Report

Red Rockets V Barrow FC 17th March 2008
After the Rockets successful promotion season came to an end, it was time to compete in this years cup and a tricky draw against Barrow FC. Numerous changes had to be made due to the lack of personnel and injuries forcing the managers hand. Marek Huddleston came in as goalkeeper as regular stopper, Jon Hammond had a long standing shoulder injury. The back line consisted of Kris Houghton, Mike Exley and Paul Howson, with Lee Porter pushing into midfield alongside Josh Allington, with Brian Moore again leading the line. Unfortunately there was no one available on the bench. Barrow FC lined up in their trademark blue kit, with abundant options available to them on the bench.
The game started with Barrow FC kicking off and it was clear that their players had plenty of experience and a good touch. However, good pressing from the Rockets midfield saw the match squeezed up into Barrow FC's half. The Rockets were having the majority of possession, but creating little. Brian Moore and Josh Allington were running the Barrow FC's defence ragged, but there was very little space for either of them to get a shot away.
Eventually, the Rockets realised that the way to get behind the Barrow defence was to use width. A good run from midfield from Lee Porter, supported by Mike "Ankles" Exley, provided the Rockets with their first attempt at goal. A rasping shot forced the Barrow FC keeper into a good save, pushing the ball wide for a corner. Exley delivered a fierce inswinging corner into the box, causing havoc in the Barrow FC defence, but eventually the ball was forced up field. The pressure from the Rockets continued to build and eventually the pressure told. Brian Moore broke well down the wing releasing Lee Porter in midfield. After a quick return pass from Porter, Moore managed to get his shot away and it somehow found its way past the Barrow FC keeper, 1-0 Rockets.
Barrow kicked off with more determination and passed the ball through the midfield quickly and accurately. The Barrow FC number 7 was particularly dangerous. Not the biggest of players, but his low centre of gravity and his fleet of foot was causing the Rockets defence problems. Barrow were passing the ball well and it wasn't long before they got a shot away at goal, only for Huddleston to push the ball wide for a corner. As the corner was delivered into the box, Barrow pushed up a number of their "big boned" defenders. The extra weight was causing the Rockets problems and as the ball was partially cleared from the area, a Barrow FC player hit a sceptical shot towards goal that eluded the Rockets defence and crept in the bottom corner of the goal.
The goal invigorated the Barrow team and after a couple of tactical substitutions they were getting the better of the Rockets midfield. Failure to keep hold of the ball was costing the Rockets dear as Barrow pressed further and further into the Rockets half. Good work from the defence and some last ditch blocking from Exley, Howson and Houghton meant that shots on target were rare for the Barrow side. The more the blues pushed forward, the more susceptible they became to the counter attack. Good runs from Allington, Porter and Moore saw a host of chances being saved and striking the frame of the Barrow FC goal. As tiredness set into the Rockets legs however, Barrow created one chance before half time that allowed them to take control of the game. Good work from the tricky number 7 saw the blues set up a strike at goal that forced a corner. The corner was drilled in and met the head of a Barrow defender into the Rockets goal. The reds were ending the first half behind.
The second half followed a similar pattern as the first, with the Rockets having the vast majority of the ball. Again Moore and Allington were causing the Barrow team problems with good runs and excellent support from Porter and Exley. A host of chances went begging before the blues once again broke quickly down the pitch to score once more, leaving the Rockets with a lot to do at 3-1 down.
Unfortunately, despite a heroic effort, not for the first time this season; the lack of options again limited what the Rockets manager could do. Despite pushing hard for another goal, the Rockets could not break down the stubborn Barrow FC defence and the match ended 3-1, the Rockets would not be making a trip to Wembley this year!
Ratings: Marek Huddleston (6), Kris Houghton (8), Mike Exley (7), Paul Howson (7), Lee Porter (7), Josh Allington (7), Brian Moore (7)
Rocket of the match: Kris Houghton