The opposition

Recently-relegated Barrow are back in the Enterprise National League after winning the title in 2019/20. They narrowly survived relegation on two occasions, finishing 21st in 2021 and 22nd in 2022. However, two more seasons followed where they surged up the table and found themselves with two top-ten finishes. After finishing mid-table in 24/25, they were rooted to the bottom of the Football League at the end of last season and their fate was sealed.

World Mental Health Day

Saturday’s fixture against Barrow AFC will be dedicated to World Mental Health Day, where we will be hosting a number of charities and organisations to raise awareness and help ‘Start the conversation.’

On World Mental Health Day, we want to remind people that it’s okay to not be okay, it’s okay to check in with each other and it’s okay to start & listen to conversations surrounding your mental health.

There will be a lot of things happening on this weekend’s matchday surrounding Mental Health and we encourage everyone to come down, get involved and help better people’s lives. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say ‘I’m not okay.’ A conversation can change a life. Start one.

Who’s in the dugout?

Adam Murray took charge of the Bluebirds in the spring after they were relegated from the EFL. Murray has managed a number of clubs at the top few levels of non-league as well as in League Two with Mansfield Town. More recently, he has managed AFC Fylde, Eastbourne Borough and Kidderminster Harriers.

Ones to watch

Rekeem Harper is the top scorer for Barrow, netting four times in ten appearances so far this season.

Keaton Ward has contributed to three goals this season so far.

The season so far

9 | Barrow | P12 W5 D3 L4 | GF 20 | GA 15 | GD 5 | PTS 18
18 | Tamworth | P12 W4 D2 L6 | GF 20 | GA 28 | GD -8 | PTS 14

Sat 03 Oct: Barrow 2-1 Wealdstone
Tue 29 Sep: Barrow 3-0 Scunthorpe United
Sat 26 Sep: Southend United 2-4 Barrow
Sat 19 Sep: Barrow 1-0 Aldershot Town
Tue 15 Sep: Barrow 0-1 Solihull Moors

Sat 03 Oct: Hartlepool United 0-1 Tamworth
Wed 30 Sep: Tamworth 2-0 Sutton United
Sat 26 Sep: Aldershot Town 5-1 Tamworth
Sat 19 Sep: Tamworth 2-1 Wealdstone
Tue 15 Sep: Southend United 3-1 Tamworth

Peaks Speaks – Barrow

“We’re going to have to take the blueprint from the last two league games and be nice and organised. Make sure everyone knows their roles and work hard because Barrow have found some form. They’re a big, strong, really mobile and very organised team so for us to get anything out of the game we’re going to definitely have to match that.”

Discussing the campaign around World Mental Health Day, Peaks said: “I think it is really important. As time has gone on the last few years, we all know more and more people that are suffering, and sometimes it can be too late. I think anything we can do to help, give that possibility and that route to speak to people that could get them to do the right thing before things spiral. You never know what’s going on in someone else’s life, really. Obviously, everyone puts a brave face on in front of each other, but deep down, what does happen when they go home, close the door, and they’re in their own four walls? I think the more we can promote it, the fact that there’s people there to speak to, the better it is for everyone.”

Elsewhere this weekend

AFC Fylde v Scunthorpe United
Altrincham v Aldershot Town (12:30)
Boston United v Southend United
Carlisle United v Kidderminster Harriers (12:30)
Forest Green Rovers v Hartlepool United (17:30)
FC Halifax Town v Gateshead
Hornchurch v Eastleigh
Wealdstone v Yeovil Town
Woking v Harrogate Town
Worthing v Solihull Moors