Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley expressed his elation following his team’s thrilling late comeback to defeat Barrow 2-1, emphasising the strong unity within the squad despite the season being only a few games old.
“I’m so thrilled with the lads, the togetherness of this group even after four games, I really feel it,” Rowley said after the match.
The Glovers appeared poised to suffer their first defeat of the campaign when Keaton Ward’s spectacular strike gave Barrow the lead with just 15 minutes remaining. However, Yeovil showed great resilience as Luke McCormick converted a penalty to level the scores, before Joe Gubbins headed home in stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround.
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Barrow dominated much of the first half, creating multiple opportunities, but Yeovil goalkeeper Jos Barker made several vital saves to keep the scoreline even at the interval. Having endured setbacks earlier this season through conceding late goals, the Somerset side reversed their fortunes this time, securing a valuable victory that moves them to sixth place early in the league standings.
“They were very tough opponents tonight, with high energy and pressing,” Rowley acknowledged. “My message to the boys at halftime was to try and find a bit of composure in those scrappy moments.”
The manager singled out several players for their defensive efforts, praising Ben Radcliffe and Jos Barker in particular. “I thought Radders (Ben Radcliffe) was incredible today, and Jos (Barker) in goal was superb,” he commented. “Zain (Westbrook) and Bretty (Brett McGavin) were equally dogged and diligent in their defensive work.”
Yeovil improved after the break and were awarded a penalty after Slavi Spasov was brought down in the area, which McCormick confidently converted for his third goal in two matches. Rowley admitted he had not yet reviewed the incident but joked, “I haven’t seen it, so I’ll have to check that out, but definite pen.”
The dramatic finale saw Gubbins nod home a free-kick delivered by Brett McGavin four minutes into stoppage time, sealing the win. “Brilliant,” Rowley said. “Sometimes the gods are on your side.”
The victory also owed much to Barker, who made a crucial save late in the game to preserve Yeovil’s lead and secure all three points.
“Jos (Barker) is still 22, he was playing two leagues below, and we found him two leagues beneath that,” Rowley explained. “He’s jumped four or five leagues in two years, taken to it like a duck to water, and he’s only going to get better.”
With fixtures coming thick and fast, the manager admitted the players were feeling the physical demands. “The boys are feeling it, they finished on their backs today, they are knackered.”
Yeovil return to Huish Park on Monday to face Tamworth, aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the season and secure a third successive win.