Match Previews

Preview | Barrow v Gillingham

27th February

Barrow v Gillingham

Sky Bet League Two

Holker Street

Saturday February 28, 2026

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Nelson Khumbeni is back training on the grass, but is not cleared for physical contact in training as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury. Conor Masterson remains out with his hamstring issue.

Garath McCleary will be assessed until the final moments, having come off at half-time in the defeat to Oldham due to injury.

Saturday will likely come too soon for Barrow’s Freddie Anderson, while Sam Foley is close to a return following a lengthy spell out due to injury. He could be involved at the weekend.

Charlie Raglan, MJ Williams, Ben Whitfield, Kane Hemmings, and Scott Smith all remain out as they continue their recoveries from their respective injuries.

Manager Comments:

Gareth Ainsworth: “They will be tough, they will scrap for everything, and they are down in the relegation battle, and they want to get out of that. Dino Maamria is obviously renowned for getting his teams to work hard, and I am very respectful of the managerial jobs that he has done over the years. I am looking forward to seeing him, but I want to win the game.”

Previous Meetings:

Saturday will be our 33rd meeting with Barrow. Gillingham leads the head-to-head with 12 wins to Barrow’s nine, and the fixture has also seen 11 draws.

Our first win at Holker Street came in September 1959. The visiting Gills took the lead on eight minutes from the penalty spot. Bill Patrick thought he had given Gillingham the lead when his shot appeared to be finding the back of the net, until Tom Cahill punched it off the line, leaving the official with no choice but to award the spot kick. Bill Albury converted the penalty, and it proved to be the only goal of the game.

Barrow applied plenty of pressure on the Gillingham goal as they searched for an equaliser, but the visitors defended resolutely. Bill Munrow was denied late on by a last-ditch goal line clearance by Bill Parry, ensuring the win for the Gills.

Tickets:

Gillingham supporters will be situated in the Acronis/Hudson Hill Away Stand. Tickets will be UNRESERVED SEATING.

ALL TICKETS must be purchased through the Barrow website, with the dedicated link displayed below.