Stevenage miss out on double

Stevenage went to Wembley looking for a double but came home battered, bruised and beaten. Underdogs Barrow came out on top after a lively encounter which ended, after extra time, with just 19 players on the pitch.

Barrow started well and controlled possession, but it was the Heroic Blue Square Premier Champions who scored first, when Andy Drury curled one into the top corner after ten minutes. The next major talking point (if, like the officials, we ignore Bolland`s stamp on Yemi that could have seen Barrow reduced to ten men) was a red card for Stevenage`s David Bridges, penailsed for a late, studs-up(ish) challenge on some no mark Barrow player (no bitterness here!). Boro fans were unhappy with referee Probert though having seen the replay the decision was a fair one.

Stevenage played well at one nil, even with ten men and in the second half could`ve extended their lead, first through a penalty shout from Yemi then later when Ashton headed into the side netting. In the 79th minute, just moment`s after Ashton`s miss, Barrow substitute McEvilly paced a header beyond Chris Day to equalise, and from then on Barrow were in control. As the game reached it`s final moments, Boro keeper Day had to be replaced by Bayes, the third Stevenage substitution of the match. This became significant in injury time when Barrow`s Hulbert smashed Charlie Griffin in the face with an elbow, earning himself a red card (to briefly even the numbers up again) but leaving Griffin to go off on a stretcher and Stevenage with just 9 men.

Extra time was dominated by Barrow who scored early in the second period of it & celebrated wildly at full time. Congratulations to them. Vital Stevenage wishes the Griff a speedy recovery & looks forward to our next competitive fixture; our first ever in the Football League.