Three Points in Cumbria

Bacup Borough produced an excellent away performance on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to secure a deserved 3–1 victory over Holker Old Boys at Rakesmoor Lane.

Goals from Kaiden Barlow, Charlie Cowin and Sheikh Sohna completed a superb comeback for Brent Peters’ side on a glorious afternoon in the Cumbrian sunshine.

Peters named the same starting eleven that had beaten Thornton Cleveleys in the Macron Cup, with Borough looking to build on that impressive cup performance.

Borough opted to kick down the slope in the first half and enjoyed plenty of positive possession and attacking play deep inside the Holker half.

Kyle Siddle, Sheikh Sohna and Kaiden Barlow all made positive runs in the final third, causing problems for the home defence, while Aiden Lancaster and James Bartholomew delivered some excellent balls into the box.

Borough went close on several occasions, with the best opportunity falling to Siddle. The Borough forward found himself one-on-one with Holker goalkeeper Ross Liddicott, but the keeper produced an outstanding save, diving low to his left to keep Siddle out.

Despite Borough creating the better opportunities, the sides went into the break level.

The home side made the perfect start to the second half, taking the lead just four minutes after the restart.

A good passage of play down the left opened up space for Holker, with the ball eventually played towards the penalty spot. Nathan Reid arrived at pace and smashed a first-time effort into the roof of the Borough net, giving Billy Blake no chance.

Rather than allowing the setback to affect them, Borough responded positively and continued to play some attractive football as they worked their way up the slope.

Their persistence was rewarded on the hour mark.

Kaiden Barlow picked up possession and showed excellent composure to come inside onto his favoured right foot before striking a powerful, low effort into the bottom-right corner.

It was a superb finish and a deserved equaliser for Borough.

The goal gave Peters’ side the injection they needed, and just six minutes later Borough had turned the game around.

This time it was Charlie Cowin who produced the magic.

The FC United man demonstrated excellent quick feet and vision, creating enough space to spot Liddicott off his line. From the edge of the penalty area, Cowin produced a wonderful finish, delicately chipping the Holker goalkeeper to put Borough 2–1 ahead.

It was a brilliant solo effort and capped an excellent individual performance from Cowin.

With Borough now in control, Peters made his changes. Cowin made way for Connor Morris, while Barlow was replaced by Toby Wright, who was given some much-needed minutes as he continues his return from injury.

Holker were then reduced to ten men when Luke Mitchell received a straight red card for a foul on Wright.

Borough took full advantage of the extra man and put the finishing touch to an excellent afternoon with a third goal.

The move began with some excellent build-up play down the right involving Wright, Morris and Lancaster. The ball eventually found Sheikh Sohna, who remained composed under pressure and produced a superb finish, flicking the ball over the onrushing Liddicott and into the net.

A wonderful way to round off the afternoon.

Borough saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to secure an excellent 3–1 away victory, another strong performance from Brent Peters’ side following last weekend’s Macron Cup success.

It was a thoroughly deserved result after Borough showed character to come from behind, continued to play their football and took their chances when they arrived.

A solid all-round performance from Borough on a glorious afternoon at Rakesmoor Lane in the Cumbrian sunshine.