Ellistown And Ibstock Utd v Barrow Town

A great game ended with both teams taking a point in a 2-2 draw. For Ellistown, this may be the point that keeps us in the Division for next season.

Similar to the Arnold game, we started with a compact eleven who soaked up pressure and were content to hit Barrow on the break.

With the 1st half played in driving rain, it was hard to play football on the ground but that never stopped both sides from trying.

With the Village idiots having one eye on the Ashby Ivanhoe game v Arnold, tension was mounting towards end of the first half as Arnold took the lead to make the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS25
18.AT P31 PTS25

As we needed to match Arnold's result, we had to score and on 42 mins we did through Lewis Dunkley who scored with a free header from 10 yards.

EIBS 1-0 BT

At the same time Ashby equalised at Arnold to make the league table

17.EIBS P32 PTS27
18.AT P31 PTS23

There was no further action in the remaining 3 minutes and the Ref blew to make the half-time score.

EIBS 1-0 BT

2nd half started in driving rain with both teams going for the win.

The village idiots were celebrating on 49 mins when Ashby took the lead at Arnold that they never surrendered to make the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS27
18.AT P31 PTS22

We knew that provided we did not lose then we were close to safety with 4 games to go.

As the minutes ticked down, tension grew as Barrow pushed forward and we were camped in our own half.

On 65 minutes, the pressure telled as Barrow equalised when Jordan Lever scored a screamer from 25 yards.

EIBS 1-1 BT

This left the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS25
18.AT P31 PTS22

Things got worse on 2 minutes later when Barrow took the lead through Joseph French who scored from inside the box.

EIBS 1-2 BT 67 Mins

This left the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS24
18.AT P31 PTS22

We had 25 minutes to get back into the game and roared on by the crowd, Ellistown dusted themselves down and went for it.

The game went end to end and great goalkeeping from Marc Radforth kept us in it, while our approach play was beginning to tire the Barrow defence.

Then on 73 minutes, it happened, the goal that should keep us in the division.

A mix up in the Barrow defence saw a mis-directed back pass go pass the goalkeeper and trickle towards the net.

Could Ross McGarry get to the ball before the defender and score, the crowd held its breath, the village idiots held hands and prayed,

Yes was the answer, as Ross got to the ball a fraction before the defender and scored.

EIBS 2-2 BT

This left the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS25
18.AT P31 PTS22

Now we had deservedly got back into the game, it was key we never lost it and we had chances to wrap it up but so did Barrow.

It was a frantic last 15 minutes with goal line clearances, last ditch tackles and great attacking play.

How both sides never scored will remain a mystery but they didn't and the ref blew for the final whistle with the score.

EIBS 2-2 BT

This left the league table.

17.EIBS P32 PTS25
18.AT P31 PTS22

Summary

A fantastic game that neither side deserved to lose saw us pick up a valuable point.

Credit to all the players who in difficult conditions put their bodies on the line for the club.

This draw leaves us on 25 points from 32 games and 3 points and +12 goal difference better off than Arnold Town who have to play the next 4 games away from home.

We are 3 points behind Holwell Sports with a game in hand and -1 goal difference to make up.

We play again on Tuesday away to Stapenhill in good shape and looking for another away win.