Barrow v Forest Green Rovers abandoned in 14th minute due to waterlogged pitch

The National League match between Barrow and Forest Green Rovers was abandoned in the 14th minute due to a waterlogged pitch and amid farcical scenes.

With Storm Boelo and heavy rain hitting the country, the fixture in the north west of England was subject to a “lengthy” pre-match pitch inspection.

The match was given the green light to kick off, however, and Barrow opened the scored inside 15 seconds, but it was immediately clear that the sodden pitch was struggling with the conditions as the ball held up in puddles.

It was eventually abandoned by the referee in the 14th minute when a back pass from a Barrow defender held up the penalty box and the a Forest Green forward was presented with a goalscoring chance, which he missed.

The Barrow X account posted: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the game has been abandoned.”

The Forest Green account posted a video of the incident that got the match abandoned, calling it the “deciding factor”.

The deciding factor….#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/hys74INUB8

— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) October 24, 2026

The club added: “We understand this is very frustrating for the FGR supporters who have travelled to Barrow today. We wish you all safe travels back home.”

It is a four-hour drive from Forest Green’s home stadium to Barrow-in-Furness.

At 2:30pm, 30 minutes before kick-off, the Forest Green account posted: “The general consensus at the stadium is that the game will go ahead after the referee’s lengthy pitch inspection.”