It doesn’t get much tougher for the Coasters than facing the top two sides in the division in the space of just five days – in both Yeovil and Barrow.
After a 2-2 draw against the Glovers, a Boxing Day trip to Barrow awaits Jim Bentley’s side, in the first of the festive double header.
The squad is in great shape ahead of Thursday’s match with Kurt Willoughby returning from injury on Saturday.
Jordan Williams serves the last game of his suspension, but captain Lewis Montrose could return from illness for the trip.
The Opposition
Name: Barrow
Form: DWWDW
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Ground: Holker Street
League Position: 1st
The Bluebirds have enjoyed a terrific season so far in the National League, and have emerged as the early title contenders.
Despite a somewhat shaky start to the league, Barrow soon corrected this, and charged up the table with a seven game winning run.
In charge of the Bluebirds is manager Ian Evatt. The former Blackpool centre half has guided Barrow to 15 wins and just seven losses this season – losing just one in their last 15 games.
One To Watch
This week’s one to watch is midfielder, John Rooney.
Rooney has been fantastic for Barrow this season, with the midfielder featuring in every National League game, and showing he his eye for goal.
Along the way, he’s chipped in with 11 goals – making him the second top goal scorer for the Bluebirds behind Scott Quigley.
Rooney also enjoyed a terrific September. The Englishman scored seven goals in six games – earning him the National League Player of the Month.
Throughout his career, Rooney has played a lot of non-league football with spells at Chester, Wrexham and most recently, Guiseley.
Head-to-Head
Barrow and the Coasters have met many times in the league– the first being in the Conference North back in 2014/15.
The Coasters have five wins over the Bluebirds, with the other two fixtures ending as draws between the two sides.
This will also be the third time both clubs have met in the Boxing Day and New Years Day fixtures.
Conference North – 2014/15
26/12/14 – AFC Fylde 3-2 Barrow
1/1/15 – Barrow 1-2 AFC Fylde
FA Cup – 2015/16
24/10/15 – AFC Fylde 1-0 Barrow
Vanarama National League – 2017/18
28/8/17 – AFC Fylde 1-0 Barrow
3/4/18 – Barrow 1-3 AFC Fylde
Vanarama National League – 2018/19
26/12/18 – Barrow 1-1 AFC Fylde
1/1/19 – AFC Fylde 0-0 Barrow
Games To Keep An Eye On
As always there are fixtures to look out for as we look to push on up the Vanarama National League.
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Ebbsfleet United (1pm)
Woking Vs Sutton United (1pm)
Dover Athletic Vs Bromley
Notts County Vs Maidenhead United
Yeovil Vs Torquay United
*All 3pm kick-offs unless stated otherwise
Coverage
You can follow the game via Twitter as we provide regular updates, post-match interviews and more.
There will be full match commentary on Coasters Live with your commentary team of Brian Porter and Jack Conner.
The commentary team will bring you pre-match build up, full game commentary and both half-time and full-time reaction.
You can find commentary on mixlr.com/afcfylde
