After an enforced absence over the past ten days Simon Weaver and his Town side are back in action this weekend with Barrow the visitors to The EnviroVent Stadium.
Our last outing was of course the thrilling 3-2 opening day win at home to Rochdale and despite the frustration of not being in action over the past couple of weeks Weaver will be hoping to take the momentum from the three points earned from the opening day into Saturday's clash.
Our opponents
Barrow come into the game having posted a draw and a victory in the past two games following an opening day loss and currently sit 10th in the table on four points under new manager Mark Cooper.
Since arriving at the club, Cooper has overseen a number of changes on the playing side, bringing in Paul Farman and Offrande Zanzala from near-neighbours Carlisle United, Josh Gordon from Walsall and Festus Arthur on loan from Hull City.
Barrow did, however, lose last season's top scorer Scott Quigley in the off-season with the 15-goal man re-uniting with former teammate John Rooney at National League side Stockport County. Goalkeeper Joel Dixon also departed for Bolton Wanderers.
Last season
Following both sides promotions from the National League at the end of the 2019/20 season, we had the upper hand in our debut season in the EFL. Solitary goals from Jack Muldoon in both encounters were enough to see Town do the double over the men from Holker Street.
Although Barrow were in the lower reaches of League Two for the majority of last season they ended the season in strong form to pull themselves comfortably clear of the relegation spots with caretaker manager Rob Kelly, in his second spell in charge, guiding the Bluebirds to safety.
The man in charge
Cooper was appointed as Barrow manager this summer after leaving Forest Green at the end of the 2020/21 season after five years at the club. As well as managing a host of non-league clubs Cooper also had a spell in charge at Notts County.
During his playing career Cooper made over 450 appearances, most notably for Exeter City and Tamworth.
Ones to watch
New signings Gordon and Zanzala have impressed early, both notching in the 3-2 win at home against Hartlepool.
Defensive midfielder Oliver Banks has also shone in the early stages of the season so far whilst Mark Ellis has proved to be a key part of the Bluebirds defence following his arrival from Tranmere Rovers.
Tickets
Tickets for the fixture are on sale now online through the below link, and are available from our Commercial Street Store.
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History
Having been a member of the Football League for half a century Barrow failed to earn re-election following the 1971/72 season, spending the years in between in the top two levels of non-league football before promotion at the end of the 2019/20 season.
During this time, the club lifted the FA Trophy in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only side to win the trophy at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.
The 2020/21 season was their first back in the Football League for 50 years and after avoiding securing safety last season Cooper and the Bluebirds will be looking to kick on this season and establish themselves as an EFL outfit.
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