Aldershot Town v Barrow AFC Match Preview – Saturday 24th November 2018
Following Tuesday evening’s penalty shoot-out exit from the FA Cup at Bradford City, The Shots return to National League action on Saturday, with a home game at The EBB Stadium against Barrow AFC.
Shots Squad:
The full extent of Scott Rendell’s injury (sustained at Salford) is yet to be determined, but he’ll definitely be out of action for a while, joining Karleigh Osborne and James Rowe on the sidelines. Shots boss Gary Waddock should be able to call upon the services of Portsmouth loanee Adam May, who was not permitted to play in the FA Cup.
Opposition:
Name: Barrow AFC
Founded: 1901
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Manager: Ian Evatt
Stadium: Holker Street
Final position last season: 20th
Current National League position: 17th
Potted History:
Barrow AFC, also known as The Bluebirds, were formed in 1901. They play their home games at Holker Street. The club spent over fifty years in the football league between 1921 and 1972, achieving promotion to Division 3 by finishing 3rd in the Fourth Division in the 1966–67 season. The highest league period in the club’s history was to be short-lived and a return to Division 4 came after relegation in 1969–70 season. At the end of the 1971–72 season, after an unsuccessful bid for re-election, Barrow were voted out of the Football League, to be replaced by Hereford United. Barrow have since spent their time in the top two levels of non-league football, having been promoted five times to the Conference, most recently as Conference North champions in 2014-15. They have twice won non-league football’s most prestigious cup competition, the FA Trophy – in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only club to have won the Trophy at both old and new Wembley Stadium.
The Gaffer:
37-year-old Ian Evatt took the reins at Barrow in the close season, following the departure of Adrian Pennock. Evatt, a central defender in his playing days, made more than 500 career appearances, 204 of them for Blackpool. He is still in his first year as a Manager, having been appointed Caretaker-Manager of Chesterfield in April. He was unable to prevent their inevitable relegation from the Football League.
Key players:
Following the club’s announcement in the summer that the playing budget would be significantly reduced, manager Pennock moved on as did the vast majority of the playing staff. Only four players remained at the club; Keeper Joel Dixon, Left Back Dan Jones, Defender Jack Barthram and Striker Nathan Waterston. Key departees included Moussa Diarra, Asa Hall, Byron Harrison and Grant Holt. Key signings this season include Jack Hindle (7 goals since joining from Colwyn Bay) and John Rooney (Guiseley). Young Striker Tyler Smith has also joined on a half season loan from Sheffield United and is the club’s top scorer with 8 goals to date.
Referee:
Saturday’s referee is Savvas Yianni. He has refereed 4 National League matches this season, showing 8 yellow cards and 1 red card to date. He has not taken charge of any Aldershot matches this season, or last.
Commentary:
There will be live BBC Surrey Sport commentary of Saturday’s game, with Rob Worrall and a special guest, from 2:50pm. To interact with the commentary team, tweet @RobShot66.
