On this day – 8 April
A look through the archives to see what was happening to Reds on 8 April in previous years……..
In terms of impressive victories, how about an 8-0 win on the 8th? That was the story back in 1939 when Reds crushed Throckley Welfare by eight clear goals at Lonsdale Park.
Billy Boyd scored four goals that day to take his seasonal tally, in the league, past the 40 mark.
It was one of four wins obtained on this particular day during our time in the North Eastern League but we never had much joy in seven Football League matches.
The exception was a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace in 1961. It took a spot kick to decide the match with Jackie Hinchliffe converting from twelve yards to register our first win Borough Park against Palace, who would eventually finish as runners-up in the Fourth Division.
Reds finished a commendable 8th, Carlisle 19th and Barrow languished in 22nd spot.
There was an added attraction to our 1977 visit to Southport when the celebrity of the day – racehorse Red Rum – was paraded around the Haig Avenue pitch prior to kick-off. The horse (pictured) was loudly cheered as it trotted around the perimeter having recently completed a third Grand National success at Aintree.
It would be unfair to say that we had to watch twenty two donkeys in action in the mediocre ninety minutes which followed but, other than Chris Kisby’s stunning goal in a 1-1 draw, I remember more about the pre-match entertainment than the game between the League’s two bottom teams!
A Tuesday night match at Macclesfield Town in 1987 concluded a busy few days for Reds. They had played at Oswestry on the Saturday, Matlock twenty four hours later and were back on the M6 for a third away day in four days for the game at Moss Rose.
They scored three quick goals to establish a 3-2 interval lead only to concede in the ninetieth minute and suffer a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat. Kevin Rowntree, Gari’s dad, scored twice that night with Billy Gilmour also on target.
Reds scored three goals in another away game in 1995 but emerged 3-1 winners from their relegation clash at Goole Town. Geoff Young (pictured) and the ever reliable Martin Henderson (2) shared the goals to secure three vital points.
We have experienced contrasting fortunes in more recent times.
Altrincham scored four first half goals at Borough Park in a midweek match six years ago and eventually ran out 6-1 winners, as our relegation from Skrill North gathered unwanted momentum. Godwin Abadaki’s consolation goal for Reds came after many supporters in the sparse crowd had left for home.
But there was some cheer in the Leicestershire sunshine in 2017 as Workington’s travelling supporters were treated to a 2-0 victory at Barwell. First half goals from Rob Wilson, via the penalty spot, and Jack Ryan made the long journey worthwhile.
