MMU 5 County Youth 1

 Stockport County`s table topping  Youth team came a cropper yesterday at the Cumberland Arena, where in form MMU, coached by former County favourite Nigel Deeley, stormed to a well deserved 5-1 win.

It was an uphill struggle from the start, in fact before the start for County  who were short of key players in key areas, and against a side that had rattled in 8 recently , the game was always a big ask for the blues.

MMU pretty much bossed matters throughout, going into an early 2 goal lead. If we thought, and we did, that this was typical County and that they would make one of their usual high octane come backs, we were wrong, and despite a man of the match performance from Ben Spibey , who scored County`s goal and peppered woodwork and keeper with shots galore , and energetic displays from Kiarno Samms, Kameron Palmer, Leon Murphy and others, there  was always ever going to be one winner, despite late heroics from keeper Adam Rigby, and that was the team from Newcastle.  

  

A much changed County side were quickly under the cosh in pleasant conditions on an excellent( grass) pitch, and as early as the 6^th minute, we could see we were in for a game, when the ball hit the back of the County net and Adam Roberts turned in triumph. His joy was short lived however as the effort was ruled out for offside.

Murphy did manage one shot- a side footed effort that missed out by half a yard, but in the main it was Rigby who was the busier keeper at this stage  and he did particularly well to deny Declan Fulton,whose header was on target and threatening.

Twelve minutes in, a move engineered by Albert Keeling and Leon Murphy foundered as the MMU right back stood firm to good effect. This saw MMU work the ball up the park and a speculative effort from outside the box from Connor Perrie deceived Rigby to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

That was something of a shock but more followed and within a minute or so. At first, when the lively number 11, Henry Blundell, slotted the ball home, we assumed that it was a repeat of our earlier experience, because the near side liner`s flag was up and had been from an early stage in the move. No goal then, but....hey...what`s this....the referee had pointed to the centre circle signalling a goal, and was now ear bashing his liner with the reasons why!

Ho hum.......2-0 to MMU it was, but maybe..... surely......County would re-group and come back to ultimate victory! It was however another 15 minutes before anything like this idyllic situation was triggered by the blues, and it came via Ben Spibey, who had just moments earlier set Nick Williams up for a strike on goal that almost did for ace camera person Sue Corden who was in attendance for County Life. The next action was altogether better from County`s view point. Spibey started things rolling latching onto the ball before picking captain Leon Murphy out wide on the left. Murphy returned the favour with speed and accuracy, for Spibey to turn on the ball before blasting a stunner past the otherwise brilliant home keeper Callum Spencer.

Spibey to the fore.

Samms , Murphy and Spibey were attacking with intent ,but the MMU defence was brilliantly resilient and organised to a tee, and the blues struggled to work openings, and even when Spibey got through the guard his bullet header thundered into the bar before heading off out of the danger zone.

At the other end Rigby was busier than normal – saving from Blundell, and again from Josh Ansor, who was the best player on the park for 90 minutes, even shading Spibey.

Samms goes close.

Kiarno Samms  and Murphy both went close with shots when the 2^nd half started , but even when Samms followed this up with a fine run down the left and an even better cross, it ended badly for the blues with Albert Keeling sliding in mere inches from putting the half chance away.

With Samms thwarted again by the keeper and County`s keeper doing well to deny Brad Tabener, it looked anything but a shoo in, that County would manage to square this circle.

Indeed, the MMU defence continued to look well nigh invulnerable, whereas County were finding defending hard work, and it was only a minor surprise when, just before the hour, MMU scored again. It started down the right where the Tabener 7 beat his man before pinging a beaut of a cross over. Rigby went for it with Steve Jenyons-Buckley, but the forward won and it was 3-1.

Credit to County they did respond, through Spibey but a ferocious shot from him brought a brilliant save from  keeper Spencer,to keep it unbelievably at 3-1.

Spibey header thuds into the bar.

But ......on the hour a loose ball at the back from County, increased their discomfiture, as the ball quickly sped from Amson to Jenyons- Buckley who made no mistake.

Josh Amson by now was running riot, and County just could not handle him, and Rigby did well to come up with the ball after one particularly tasty move from the home team.

With Nico Brown on for Charley Mather late on, County went 3/4/3 in an effort to claw something back from the wreckage. Spibey led the charge, but a header from him just went wide and another thunderous shot thudded into the gloved hands of the diving keeper yet again! Spencer, in the home goal, was inspired, and even when less so.....with Samms taking the ball around him, County could not put the ball into the net- Brown seeing his shot blocked.

County push forward....

Inevitably MMU waited their chance to hit on the break and they did it to perfection, and Rigby did extremely well to keep the initial shot from Jenyons- Buckley out. He did not hold it however and, following up, the excellent Amson  slotted goal number 5 in for his team!

Lots of action followed....shots from Samms.......Williams.....Spibey.....Murphy....saves from Rigby who was left increasingly exposed by the need for County to get forward. 

Murphy goes close ( top) while Spibey has another shot brilliantly saved( below)!

 In the end one blast of the referee`s whistle told us the game was over and, deservedly, MMU had won.

Good luck to them and let`s look to County bouncing back from this ...along with one or two favourable results elsewhere in the league.

Keep the faith.....get to Knutsford next Wednesday for 1.30 for the fight back!

County line up;

Adam Rigby, Charlie Mather ( Nico Brown 68), Kristopher Livesey, Wesley Barker, Kameron Palmer, Nick Williams,Albert Keeling, Kiarno Samms, Ben Spibey, Rodney Ajayi, Leon Murphy. 

 MMU Line up:

Callum Spencer,  Kieran Sandland,  Jack Flaherty, . Kyle Stubbs, . Connor Perrie, . Declan Fulton, . Brad Taberner,Adam Roberts . Steve Jenyons-Buckley, . Josh Amson, . Henry Blundell

Subs; Andy Dufty, Jack Johnson, Jamie Lucas.

Ian Brown

Additional pic Gallery:

Time to put the Brakes on?

Leamington Spa offers up enough opportunities ale-wise to justify a single night stop over, but certainly not 2. In fact, when I came to do the detailed research (after booking the trains & B&B I would add), I was rather alarmed to find that 2 of the 5 Leamington Spa pubs in the Good Beer Guide are Wetherspoons.

Nothing against Wetherspoons. I Like Wetherspoons & plan to try them both. But, when a local CAMRA branch has to resort to putting forward Wetherspoons as their Good Beer Guide entries, it is usually a bad sign as to the general standard of ale in the area. I still haven’t gotten over Hartlepool (Rat Race Ale House aside of course).

Yes...it really does exist.....Rat Race Ale House

So, this is a rare example of when my expectations of County were actually higher than my ale expectations.

The plan was a work of sheer genius & military precision. Early train Saturday morning, arriving at Leamington 11:37, leaving just enough time to check into the B&B & get to the first pub (the Windmill) by 12:08, thereby avoiding getting the pint that had been sat in the pipes overnight.

Then, one further stop off on the way to the New Windmill Ground, before heading into the Brakes Bar at the ground. A 5km walk in all! Do you know why Leamington FC aren’t called Leamington Town? Well, it’s because they’re way out of town. Leamington Outskirts or Leamington Periphery would be ok I guess.

I’m supposed to meet up with one of Hedgegrower’s cronies at the Ground, or at worst in Wetherspoons back in town-some guy called And . Hard core party animals one & all apparently. Fame? Never heard of him myself, but I am here to please.

The evening will then be spent trying to find various boozers in Leamington, culminating with a curry with Andy & his mates.

Sunday afternoon involves trying to find the pubs I couldn’t find the previous night, before returning back to Stockport on the 16:15, probably in desperate need of some decent ale.      

The only good thing about having to get up early on a Saturday is that sometimes, Naga Munchetty is on BBC News. 

Naga Munchetty.

Sally Nugent! Pah! I switch to Al Jazeera.   

The first excitement was when a young girl on my bus into Stockport got the shock of her life (to date) when a bloke old enough to be her great grandfather sits next to her & proudly announces that he always sits next to the prettiest girl on the bus.

He wasn’t using his indoor voice, if you catch my drift, & certainly got her attention. Earphones were removed & mobile device deactivated. He was way into her “half” of the seat (well, she was only little).

She could taste the grape she ate for breakfast, smell the years lingering on his battered flat cap, hear his attempts to make polite conversation whilst trying (& miserably failing) not to inadvertently use double-entendres & she could see that there was no escape.

No, it wasn’t me, I promise. I wear a Topper as you well know *. Everyone else on the bus is going to work, a timely reminder of how lucky I am.
( Editors timely intervention:...err....not strictly true MIAH....see the following candid snap taken pre match at Leam . I think I quote you correctly " Where`s the bar?".....)

MIAH....hat less !

A bit surprised to see the young girl get off in Brinnington really, considering she was wearing an Asda uniform. Thought Asda was in the town centre?

Anyway, as she gets off, Mr. Wilks gets on. He informs me that many of the Blue Army got the 8 ‘o’ clock train. He’s on his way to get the Peels of Wheels coach.

Eventually, the bus swung past the Plaza, where all of the wrinklies were waiting outside, eager to get their weekly Plaza Cafe fix. I’d like to say waiting patiently, but no. Have you ever noticed that old people just don’t do queuing?
( Editors note : err.....must reprimand MIAH soon as....for rampant ageism.....)

Anyway, a rapidly deteriorating situation is quickly remedied when one of the waitresses gives them all a good hosing down from one of the first-floor Cafe windows. Order is restored. No-one wants to lose their crumpet privileges. “Don’t make me come down there” she hollers.

No Plaza Cafe for me today though as my train leaves before the Plaza opens. Rather than waitresses in Victorian dress & very decent coffee, I’m faced with Andy in the station buffet on platform 2. This is now run by Starbucks (spit - - definitely part of the axis of evil).

It’s not all bad though, as Andy is a huge County fan always likes a chat about County’s prospects, which is something you just don’t get in the Plaza Cafe.

Andy always spots County colours & confirms to me that some of the Blue Army did indeed board the earlier train. I’m sure he’ll be very familiar to Supporters who regularly use the train.

The station buffet is very busy & yet no-one uses the 2 spare seats at the table I’m using. This partly because I’m obviously a football supporter & they are the scum of the earth, but I also realise that the chocolate swirl I’ve being trying to eat isn’t really very beard-friendly.

Even after I’ve tidied myself up, 6 serviettes later, people would still rather stand than sit with me. I even smile nicely & pat one of the seats in encouragement, but no dice.

A sign “Thank you for using Starbucks”, greets my departure to the platform. Take it or leave it - some choice!Meanwhile my table has already attracted more attention now, than the first seller to open their boot at a Bank Holiday Help the Hatters car boot event, as I head for the door.

“Don’t get too drunk” Andy shouts after me. Perhaps I should revise my plan? No. No, the plan is sound. I board the train. Probably in the third wave today. Some will have stayed over Friday night. Then the 8am crew & now me.

It’s standing room only, so I’m very glad I booked a seat. The usual disapproving looks as I take my place at one of the tables for 4. Just going to sit here quietly reading my book for 2 hours. That’ll show ‘em! Quiet coach my arse! I dread to think how noisy the other coaches are if this is quiet.

Train is 20 minutes late, so by the time I arrive, the plan is already in tatters.

12:33 before I get to the New Windmill. Should be 5 ales on, but there are only 2. In fairness, the beer is fine, but this is very much a restaurant that does a bit of ale, as opposed to a pub that does food. It starts to fill up with old people & children. I’m off.

Windmill Leamington

The housing estate behind the pub is where the ground used to be. The new ground is a good hour’s walk away. Still, I’m sure someone did nicely out of selling the ground, so that’s ok isn’t it?

Can’t see County liking these southern conditions. Far too hot for a bobble-hat & unpleasantly bright to boot.

Heathcote Inn next. 1 ale (should be 4) & 1 drinker - me. The Landlord has only been in a week, but hails from Belfast, so I bore him with tales of my various trips to NI.

Heathcote- Leamington

I’m not on my own long though.

Enter Richard & Mark of yellow army fame, with sons Rickie & Harry in tow, both of whom have played for Leamington Brakes Under 14s earlier. There are teams from every age group from under 10s up to under 15s, all playing competitive football under the Club’s banner, in various local leagues. Impressive.

I was going to walk to the ground, but am persuaded by my new chums to get the free bus with them. When I see that there is no pavement, I realise I’ve fallen on my feet yet again. Had the train not have been late, I wouldn’t have bumped into the locals & would surely have been run over trying to walk to the ground.

Apparently, Leamington is affectionately known locally as Leam. Typical lazy southerners, don’t know their born. End up next to Froggy on the bus, who is staying over in Coventry. Useful updates on the ale he’s tried so far in Leam (get me, I’m blending in with the locals) ensue.

£11 in. A helpful steward gives Liam permission to bring his drum in & even helps get in over the turnstile. However, as soon as Liam is in, another more senior steward confiscates the drum. Not allowed. Noise pollution.

Noise pollution? We’re in the middle of bleedin’ nowhere. Absolutely ridiculous. Even the yellow army plead for Liam to be able to keep the drum, but no, the local wildlife must not be disturbed.

(Editors note: We sent Nigel Farago up in the blog helicopter to get a pic of the NWG( above) and  MIAH `s remarks on its remoteness to Leamington centre are confirmed!)

Need pie.

No pies.

I alert the Blue Army, who were queuing to get into the ground, as to the lack of pies. Still they stream in, all heroes to a man. Yet another game will have to be endured in a pie-less environment. The sacrifices we make.

Off to the Brakes Bar. Bottle of Brake Fluid, a local real ale brewed especially for the Club. Not bad. Would be better draught of course. More chatting with the locals. Still no sign of Andy.

Brakes Fluid !

Having a browse through the excellent match day programme. The fact that Leamington even exist is a credit to all those involved. You really can’t see the join between the Club & the community it serves.

Smallest pitch I’ve ever seen.

Youngest liner I’ve ever seen.

“Past your bed-time liner?”

No response. Perhaps he didn’t hear me.

“PAST YOUR BED-TIME LINER?”

Oh, I see, he’s ignoring me. How deflating. In hindsight, I’m not proud of myself.

The Blue Army are gathered on the open end, which County are attacking. Let me qualify that, the end County are supposed to be attacking. First half is total rubbish.

Blue Army

But, supporters are being allowed to switch ends for the second half, which will place the Blue Army under a roof. Surely this will effectively hand the game to County. Should be very noisy & lift the players. And our away following can’t help but be cheered up by being moved out of the sun. What’s more, the covered end is where the bar is!

Blue Army + roof!

As I change ends, someone shouts my name. It’s Stevie B of Hyde Hatters fame. Steve tells me that he now lives near Leam having left Hyde. He’s also married a local lass. I know County haven’t been great Steve, but a bit of an over-reaction that, if you don’t mind me saying.

Into the second half. County look awesome & deservedly take the lead. My theories are being proven correct. But not for long. A sense of déjà vu descends. County can’t defend a lead. Even one of the stewards looks strangely familiar. Very disturbing. 

Stewards !

With 5 minutes to go, the drum is duly returned to Liam, conditional on him not banging it.

The drum is banged.

Didn’t see that coming.

The drumstick is confiscated. Is that what you call it, a drumstick? Not sure? Anyway, upon chatting with the steward at the end of the game, I realise that she’s had a complete sense of humour bypass. Liam will not be welcomed back.

In fairness, I guess that having to supervise the Blue Army is a bit different to looking after the half dozen or so from North Ferriby. The crowd is announced as 1,038, nearly 200 above the previous best of the season when Alty visited.

Here’s Andy! We retire to the Brakes Bar for more Brake Fluid. There are free buses back to Leam at 17:40 & 18:00. Local advice is to get the 17:40 if you want a seat. A Leamington player nicks my chair whilst I’m in the toilet.

Back in Leam, it’s straight down to business with Andy & his party animals, Jason & Craig. I’ll get the beers in at the Jug & Jester while they check into their hotel.

What’s this? They need an hour’s rest!

I start to realise that perhaps they’re not the hardened drinkers I was led to believe they were.

Anyway, no problemo. There are other members of the Blue Army to hand, all staying over of course.

It’s Fletch & his mob. Now this is a coincidence. We met in another Spa Town earlier this season, Harrogate, where I marched them so far in the wrong direction (down the Leeds Road as I recall) in search of a great boozer called the Swan of the Stray, that we had to get a bus back into town. I’m not allowed to forget this unfortunate incident - with good cause!

Here it is....Swan of  the Stray.

Andy & Jason show up, but Craig needs a further half an hour to recuperate.

One of the locals has a real issue with people from Warwick. He’s on about burning down the bridges to stop “them” getting into Leam. What’s that all about? My theory is that the Warwickians raided Leam in years gone by, & not only nicked all of the pies, but also all of the recipes for pies, leaving Leam completely pie-less, a situation that has remained to this day. No wonder he’s angry!  

Fletch is moving on & arrangements are made to meet up again shortly in the next pub.

We can’t find them.

Fletch - if your reading this, it wasn’t my fault, I took no part in navigating the group. I know you don’t believe me, but I didn’t.

Anyway, Andy & the chaps want to eat at this secret Indian place called Fusion, which was highly recommended by some locals earlier.

We can’t find it.

Reckon the locals were just yanking Andy’s chain personally. Perhaps they were mischief makers from Warwick trying to sully the good name of Leam?

The Kayal

We head for the Indian that we had originally intended to try. Craig describes the experience as a load of pretentious nonsense. He got that dead right. When did Indian food get this complicated? Furthermore, everything we order has the consistency of soup & the naan breads are all like pancakes. Simply just not fit-for-purpose. The flavour is very nice though. I drink mine as I would a soup.

It’s game over. We make a loose arrangement to meet in the Benjamin Satchwell (Wetherspoons) in the morning.

Sunday ablutions. Flushes through very nicely, taking with it all that went before. What happens in Leam should stay in Leam, so at least that’s mission accomplished.

5 newsagents, no NLP. So much for Leam being a football town.

10:52 - the Benjamin Satchwell to see if there are any of the Blue Army left standing.

Andy & his lot are heading back to Brum for the Villa game. I try to goad him into a swift pint before he departs, but he’s too busy admiring the local architecture. Come to think of it, he kept going on about it last night.

The weather is much nicer today. It’s a lot cooler & there is a steady drizzle, the sort that gets tangled in your beard. I’m glad I have 4 hours before my train as there is much to do.

Leam is a student town due to being close to Warwick University. There is therefore plenty of TNT (top-notch-tail) to admire through Wetherspoons’ window as I plan out my route. In years gone by, I remember that John also referred to TNT as FGF.

TNT

Start with Somerville Arms as that is the furthest away. Shut. Says 12:00, now 12:30. Shut. This was my top target & where we should’ve met Fletch last night. I’ve blown it! I’ll be ratting them out to CAMRA. At least I’ve tracked down the NLP in WH Smiths.

To the Clarendon. 4 ales (available, not consumed). An eye-watering £3.40 a pint.

Off to the White Horse. THREE EIGHTY!

White Horse

I might have to cut down or even give up. Think I hear my liver cheering. Them’s rugby prices!

Star & Garter £3.50 - best pint of the weekend though. And what’s this, a picture of my dad on the wall?

Leave the NLP there with the Sunday Times for others to enjoy, having noted that my home town team, Sutton Coldfield are still in the hunt for a play-off spot.

Everywhere busy. No recession in Leam then?

THREE EIGHTY in the White Horse. Chunter, grumble, moan, gripe etc. Nowhere near London. And there is hardly a beer mat to be seen. Good job I carry my own. THREE EIGHTY. No beer mat, & you have to give the glass back!

`Dad'

                     

One of the locals advises that there has been a serious shortage of beer mats ever since the main beer mat distribution centre just outside Warwick burnt down in mysterious circumstances. And what are the authorities doing to bridge the gap between beer mat supply & demand? Nothing. Not a damn thing! Unbelievable!

THREE EIGHTY! GRRRRRRRRRRR...... No more stop-overs south of Stockport. Hate the south so much. Revenge soon. Suppose I could come back next season & just drink halves?

Off to the Cricketers. I appear to be invisible. Perhaps you need a password to get served? A local sat at the bar helps me get served, boasting he’s had 4 pints already this lunchtime. Lightweight! Perhaps he knows Andy?

The guy serving me is the love child of Russell Brand. Why would he have to work behind the bar? Perhaps Russ has cut off his allowance? Hold on, I’ve got it. It must be hard for Russ to keep track of all of them mustn’t it?

Sausage roll or scotch egg? Better try both. £2 a throw. Hold on, is this scotch egg even better than the ones available at the Three Fishes in Shrewsbury?

I going to say it. Yes.

City have won the League Cup. YAWN! Well, another hammering for the bookies I suppose & at least it proves that resources rule, which is sort of reassuring.

Train home is packed. Dozing off nicely. On time.

Tipping it down upon arrival back in Stockport. Proper rain. The sort of stuff that bounces off your beard. It’s great to be back.

The excellent Crown Inn Stockport Viaduct.

Re-acclimatise in the Crown under the magnificent viaduct. £2.80 a pint. I hand over a quid too much by mistake.

Diddly diddly.

Quick chat with Mike who works there, although I’m probably not making that much sense by now. Do I ever?

Next stop-over North Ferriby. Pie guaranteed. Surely?

THREE EIGHTY!!!!!!! Why you little.............


MIAH

County 2 Barrow 2 ; Conference North

County drove their long suffering supporters to distraction last night when they shared the points at Edgeley Park against Barrow.

“ Hang on  a bit” I can just imagine you saying in response “ are not Barrow on  an 8 game unbeaten run away from Holker Street?”. And they are of course, but having frustrated us big time by sleep walking through the first 45 minutes of both their last 2 games whilst taking 1 point from a possible 6, County found another way of sending their supporters( over 2400 strong last night) heading off towards the Samaritans , as they surged into a 2 goal first half lead, this time, only to surrender the initiative , and 2 of the 3 points, via an inept display that saw them fortunate in the end to salvage even one. Both goals were travesties in their own way, and both were down unfortunately to errors by the returning Jordan Fagbola. Some may also point to the fact that Kyle Jacobs, who looked in supreme form, had to be substitute just before half time, having been injured by a reckless challenge from Robbie Williams, and it was definitely a contributory factor in my view to County`s demise, but mostly it was down to Barrow being first to just about everything, and brighter on the ball, which they had long periods in possession of.

Awaiting the arrival of the teams........

At 7.45 none of this was in the air as the teams took the field. Barrow were likely to be difficult opponents, but AL knew this only too well and had rung the changes after the dispiriting collapse at Leamington. In came Kyle Jacobs, Jordan Fagbola, Bobby Lofthouse and new man Jamie Milligan, in place of Cowen, Moses, Churchman and Howard( Saturday`s County goal scorer).With Jacobs thankfully back , this meant that Platt could revert to mid field where he has been increasingly influential of late, and it would be interesting to see how he shaped up alongside new man Jamie Milligan.

In truth I was expecting a massive improvement from the blank sheet our mid field showed us down south.

Barrow were first to show however, and Lees did well to head clear after Paul Edwards had got his cross in down the left. County responded quickly but a strike from Battersby missed the target narrowly with Tony McMillan beaten.

Both teams probed the other next, as Jevons was repulsed by weight of Cumbrian numbers in the last third, and Phil Marsh saw a snap shot fly wide on the break.

Already though Barrow looked a lively outfit.....busy on the ball and eager to get forward, and I was relieved to see Ormson make a confident catch to stop the rot as Edwards again whipped a fair old cross into the box.

First half action.

If the Blue Birds looked lively, then County seemed ,at this point anyway, to be ready and able to offer a response, with Jacobs looking increasingly restive to get forward and when he did ...with some purpose –usually in tandem with Platt who looked silky smooth upon his return to the mid field role he is best at. The moves started to build from the blues and Jevons was unlucky to see a shot come back out off a defender. The ball ran on to Oates who then hit the target with a neat shot only to see the redoubtable Tony McMillan do the biz and keep it out!

County defend.

As I say......both teams were trying to play, and Lees did really well, several times in quick succession, to snuff out embryonic moves. He fed his mid field who then ushered it onward , and the 17^th minute saw a shot from Oates not that far away from opening the scoring- it went wide , but not by a lot!

If I was disappointed with the last action....I was verging on the apoplectic a minute later as the slumbering liner to my left ( yes......yes.....need you ask....the MSL)allowed the dangerous Edwards to dart clear whilst at least a yard offside. It was an appalling bit of officiating, but nowhere near as bad as the next example of same, as from Edwards the ball sped on to Alex-Ray Harvey who was in on goal. He had Lees for company and the Stockport man`s outstretched leg sent the forward hurtling to the ground. It looked a clear penalty to me, but the referee`s extravagant mime told us he thought otherwise.

Bit blurred, but idea clear...flag by side!

  

Escsape?....................certainly, but could County capitalise on it? Well....for once....yes. It took them 5 minutes to do it but do it they did as a loose ball in midfield from Barrow allowed Platt to start a move rolling that gave his team the lead. Platt sought Oates out with a probing ball, but it by-passed the County number nine and instead went to Lofthouse who buried a firm finish beyond anything McMillan could offer as he rushed out at a rate of knots. The ball meanwhile was in the net and County had the lead.

County attack.

A minute or so  later things and for a moment it looked  like County would add to  their bounty,as Duxbury burst clear to win a corner down the left, but ...in a flash it looked decidedly the other way as straight from the set piece County were in a headlong mad scramble back up field as Harvey darted clear. It was slipshod work from the blues but Ormson saved their blushes with a firm claim that made Harvey, for now, redundant.

Work to do at the back for County.

A  corner......and 2 Nick Rushton inspired interventions later and County responded as Battersby won a corner, but with Lofthouse lurking beyond the far post it was a disappointmet to see the ball not reach him and be cleared. It came back though, via Lofthouse and Duxbury, but ,with the Barrow cover shredded, Battersby stabbed his shot wide.

At last County looked to be getting to grips , and more disappointment followed as Oates saw his shot blocked and Platt  shot wide.

Good work at the back from Ormson to deny Harvey( in tandem with Fagbola who at this juncture was doing OK)turned to the joy of a second County goal as another cool move from the blues ended with Jacobs slotting a real beaut of a ball into the box to Oates who blasted it home as the advancing McMillan thudded into him. No matter.....no damage, and it was 2-0 to County......nice!

Well............I reckoned it was so, but it took about 60 seconds for a reality check to bring us back down to earth! There seemed no great danger, albeit that Edwards was on the ball- wide on the left. But when he lifted it into the box it all changed rapidly- Fagbola took the blame for nor responding and stopping Phil Marsh from heading it on, but any number of others might have done so too, but they didn`t and the ball landed with Harvey who smashed the ball past an angry Ormson to make it 2-1.

That was not good and Ormson`s frustration was understandable, and he had to look lively again within minutes as, with County retreating in familiar style in front of him,  Marsh had a go from distance. It was a decent effort , and although it took the County keeper two goes to keep it out- keep it out he duly did, and a punched clearance and quick covering gather not long after this earned Ormson applause as half time beckoned.

Good work by Lees came next and from him the ball was carried on the wings of a borderline glorious move to the edge of the box where the on song Jacobs had it. He was looking good , but then he was chewing grit as a wild tackle laid him low as Robbie Williams slammed into him from behind. It was just outside the box so no penalty, but what colour card? Williams was the last man....but Jacobs initial movements saw him drifting slightly away from goal, so it was really no great surprise that the colour was yellow.

Jevons blasted his kick over the bar to end the half on a distinct low, with O`Halloran on for Jacobs, slotting in at right back, not a spot he usually fills, but the re-start saw the Irishman do well under pressure as Edwards in concert with Marsh threatened.

Barrow were seeing a lot of the ball now....too much really, but thus far County were able to restrict them to long range shots- the latest from Paddy Lacky clearing the bar with some to spare.

County did try to keep it competitive though and Platt and Oates were unlucky to see McMillan in top form as they sniffed for snippets in front of goal. Yes.....it was possible to see a good scrap developing, but it was celebration time for Barrow and their supporters, on 55 minutes, as the ball nestled in the County net from an un-challenged free kick, but the liners flag was up and it did not count- offside!

Again County tried to reply, but Lofthouse`s lob carried the bar after good work by Platt. Add a Milligan free kick that caused Barrow no problems whatsoever and the frustration was beginning to mount with Barrow looking every bit a side on a run!

Marsh saw a shot deflected for a corner, which Fagbola did well to welly clear after Harvey had set a tasty move going, with Edwards joining in to good effect.

A Barrow goal began to look increasingly on the cards, but when it arrived, it arrived in depressingly familiar fashion- straight from a County attack! O`Halloran and Battersby had just probed the left side of the Barrow defence, and  Andy Burns had just dived to head clear, when County`s concentration went for a bucket of chalk, or rather Fagbola`s did , and his inability to stop the ball getting away from him allowed Rushton a free run on goal, and after just a brief dalliance with  missing it...he didn`t and it was 2-2.

With County second to just about every loose ball that last action was no great surprise-it was massively disappointing though as Platt gave way to Moses  with County trying to get their lead back via Battersby who went down in the box under pressure from Edwards and Willis. It did not look a penalty however, and one wasn`t given.

2nd Half action.

I was less convinced of the referees credential moments later however as the same Battersby was body checked in the box by Willis. The referee was not impressed – stoking up the crowds ire by almost immediately giving Barrow a free kick in front of the Danny Bergara Stand.

Into the last 10 minutes we went, and by this time O`Halloran had been switched inside to central defender with the unhappy Fagbola pushed out wide to his right.

With Howard on for Lofthouse, the scene was set for a County cavalry charge in the final minutes, but twice Jevons was denied by an outstretched leg.

County press.

Meanwhile...Barrow were by no means done, indeed had substitute Tom Corner not missed his kick in front of goal with 4 minutes left, they may have made County`s night even more of an angst ridden affair. Then another substitute, Gareth Arnison followed suit, failing to force the ball home with Barrow pressing for that vital third goal hungrily.

Yes................County kept trying......Duxbury`s cross winning a corner via Jevons which caused something of a late melee in front of goal......Jevons lifting an effort over the top, and Battersby one into the keepers arms. However....so did Barrow, and Fagbola nightmare night continued as Edwards went past him. Fagbola was beaten and County were in disarray, but Ormson saw them to safety with a firm punched clearance!

There was a feeling around Row R that County were `settling for a point’. If so that was a dangerous road to travel along, and I was relieved to see O`Halloran head clear from a Ted Cribley cross deep into added time.

I guess though, that County wanted to win it, it was just that the legs just would not carry them safely to that goal, and the last action more or less saw McMillan just beat Oates to a despairing long ball.

Having now slept on it......I am tempted to be reconciled to the view that ,against a rampant away side like Barrow , this was a good point, but then again......

County line up;

Ormson, Jacobs ( O`Halloran 44), Fagbola, Lees, Duxbury, Platt( Moses 74),  Milligan, Lofthouse( Howard 83), Jevons, Battersby, Oates.

Subs not used;  Lewis, Charnock.   

        

 Barrow line up:

McMillan, Burns, Willis, Lacky, O`Donnell, Williams, Harvey, Sheridan, Rushton, Marsh, Edwards.

Attendance:  2457

Ian Brown