Forest Green Rovers game abandoned after just 14 minutes as torrential rain ruins Barrow fixture

Forest Green Rovers’ National League fixture at Barrow AFC was abandoned after only 14 minutes on Saturday, October 24, 2026, when torrential rain left the Holker Street pitch unplayable.

The match had already started after an earlier 2.30pm pitch inspection, but worsening conditions quickly made it impossible for play to continue. The referee called time before the game reached the quarter-hour mark, leaving supporters who had travelled to the fixture without a completed match.

Early Barrow goal before referee’s decision

Barrow took the lead inside the opening minute. Isaac Marriott lobbed Forest Green goalkeeper Luke McNicholas to make it 1-0, with the sodden pitch and strong wind making the contest difficult from the outset.

The referee then abandoned the game in the 14th minute. Forest Green’s official match update recorded the score as Barrow 1, Forest Green Rovers 0 when the decision was made.

Barrow says conditions deteriorated after kick-off

Barrow AFC said the referee had carried out hourly pitch inspections before the match and had considered the playing surface suitable for the fixture to begin. However, the club said conditions deteriorated after kick-off, leading to the decision to abandon the game.

“The match referee conducted hourly pre-match pitch inspections and deemed the playing surface suitable for the fixture to begin. However, with conditions deteriorating following kick-off, the referee subsequently made the decision to abandon the match.”

The home club also said its ground staff had made every effort to get the fixture played, working to prepare the pitch and give the game the best possible chance of going ahead.

“The Club made every possible effort to ensure the fixture could go ahead, with our ground staff working tirelessly to prepare the pitch and give the game the best possible chance of being played.”

Barrow thanked its ground staff and the supporters of both clubs who attended despite the difficult weather. The abandonment means the fixture was stopped before a full match could be completed, with the source material giving no further details about a rearranged date or the next steps for the game.