The Cumbrians knocked out Championship Derby.
Barrow Stuns Derby in Carabao Cup Thriller, Secures Historic Spot in Third Round
Barrow's goalkeeper Paul Farman emerged as the hero of the night, propelling League Two's Barrow into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Championship side Derby County. The tension-filled match, which ended 0-0 in regular time, saw Farman deny Craig Forsyth's decisive penalty, leading to a 3-2 triumph in the shootout for the underdogs.
The win marked sweet revenge for Barrow, who had previously been eliminated by Derby in a penalty shootout at Pride Park four years ago. This time, however, Stephen Clemence's side turned the tables, securing their place in the third round for the first time since 1968—a significant achievement for the club.
The game itself was a tense affair, with both sides coming agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock in the second half. Derby substitute Kayden Jackson rattled the post, while Barrow's Kian Spence saw his well-placed free-kick strike the crossbar just four minutes from time. Despite these near misses, the match remained goalless, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
The first half had moments of excitement, particularly just before the break when Barrow’s Ged Garner tested Derby's Swedish goalkeeper, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, with a low drive that was expertly pushed away. The ensuing action saw Farman make a crucial double save, first stopping Tom Barkhuizen’s header and then reacting quickly to prevent Theo Vassell from inadvertently scoring an own goal on the rebound.
Derby introduced Jackson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after halftime, hoping to inject some much-needed energy into their attack. Jackson nearly made an immediate impact, narrowly missing with a flicked header from Mendez-Laing’s cross. However, Barrow’s defense, anchored by the indomitable Farman, held firm.
As the match progressed, both goalkeepers showcased their shot-stopping abilities. Zetterstrom denied Garner and Emile Acquah on separate occasions, while Farman continued to frustrate Derby’s attack by palming away a dangerous strike from Mendez-Laing.
The penalty shootout that followed was a nail-biting affair. James Collins and Jackson both missed their penalties for Derby, and when Forsyth stepped up for the crucial spot-kick, it was Farman who once again rose to the occasion, making the save that sent Barrow into the next round and their fans into raptures.
