BARROW 2, CARLISLE 0

BARROW finally got back to winning ways as they progressed in the Papa John’s Trophy in a derby marred by a rogue firework which threatened to cancel the game.

Josh Kay and Sam Foley grabbed second-half goals as the Bluebirds booked their spot in the knockout phases of the competition at the expense of local rivals Carlisle United.

Paul Simpson’s Cumbrians finished the game with ten men after Taylor Charters late sending off.

The game was delayed by 17 minutes just after kick off after a firework was flung onto the pitch.

Wild named a fairly strong side for the derby in a sign of intent of the game’s importance in the context of their recent poor run of form.

Five players; captain Niall Canavan, Tyrell Warren, Harrison Neal, Kay and Billy Waters were retained after Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Rochdale – a frustrating fifth successive defeat in all competitions.

The officials took the players off until they could ensure their safety after a firework was thrown onto the pitch.

The device landed in the Carlisle penalty area and then exploded. Thankfully United shot-stopper Michael Kelly was unscathed during the incident.

The home end had to be cleared, with fans asked to move to a different part of the ground, after the incident with fans warned that any further issues would cause the game to be abandoned.

Once the game finally got back underway the Bluebirds were the first to show.

Waters’ effort deflected into the path of David Moyo, who was through on goal, but Kelly produced a fine save with his leg to keep the game goalless.

The hosts continued to threaten and it was that man Waters again who was frustrated by a Carlisle defender.

But it was the north Cumbrians who came closest to taking the lead before the break.

Defender Warren was in the right place at the perfect time to clear Corey Whelan’s goal-bound effort off the line.

Shortly after the restart, Mojo was once again frustrated by Kelly as the keeper was out quickly to keep him out.

Down the other end, Jordan Gibson went close to giving the visitors the lead as his effort went just wide.

After his heroics to keep it goalless, Warren nodded just wide of the mark on the hour mark.

Playmaker Kay rattled the bar as Barrow continued to push hard with Waters and Mojo both failing to convert the rebound.

Jordan Stevens slapshot was kept out by Kelly but the pressure finally told.
Kay went on a brilliant run and slotted into the bottom corner after cutting inside with 20 minutes to go.

And Foley put the tie to bed ten minutes from time after George Ray headed Kay’s corner into his path.

Charters saw red right at the end for a two-footed challenge. 

MATCH FACTS
Barrow: Lillis, Canavan, Kenlock, Ray, Warren, Neal (Foley 71), White, Stevens (Whitfield 81), Kay, Moyo (Smales-Braithwaite 90), Waters. Not used: Moloney, Gordon, Zuk. 
Goals: Kay 70, Foley 81. 
Booked: Neal. 
United: Kelly, Feeney, Whelan (Mellish 46), Idehen (Guy 71), Ellis, Charters, Harris, Moxon (Armer 71), Gibson, Stretton (Edmondson 34), Bollado. Not used: Holy, Carr, Nugent. 
Booked: Charters. 

Ref: Seb Stockbridge. 
Crowd: 2,281 (171 United fans)