Barrow welcome Scunthorpe United to Holker Street on Tuesday night, with both sides looking to build on impressive victories at the weekend. The Bluebirds begin the evening 15th with 12 points from ten matches, while Scunthorpe sit 20th on 10 points, leaving just two points between the clubs.
Barrow have found some welcome momentum after an inconsistent opening to the National League campaign. Their last five league matches have produced three wins, one draw and one defeat, with Adam Murray’s side heading into Tuesday on the back of consecutive victories.
The first came at Holker Street against Aldershot Town, when Rekeem Harper’s second-half goal proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory. Barrow also struck the woodwork twice during the closing stages as they looked to extend their advantage, but one goal was enough to end Aldershot’s six-match unbeaten league run.
The Bluebirds followed that result with an even more impressive performance at Southend United on Saturday. After a goalless first half at Roots Hall, Harper opened the scoring in the 52nd minute before Seb Thompson doubled Barrow’s advantage.
Southend reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, but a Darren Oldaker own goal restored Barrow’s two-goal cushion. Leon Chambers-Parillon made it 3-2 in stoppage time to give the hosts renewed hope, only for substitute Dan Mooney to respond two minutes later and complete a 4-2 victory. The result ended Southend’s five-match unbeaten run and gave Barrow consecutive league wins for the first time this season.
Scunthorpe also arrive with renewed confidence after producing a convincing 4-1 home victory over Hartlepool United. The Iron fell behind to Will Harris in the 27th minute but responded almost immediately, with Pat Jones equalising three minutes later.
Andy Butler’s side took control after the interval. Kyle Hurst put Scunthorpe ahead in the 48th minute before James Norwood added a third six minutes later. Substitute Hugh Parker completed the scoring in the 68th minute as the Iron turned an early deficit into an emphatic three-goal victory.
The result ended a run of two successive defeats for Scunthorpe. Their previous five matches have produced two wins and three losses, with an impressive 2-0 victory away at Sutton United followed by defeats against Boreham Wood and Hornchurch before Saturday’s response against Hartlepool.
There is no recent competitive history between the clubs. Barrow spent recent seasons in the EFL before returning to the National League, while Scunthorpe worked their way back to this level following their spell in National League North. The sides have therefore not met during the previous three campaigns.
Barrow begin Tuesday 15th with 12 points from ten National League matches after three wins, three draws and four defeats. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 14 for a goal difference of +1. Scunthorpe sit 20th with 10 points after three wins, one draw and six defeats, scoring 15 and conceding 16.
Tuesday brings together two sides encouraged by their weekend performances. Barrow are chasing a third successive National League victory after taking maximum points from Aldershot and Southend, while Scunthorpe travel to Holker Street looking to build on their four-goal comeback against Hartlepool and begin climbing away from the lower reaches of the table.
