pressley tapped in unopposed for his fourth goal of the season. Pressley almost doubled the lead three minutes later with a flying header from Jackson’s cross from the right. At this stage Barrow boasted 78 percent possession and nine shots against two in reply.
There was a let-off though as Connor Barrett raced into the area, but no Walsall player could apply a finishing touch. Pressley connected superbly with a Jackson corner, but Simkin kept out the shot with a fine save. All the good work, however, was almost undone in first-half stoppage time.
A needless cross field ball was seized on by the visitors with Ellis Harrison eventually heading harmlessly wide at the far post. Walsall stayed on the attack at the start of the second half without testing Wyll Stanway. And before the introduction of MJ Williams for Isaac Fletcher after 66 minutes, Fletcher nearly made it 2-0.
Fletcher’s last act was to break forward into the area. His left foot effort was on target, but Simkin produced his latest save to keep the score at 1-0. And it was a precarious advantage as Liam Gordon’s right foot shot almost deflected past Stanway.
With 14 minutes remaining, Walsall completed their nap hand of substitutions in an attack or bust approach. Barrow’s second change soon followed with man of the match contender Mahoney replaced by Ben Whitfield. Walsall huffed and puffed, but it was AFC who scored again as Elliot Newby weaved his way forward before assisting for Acquah to score.
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