Norway dismissal was 'a joke' says Barrow

JORDAN Barrow described his sending off in the Wingmakers' 2-1 second leg defeat to Haugesund in Norway as 'a joke'.

Barrow replaced striker Chris Budrys, who suffered a dead-leg, just after half time but lasted just 20 minutes as he picked up two questionable yellow cards.

Spectators from both sides raised doubts about the sending-off and Barrow was understandably 'gutted' by referee Fran Jovic's decision.

Explaining his first caution, Barrow reflected to Tom Norris of the Leader: "The goalkeeper dropped the ball, it started rolling away and I tried to get my foot on it. Their defender has jumped in front and the 'keeper has screamed and the referee showed me the yellow-card for unfair play.

"The ball was there to be won. If it had been against another player it wouldn't have been a foul."

On the second booking and subsequent red, the 20-year-old continued: "It's a joke. He ran right in-front of me as I was running away and jumped on the floor.

"It was another yellow and it is a joke.

"I was gutted. I was telling the referee that I hadn't even touched him, but he just wanted to get me off."

For Barrow, the Croatian referee's decision to send him off overshadowed his European debut.

"I got a shout when I was warming up on the touchline and I was proper raring to go," he said. "I just wanted to get on."

And inside nine minutes Barrow had almost scored what may well have proved to be the goal that saw Airbus reach the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

A fierce drive from the ex-Caernarfon playmaker flashed just wide of the goal.

"Inches," reflected Barrow when asked how close he was to writing his name into the history books. 

"It just needed a little bit of bend on it and it was in."

"It just needed a little bit of bend on it and it was in."

Had that thumping strike nestled in the back of Per Kristian Worre Bratveit's net then that would have further justified manager Andy Preece's decision to bring Barrow on for Budrys.

An eye-catching performance in training the night before the game no doubt helped Barrow force his way into Preece's thoughts.

"I just wanted to give him a decision to make," said Barrow of Wednesday night's session. "He's gone with the experienced ones to start, but hopefully I can make an impact as soon as possible.

"I am happy to say I've been a part of it and been out on the pitch, but I am gutted how it turned out."

Barrow and Airbus have no regrets, just a feeling of disappointment, explaining: "I feel as though we did all we could. We all worked hard and it is disappointing.

"We were top drawer. I thought all of the lads were fantastic and have to be proud of themselves. Hopefully we can get further next year."

Photo: Jordan Barrow goes for goal prior to his dismissal.

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Tuesday 05 August 2014
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Trafford FC v Airbus UK Broughton
Pennybridge Lane, Flixton | Kick-off: 19:30

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Saturday 26 July 2014
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Stockport County 1 Airbus UK Broughton 2
played at Edgeley Park | Att: 455