Match Preview | Barrow AFC v Wanderers

Match Preview

Wanderers launch their Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group D campaign with a trip north to take on the League Two Bluebirds.

The 2023 winners will be looking to start out with a victory to go into the international break with a positive result under their belts.

Wanderers have got out of the group stage for the last three seasons and beat Barrow on the way to Wembley two seasons ago.

Barrow have made it into the knock-out phase just once since Wanderers' boss Ian Evatt led them back into the EFL in 2020.

Fleetwood Town entertain Aston Villa U21s in the other group opener tonight. 

Manager Quotes

Ian Evatt: "It’s not ideal timing in terms of the players we don’t have available to us and the fact we have to play a certain number of first-team players to abide by the rules.

“We can’t just play the kids, although there are likely to be a number involved in the squad which could mean opportunities for them.

“That means we have had to try and balance game-time over this run of three games going into the international break to protect some players for the league fixtures we have coming up and the longer-term. 

“That’s been challenging but this is still a good opportunity for some players to get some more valuable game-time to further sharpen them up and for us to go out and put in a performance and get a positive result.

“It’s a game we want to win and we need to react and respond in the right way to start a re-set and then make sure we’re all focused on the run of games we’ve got to come after the break.”

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Ian Evatt Exeter

Barrow manager Stephen Clemence:

“I think it’s an opportunity to give some people some game time, that need it. We won’t change everybody, but we’ll still put a team out that I believe is strong enough to go out and get a result at home, and that’s what we will try to do.

“I’m sure some of the boys are really keen to play. Being a footballer that’s what you want to do. You don’t want to train all the time, you want to get out there on the pitch and be involved on a Saturday or a Tuesday and some of the boys will get the opportunity to do that.

“Obviously, every game I go into I want to win and as soon as I get in that technical area I’ll do my best to help the boys to get the right result.”

Team News

Wanderers are without five players due to international duty and missing several others through injury.

Dion Charles, Eoin Toal, Luke Southwood, Josh Sheehan and Chris Forino are all away with their countries.

Klaidi Lolos, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Will Forrester, Gethin Jones and Randell Williams are all still sidelined.

Unavailability and competition rules regarding team strength may therefore force manager Ian Evatt's hand on the changes he can make. 

The hosts are also likely to make a number of changes and will be without defender Rory Feely and winger Connor Mahoney.

Mahoney has a thigh strain and Feely has a slight knock. Other absentees may included Mazeed Ogungbo, Chris Stokes and Sam Barnes, who are all close to returning for the Bluebirds but may not be in time for Tuesday's tie.

Form Guide

Following a bright start to the campaign, Wanderers have stuttered in recent weeks with defeats to Charlton Athletic and Exeter City coming either side of victory away at Shrewsbury Town in the Carabao Cup - a win that sees the Whites travel to Arsenal in Round Three. 

The Whites will look to use the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as a competition to give out vital minutes to players, whilst trying to regain momentum ahead of the visit of Huddersfield Town at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on the 14th September. 

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Jordi Osei-Tutu Exeter

Barrow sit third in League Two after winning five of their six games including a 1-0 win over Harrogate Town away from home last time out.

They too are in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup where they have been rewarded with a trip to Stamford Bridge following penalty success over Derby County in the previous round.

Kick-off and competition rules

Tuesday 3rd September, 7:45pm.

Each win in the group is worth three points and if the scores are level after 90 minutes, both sides will earn one point with a penalty shoot-out to decide a bonus point.

The top two sides in the group go through to the knock-out phase.

Colours

For the first time this season Wanderers will play in their away, green kit.

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Ricardo Santos Port Vale

Referee

Thomas Parsons

Wanderers TV

This game will be streamed LIVE on Wanderers TV for international-based supporters.

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The game will also be available on Sky Sports +

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