AFC Barrow 0-1 Stevenage: Jake Reeves fires home to ensure Boro end memorable promotion season on a high as rookie keeper Adam Przybek shines in torrential Cumbrian rain

By The Editor 8th May 2023

Local Sport

League Two: AFC Barrow 0-1 Stevenage

Jake Reeves fires home to ensure Boro end memorable promotion season on a high as rookie keeper Adam Przybek shines in torrential Cumbrian rain

The weather in deepest Cumbria May have been wet and grey, but there was plenty of joy among the visiting continent of 425 who made the long trip from North Herts.

With Steve Evans side understandably spending the week savouring their hard-earned - and fully deserved - promotion to League One after sealing their elevation on a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon at the Lamex last Saturday, you could have been forgiven for thinking the final clash of the 2022-23 season would be a damp squib in front of an official attendance of 4,034 at evocative Holker Street.

The reality was different, despite the seven changes Evans made prior to kick-off as Boro attempted to combat the home side, buoyed by boss Pete Wild's canny stewardship under chairman Paul Hornby, saw the Bluebirds aim to consolidate a highly-reputable ninth place finish.

The Cumbrians tested Stevenage early on through Robbie Gotts' drive on 16 minutes which flew narrowly over Adam Przybek's bar. The 23-year-old former West Brom youth was making his first start in professional football for Boro and can be proud of his efforts.

At the other end, Barrow boasted former Stevenage keeper Paul Farman. The highly-respected 33-year-old provided two seasons of worthy performances between the sticks at Broadhall Way. Which made it doubly heartening to learn the Tyneside-born shotstopper had recently been awarded Barrow's Players' Player of the Season, not to mention a whole host of supporters' accolades to underpin his continued excellence, not to mention being a true credit to the profession.

However, former Newcastle academy graduate Farman was beaten in the 25 minute when Jake Reeves fired home to put Stevenage 1-0 ahead. As the clock ticked down the shotstopper was booked for a clash with Jake Forster-Caskey, with the latter also finding his way into referee Andrew Kitchen's book.

As the clock ticked down in the second half amid torrential rain, Przybek showed his worth with a double save from Ged Garner. First with an excellent close range block, prior to an acrobatic effort to deny Garner's overhead kick in a crowded box.

As if to underline his quality, Przybek then saved from Josh Kay to keep Barrow out in the teeming rain to seal a hard-fought victory to consolidate runners-up spot and end a memorable season on a high.

Despite the rain, no wonder the Barrow PA played The Levellers 'Beautiful Day' to bring down the curtain on a never-to-be-forgotten season for Stevenage.