Back-to-back wins give Barnard Castle FC confidence boost

2 Oct 2026

Alan Hood Charity Cup, round one Annfield Plain 0 Barnard Castle 2

What a difference a week makes.

Ahead of away games against Richmond Town and Annfield Plain, Barnard Castle were wondering where the next win was coming from.

But, against two of this season’s form sides, Barney recorded back-to-back victories, beating Town 3-2 in the league last week and Annfield Plain 2-0 in the cup on Saturday.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said manager John Close. “Football can change so quickly and the feeling within the group can change depending on the performance and the result.

“The last two games have given confidence to our lads and they will be looking forward to playing Willington in the first round of the Durham Trophy.

“We’d really like to have a good run in the cups so hopefully we can field a strong side and, after our last two performances, we’ll relish the opportunity to take on Willington after losing to them in the league at the start of the season.”

Due to players unavailability, Close has been unable to pick a consistent starting XI this season so he delighted that he finally found an engine-room combination that worked at treat against Richmond.

“The game was closely contested but we deserved the win,” he said. “Richmond have started the season so well so to win on their patch was really pleasing and much needed.

“We managed to get the balance of our midfield three right. We’ve signed a lad called Harry Petterson, he’d played Northern League and he can run at pace; he’s vocal, he can link play well alongside Tom Merryweather and Lewis Robinson.

“With Ben Clark up front we had real intensity about us and that front four was full of running and it really caused Richmond problems.

“For Saturday’s game against Annfield Plain we went there with a bit of a threadbare squad,” added the Barney boss.

“We won 2-0 with goals from Aaron Reed and Zack Blythe but we could have won by three or four to be honest, it was a really well-deserved win.

“We had a lad called Liam Simpson, who has just turned 17, playing right-back for us, he was excellent.

“Ollie Linsley came off the bench and played his part and did well. Nathan Bell came on for 30 minutes and played up front and he’s just 16.

“That’s three lads who are kids really but contributed in a game when you expect to be up against it because you miss so many players who are mature men. So well done to them.”

Barney play Willington in the first round of the Durham Trophy tomorrow (Saturday, 1.30pm).

North Riding Football League, Lou Moore Trophy: Barnard Castle Reserves 1 (Addison 65) Yarm & Eaglescliffe Reserves 3.

Darlington Sunday Invitation League

County Cup: Evenwood Town 4 Hartlepool Cricket Club 1; Middleton Wanderers 3 Sunderland Velocity – The Avenue 5; Gainford Cross Keys 2 (Gilbey, Mortimer) South Shields Nook United 4.