Barrow

After the disappoinment of Wrexham at home, the faithful congregated at Twerton Park yet again for Citys third game in a week. After the optimism of the Mansfield result, the stripes were brought crashing down to earth against Wrexham and there was hope that there would be a reaction against Barrow.

City started with Jamie Cook, the new forward signing, partnering Lee Phillips which most people were happy about given the minimal chances created against Wrexham in the 451 formation. City started brightly enough with the Barrow keeper making a sharp save to deny Phillips.

However, after the opening 15 minutes City began to run out of ideas and the game dragged to half time. After the break the same game continued, lots of long balls and very little else. Then from a cross from the left (yet again) Barrow scored.

City then changed things around and the legend that is Jim Rollo came on to a rousing reception, however, Jim coming on meant Mark Preece was pushed from centre back to centre forward, leading to a increase in the ineffective long ball. However, City did manage to get the ball down occasionally and from one of these spells Alex Russell burst into the box (possibly controlled the ball with his hand!) and was felled by the defender, penalty to City.

There was a mumour when it appeared the Lee Phillips was to take the penalty, as for all his running and hold up play, Lee lacks a certain finese and Scott Murray and Lewis Hogg were the names banded around for penalty taking duties, however, TP took a deep breath as Phillips ran up, and hammered the ball in the middle of the goal and the Barrow keeper parried the ball away....the frustration was palatable, and at the moment you sensed the game was lost. It was, and for the second time in 5 days we left Twerton disconsolette.

Main points from the game the lack of width in the starting XI, and Jamie Cook's continuing lack of effectiveness and even more damning lack of effort, however with a game on Tuesday and Saturday we can but hope for a turn around and two wins. UTC!