The trip to Barrow last Sunday became another mission accomplished for Town. The Town-mini-Army certainly enjoyed most of day out, and had little difficulty making themselves heard amidst a spectacularly disappointing derby crowd.

The game was indeed a thriller in the Winter sun, yes perhaps mistakes were abundant - from both teams - but they only added to the nerve tingling excitement. The injury time period - at least an hour of it - had me dancing as if on hot coals. My throat is still suffering the after effects of it all - keep them out, for Gods sake snot that Holt, watch the kick, kill the ball, no penalties. I shouted all those instructions to help the lads out in those long dying minutes of the game - I wish I had kept quiet now - NO I DON'T.

A question which I cannot as yet remove from my inner most chasms of the 'dome' is - (and I'll put it in 'Ivor on the mike'-speak) - Why the 'eck is 'olt 'appy at Barrow? Has the youngster from Carlisle no ambition or what? He was different class, yes Sicey was his ebullient self and stood out, more so in the second half. Kevin Hetherington had his best game yet for Town.....but 'olt was outstanding, despite yapping at Mr. Morris to get ten minutes in the bin.(thank goodness).

Another top 'Furness feature' that made me quite envious last Sunday is the excellent facilities that surround the Craven Park Stadium. I have visited Barrow so many times I have in fact lost count, for League, Speedway (Barrow Bombers) and soccer, not very often for the latter actually. During those many years of visiting the area the road has not improved with any satisfactory distinction. But when you finally arrive at Craven Park these days, having still vomited over the sheep on Corney Fell, a mass of munching outlets are at your disposal.

Fast food of course, but you need to get it in fast being wary of losing it again on the way home. Not only food, but many shops and leisure facilities including swimming, ten-pin-bowling, cinema complex, and a bingo hall, are close at hand to the RL ground - maybe that's where all the Barra folk were at on Sunday then - 'bingo'.

Seriously though I thought it all looked very smart. I know one town director in particular has long mooted the prospect of having a fast food outlet within the confines of Derwent Park. The theory being that families would be attracted there, with the Rugby then able to court them - and I agree. I'd even go to the extent of building one of the aforementioned bingo halls, as long as it was eyes down and look in, clickety click - legs thirteen, at Derwent Park between 2 and 6 on match days. Incidentally I have never played bingo...honest, man alive!

Enough of looking back with the wee green man on my shoulder - get off you laal git. Donny are next up for the Town, plus 'Army'. Although rumblings of the 'foot and mouth' outbreak may upset the scheduling of this. By the way for those still ignorant of the sad cattle disease news - 'foot and mouth' is not a description of one of Brad Hepis' rather better tackles. Rather better? Well yes, he tends to hit nose and mouth mostly.

Poor old Doncaster are in tatters at present, and under a CVA (Can't Vladdy Affordit) agreement. A condition nearly as virulent in the NFP as the aforementioned cattle one is on farms.

I hate to see the game suffering like this, the SKY deal has in my view crippled the lower divisions efforts to survive. Murdoch is an absolute tosspot, no not you Gary, and I often feel like pulling the plug on my dish.......however as I'm also a Fred the Red Devil worshipper I can't bring myself to do it.....double standards? No, I am a fan of the best Rugby League club in the world as well. Oh worky, worky.....whoops I need a throat lozenge, see you anon folks.
K.S.