Barrow Coach Clemence Emphasizes Need to Eliminate Late Goals

Barrow head coach Stephen Clemence expressed frustration following his team’s defeat on Saturday, which was sealed by another late goal. The club’s last league victory was recorded on 5 October. Chesterfield’s Jamie Grimes secured the winning goal in the 89th minute, prolonging the Bluebirds’ winless streak to seven matches. This result places them 12th in League Two, yet they remain only three points shy of the play-off positions. Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria, Clemence stated, “We’re conceding all sorts of different goals at the end of games. It’s not good enough.” Throughout the current season, Barrow has allowed eight goals to be scored against them after the 75th minute of matches, a concession that has resulted in a loss of 12 points. Clemence emphasized the need for betterment, stating, “We’ve got to improve.” He further criticized the team’s defensive lapses, adding, “For someone to get a free header in our six-yard box from a late corner without a challenge, it’s not acceptable.” Given the team’s inability to secure a league victory since 5 October, the Barrow boss acknowledged a decline in confidence among the players. He elaborated, “Confidence is affected at the moment.” Clemence continued, “It’s affected at the top end of the pitch, it’s affected at the end of games when we try to defend and hang onto something whether that’s a draw or a win and it’s so, so frustrating.”