Fleetwood Town

Town’s defeat at Northampton will not be remembered for the result but for midfielder Anthony Barry it marked the end of a 506 day period on the sidelines

By David MitchellFleetwood Town’s defeat at Northampton Town will not be remembered for the result but for midfielder Anthony Barry it marked the end of a 506 day period on the sidelines after a knee injury against Darlington in Town’s first home game of last season.  Barry came on in the second half at Sixfields and looked his old self as he prompted and cajoled his team-mates: ‘It felt a bit like a debut, to be honest.  Obviously I’m gutted for the lads but made up because there were times when I never thought it would happen.  I’d made the bench for Port Vale on Tuesday but honestly didn’t think I’d get on today as I’d not had any reserve football.  The gaffer showed great faith in me and I was ready physically and mentally.’ ‘There is still a long way to go and I need match time under my belt but every day is a bonus.  Now I will have a nervous night of ice, rest and hope and wait to see what things are like in the morning.’ After 4376 minutes of action two years ago, followed by a hat-trick of end of season awards, last year was a massive reality check but Barry is looking forward to playing his part again: ‘It’s an ever-changing squad and only our first defeat under the new gaffer.  We’re sitting pretty in the table and if anyone had said we would be in the play-off positions at the start of 2013 we’d have taken it.  We’re building and going forward so watch this space!’