As we reach the climax of the season with hopes of promotion, so the importance of each game mounts until we are secure in Play-off territory.
Maybe that could happen before the last game, but it surely won’t happen until then at the earliest.
We surmounted Crawley, and Barrow at home look less formidable with a record markedly inferior to ours over the last two and a half months, but they had a good March with their manager getting the monthly award.
We could focus on their Away record and deduce that they should not be the best on other club’s grounds, but a nearly full Eco-Power stadium will not be their typical working environment. Whilst their record in such matches is not great, the larger hostile audience can generate a bit of extra stimulus and they did beat Crewe in front of nearly 8000, only lost 0-1 to both Mansfield and Stockport and drew with Notts County. However, more recently similar encounters have not proved as successful unless you count the draw at Crawley when the attendance was only 3500.
We would anticipate a dominant display from Rovers who have a good fit squad to choose from now, but we cannot discount the opposition and luck which has not gone badly against us recently is always a factor.
It would be useful to run up a big score in case we are reliant on Goal Difference in the final reckoning.
So I’ll be bold and say 4-0 (Adelukan/Molyneux).
Incidentally I have to apologise for another accuracy by stating the Col U were now safe after Tuesday’s win. They could be after this weekend - but they do face Notts County away, so in a sense perhaps we should hope they don’t win since it will take them into Tuesday’s match with great confidence! The other favourable option in this cause would be for Sutton to lose and thereby eliminate their chances of overtaking Colchester, but then I realised Sutton were playing (away) at Crawley, so a Sutton win would be much more preferable.
DPL v Barrow
posted on 18/4/24
3 wins would definitely see us in the playoffs but we need at least 2 wins and a draw. It's a tough ask but confidence is sky high. Can't see a big score against Barrow and I've a sneaky feeling it might be one of those days where we miss a lot of chances and Barrow scrape a draw. But I'll go 3-1 Ironside ,Craig.
posted on 20/4/24
As the barrow manager said "All runs come to an end", but it will not be tomorrow (I'm more worried by the "banana skin" called Colchester!). I'll go for 3-1 to the Rovers. It is time more goals come from mid-field, and so Biggins if he starts, or Olowu. If neither starts , Molyneux.
posted on 20/4/24
Again, keeping the faith. 2-1 to Rovers. Adelakun with the first or if not playing, Ironside.
posted on 20/4/24
That was a massive demonstration of character, the first time we’ve really had to “fight back” and we did it! It was probably more of a confidence boost than a comfortable win.
posted on 20/4/24
Talk about leaving it late! We were somewhat poor in the first half, but if Ironside had put that chance away at about one minute, it may well have been different - it was a good save, and I can think of goalkeepers that would not have stopped it. Adelakun had about the worst half I've seen him play, maybe depressed that he was just beaten to the ball by Barrow's 'keeper just after the Ironside chance. He was very good in the second half, although he did miss a chance where I thought he would score.
At 2-1 I was still somewhat nervous as many decisions by officials seemed a little dubious, and I hate teams where players over-act any contact, and Barrow were outrageous at times. Then the somewhat surprising changes made by Grant seemed to ignite some spark and the crowd really got behind the team, but still near misses seemed to be the call of the day.
Then it was WOW! and only spoiled by the pitch invasion - I'm sure we will be fined.
We are going to our neighbour's 70th birthday party this evening but I'll have something better to celebrate as well!
posted on 21/4/24
Great subs from GM. Most of the other results went out way too. Tuesday will be a big day as Bradford have slim hopes of reaching the playoffs and play Barrow. Colchester all but certain of staying up due to their goal difference. Nevertheless it's a banana skin. We can but hope.
posted on 21/4/24
Rovers 4 (ironside) : Barrow 2
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F >>> O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>> 104 >>>>>> 107
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>> 145 >>>>> 148
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>> 130 >>>> 133
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>> 77 >>>>>> 77
Nookie>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>> 104 >>>> 111
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
>>>>>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>> 12 >>>> 0 >>>> 16 >>> 560 >>>> 576