U21s: Barrow 3-0 Aston Villa

A youthful Aston Villa Under-21s side fell to a 3-0 defeat away at Barrow in their final Bristol Street Motors Trophy Northern Group D fixture on Tuesday evening. 

A full-strength Barrow outfit got the better of Josep Gombau’s team at the SO Legal Stadium, with Villa now awaiting the result of the other game in the group between Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town to discover whether or not they have qualified for the knockout stages. 

The Young Lions – whose team was made up mainly of under-18s, with a number of under-21 regulars on international duty – battled admirably at Holker Street, trailing at half-time only to an audacious long-range lob from Dom Telford. 

But the Bluebirds grew stronger after the break, with further goals from Theo Vassell and Andy Dallas sealing the points for Stephen Clemence’s side. 

Despite Gombau’s youngsters enjoying possession in the opening exchanges, it was the hosts who took the lead just two minutes in, as Telford spotted Sam Proctor off his line a few yards inside Villa’s half, lobbing the goalkeeper with a speculative but brilliant effort.

And five minutes later, Telford had a great chance to make it two. The 2021/22 League Two golden boot winner pounced on hesitation from Ethan Amundsen-Day and again looked to dink the ball over Proctor, but his shot this time bounced inches wide.

By this point, Barrow were well on top and applying pressure on the Young Lions in search of their second goal. Proctor had to be alert to beat away another fierce drive from the lively Telford, before Katia Kouyate planted a header wide.

The hosts kept coming, and after Proctor had punched the game’s first corner clear, Kouyate nodded the loose ball back goalwards with a looping header, with a retreating Amundsen-Day clearing off the line.

The Villans seemed to grow in confidence as half-time approached, but the break seemed to provide an opportunity for Barrow to regroup, and they began the second period with a renewed vigour.

After Connor Mahoney’s effort whistled wide, a vital block from Kerr Smith sent Charlie Kirk’s shot around the post, before Andy Cannon’s header from the resulting corner rattled the woodwork.

And midway through the second half, Barrow’s pressure told, as they doubled their advantage. Mahoney swung a threatening corner into the area which Theo Vassell crashed into the six-yard area to volley home. 

The Young Lions responded, almost finding an instant reply to bring them back within one, but for a superb double save from goalkeeper Paul Farman who showed fantastic reflexes to deny substitute Charlie Lutz. 

But the hosts remained strong in the attacking phase, and added a third with a little over a quarter of an hour remaining. Robbie Gotts’ free-kick was met by the head of Dallas, with Proctor equal to his effort, but the Villa goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent the Barrow substitute from being first to react and bury the rebound from point-blank range. 

Villa kept battling as the game reached its conclusion, fighting to get on the scoresheet deep into the six minutes of added time, but left Cumbria empty-handed as they awaited confirmation of their fate in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. 

Villa: Proctor (Lewis 83), Rowe, Amundsen-Day, Smith (Katsukunya 62), Patterson, Alcock, Simpson (Mulley 46), Pavey (Lutz 62), Jimoh-Aloba, Taylor (Jenner 78), Moore (Fortes 78). Subs (not used): Burgess. 

Barrow: Farman, Feely, Vassell, Canavan, Tiensia, Gotts, Campbell (Weston 74), Mahoney (Eccleston 74), Kirk, Kouyate, Telford (Dallas 46). Subs (not used): Stanway, Newby, Stokes, Jackson.