Darlo v Barrow Preview
by Chris Mackenzie - 17th October 2011
Quakers will be hoping to claim their 3rd Conference Premier victory in a row when Barrow visit the Northern Echo Arena this Tuesday night. Darlo could well name an unchanged line up for the third game in succession unless experienced centre half Graham Lee is passed fit to play after missing out at the weekend after failing a late fitness test.
If Lee is deemed fit enough to take to the field Saturday’s match winner Jonatan Sanchez-Munoz is likely to be left out of Darlington’s starting line up as the sides other central defender Exodus Geohaghon has been mightily impressive since his recent move to the Northern Echo Arena.
Young midfielder John McReady could also be pushing for a return to the starting line up as the youngster has impressed when he has appeared in the first team of late. If McReady is included in the first eleven Huddersfield loanee Chris Atkinson would appear to be the player who would drop out to make way for McReady.
Possible Darlo X1
Soderburg
G.Taylor Lee Geohaghon K.Taylor
Rundle Atkinson Chandler Brown
Hatch Walshaw
Subs
Russell, Sanchez-Munoz, Bridge-Wilkinson, McReady, Bowman
Barrow are currently 12th in the Blue Square Premier, a point and a place ahead of Quakers. The side from Cumbria have had a mixed time of it away from their Holker Street home so far this campaign as the Bluebirds have only won 2 and drawn 1 of their 8 away games.
Barrow’s have won 2 out of their last 4 games however it has to be noted that the 2 losses have both been heavy defeats away from home at Luton (5-1) and Grimsby (5-2) which could indicate that Tuesday evenings game may well be a high scoring contest as Darlo have also been involved in a few free flowing open games recently.
There are currently 2 players with Darlington connections in the Bluebirds squad as Barrow currently have Darlo centre half Adam Quinn on a loan while former Quakers schemer Robin Hulbert is also with the Cumbrian side. Hulbert spent the 2008/9 season at the Arena making 27 appearances and netting 2 goals before moving to the north west.
The Bluebirds have 2 in form strikers in their squad as both Adam Boyes and Andy Cook have been banging in the goals for the side jointly managed by Darren Sheridan and David Bayliss. Boyes only signed for Barrow in the summer however the 20 year old front man has hit the ground running as he has hit bagged 10 goals in his first 16 appearances for his new side. Darlington’s defence will also have to keep a close eye on Boyes strike partner Andy Cook as he netted a hatrick in Barrow’s last competitive game and has 6 goals to his name this term.
I feel Darlo may well have to settle for a point from this encounter despite Quakers recent up turn in form. Barrow seem to have an abundance of attacking talent in their squad and with Darlo struggling for numbers at the back I feel the Bluebirds will be able to claim a positive result on their trip to County Durham.