MJ Williams Ends Goal Drought as Barrow Secures First Win
MJ Williams had almost forgotten the feeling.
Nearly two years without a goal, a club reeling from relegation, five games into a new season without a win – and then, against Sutton United, the Barrow captain arrived in the box and changed the mood of an entire afternoon.
His opener in the 3-0 victory did more than break a personal drought. It handed new boss Adam Murray his first win since taking charge in the summer and finally gave Barrow’s bruised supporters something to roar about again.
Captain’s drought ends – and a new target emerges
“It was a bit of a shock really but I think I’ve been due one,” Williams admitted to BBC Radio Cumbria, still sounding slightly surprised by his own name on the scoresheet.
At 30, he knows exactly what his game is built on: discipline, structure, protection. Goals have never been his calling card. But that might be changing.
“It is something I have always wanted to do is add goals but sometimes I don’t find myself in the right positions,” he said.
The work on the training ground is starting to tell. Barrow have been drilling set-pieces relentlessly, and Williams is now arriving where it hurts.
“We work a lot on set-pieces, so I am finding myself in better positions now. It is a massive part of our game and I want to add more goals to my game and hopefully I can this season.”
The finish against Sutton was one thing. The release that followed was another.
A long wait for a moment like that
Relegation from League Two last season left scars. The start to this campaign – five games without a win – only deepened them. When the final whistle went on Saturday and the players walked towards the home end, the sense of shared relief was obvious.
“It has been tough for the fans, I’ve never wanted it to be like that, obviously going on from last season,” Williams said.
“They have been through some tough times, as the club has, and to have that moment with them at the end of the game was massive.”
Murray has hammered away at the idea of unity since walking through the door. Performances, Williams feels, have not always been rewarded, but the 3-0 scoreline finally reflected the effort.
“Since the gaffer has come in, he has spoken about wanting to be all together and have that connection with the fans, and I think in some of our performances we have deserved more from games. To get that 3-0 win and have the scenes at the end was brilliant for all of us.”
For once, Sunday morning felt different.
“When you are not winning it is tough but to wake up on a Sunday knowing you have won on a Saturday is a bit of a relief,” he said. “Last season we didn’t have many of those feelings and it is not nice in football to be coming in when you are not winning.”
Long road to Worthing, no room for excuses
Now comes a different kind of test. Barrow face a long trip to Worthing this weekend, a journey that can drain legs and focus if a squad lets it.
Williams has no intention of letting that happen.
“We all know it is a long journey but it is a massive game for us,” he said. “It will be a big week for us, we need to go there and put on a good performance. There are no excuses in this game, we will get down there, prepare right and go there with confidence after that first win we have had.”
The mood around the camp has lifted, but he is wary of any sense of comfort creeping in.
“This week has been brilliant for all of us but it is important now that we get back on it on Saturday and get a massive three points.”
One goal has changed the tone of Barrow’s season. Now their captain wants to make sure it was the start of something, not just a rare bright spot in another hard year.
