Any win over Barrow is always celebrated, be it first team or reserves, but this success was very much a hollow victory as Reds scored all their goals against a seven man team.

Five Barrow players, travelling independently by car, suffered a break down between Penrith and Keswick and the kick-off was delayed.  But, when it became obvious the players would be seriously late, Barrow opted to start with seven men.

A ‘no-contest’ of a first half saw Reds register five goals although that tally might have been doubled but for goalkeeper Neil Poselthwaite who pulled off no fewer than five cracking saves.

For the record, Dan Gullen opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute, Barry Armfield headed the second soon after then Gullen bagged his second.  Sam Smith made it 4-0 and another Armfield header completed the nap hand before half-time.  

Barrow kicked off the second half still with just seven men on the pitch but the cavalry arrived soon after and a proper game got underway.

Reds immediately became nervous and a spell, of bad passing, poor discipline and bad decision making enabled full strength Barrow to dominate for long periods of the second half.  Their enterprise was rewarded when Olly Clarke reduced the arrears with a fine finish and  then Steve Thompson saw another effort rattle the crossbar.

Reds could not get a grip on the game but they weathered the Barrow storm then saw the game out comfortably towards the end.

A bizarre situation and one which neither side will forget in a hurry.

A word of praise for the gallant Barrow seven who did themselves proud playing for damage limitation during the opening forty-five minutes.

Reserves: Lee Jolly, Martin Rossi, Sam Smith, George Close (Dion Barnes), Dan McDermott, Lee McCullough, Dan Gullen, Simon Bragg, Callum Killick (Levi Johnson), Barry Armfield (Richard Bannister) Jake Smith.