Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland 3 Barrow 0: Bruce's dream destroyers kills cup romance for 8,000
Heart-breaker: Steve Bruce was determined to avoid an embarrassing cup upset[LNB]In the build-up to the game, Barrow chairman Brian Keen had been quoting George Melly's considered opinion: 'If you can get your act away in front of the locals in the Gorbals and Barrow-in-Furness, you're made.'[LNB]Unfortunately for Keen and the 8,000 and more Barrovians at the Stadium of Light, the man most determined to get his act away on Saturday was Steve Bruce.[LNB]He was in no mood for crowd-pleasing Barrow's locals. On an FA Cup afternoon that cried out for a story, Sunderland were determined not to provide one.[LNB]Sunderland have their own special relationship with the Cup one of the club's main phone numbers ends with the digits 1973 and Bob Stokoe's statue stands outside the stadium. Bruce is aware of the history and observed optimistically afterwards that it takes five games to reach the final. Game one is out of the way.[LNB] If there was to be an upset Barrow had to be very good, Sunderland very bad and the referee generous. Only Barrow fulfilled their part of that scenario and only in the first half.[LNB]The fans came in their thousands but a journey that ended up taking five hours in freezing weather, allied to Steed Malbranque's early opening goal, left them largely silent.[LNB]There were roars when Andy Bond rapped Marton Fulop's hands from almost 30 yards, there was a half-shout for a penalty and some assured general play that suggested Barrow could return to the Football League next season.[LNB]But Sunderland showed physical strength enough of it for Barrow's joint manager Darren Sheridan to mention two 'reckless' first-half tackles. He had a point, but it was Sunderland's attitude that saw them through as shown by Malbranque's goal after a flowing four-man move and a tidy finish. [LNB] Cup magic: But these Barrow fans didn't have much to cheer [LNB]That was in the 15th minute and Barrow were struggling thereafter.[LNB]'I'm proud of them,' said Sheridan. 'They put up a good show but the goal just after half-time's killed us. The fans have had a brilliant day and I thought we could have sneaked it, but we didn't get much off the officials today.'[LNB]Sheridan was infuriated by the award of handball against Gareth Jellyman that led to the free-kick from which Fraizer Campbell made it 2-0. That was in minute 52 and six later Campbell rose again, this time to meet Phil Bardsley's centre with an even better header.[LNB] Superman: Campbell goes flying as he nods home Sunderland's second goal[LNB]For Barrow there is the cushion of a cheque for around £200,000. For Sunderland there was an end to a winless run and four academy products on the field at the end. Of these David Meyler, 20, was arguably man of the match, while Ryan Noble, 17, got a 19-minute debut that confirmed his promise. [LNB]Bruce and his club need some stability. Although the FA Cup paid the cost, Sunderland have begun the new decade by getting their act away.[LNB] Sunderland 3 Barrow 0: Campbell show breaks hearts for minnowsFA Cup fourth round draw: Leeds rewarded with trip to TottenhamThe club that saved the cup: Barrow on the buses as 8,000 head to SunderlandALL THE SUNDERLAND FC
