Northern Rail Cup : Pool 1

Team P W D L PF PA Diff Pts

Keighley 3 3 0 0 79 48 31 9

Widnes 3 2 1 0 102 56 46 8

Batley 3 2 1 0 110 66 44 8

Whitehaven 3 1 0 2 96 61 35 5

Blackpool 3 1 0 2 104 64 40 4

Barrow 2 1 0 1 54 30 24 4

Workington 2 1 0 1 36 50 -14 3

Swinton 2 1 0 1 40 66 -26 3

Doncaster 2 0 0 2 30 84 -54 1

Gateshead 3 0 0 3 24 150 -126 0

A very good game though and definitely more of the same to come from both sides. Barrow appeared to tire in the 2nd half and didn't look as sharp as they did in the 1st. They'll get better with more game time under their belts. We at least were able to put the marker down today as to where we're at and what we need to improve on.

You were quick i was editing my well done bit.

I don’t know which game you watched today, SNOT-HIM08?



We had a poor first half, but they never threatened our line in the 2nd half. We out played them and penned them in their own half. We lacked a bit of composure in front of the line, but completely dominated that 2nd half. They struggled to get out of their own half and lost the forward battle. They were reduced to Ste Macs basic tactic of 5 drives and a kick. There were also several professional fouls with Barrow players tackling while off side. They were deliberate and desperate attempts to stop our progress illegally. Two of their players should have been binned for this.



How on earth were Barrow robbed?

Pepe, Pepe, Pepe



read the full thread sir.

Barrow where nothing special it was just widnes was poor in the first half.We won and they can whinge as much as they like.

The two Barrow fans sat behind me were comically delusional. If they act like that when they leave the stadium they'd be in danger of being sectioned under the mental health act.

Strange game really, Barrow seemed to have it in the bag after a combination of our poor play but also Barrow were very enthusiastic particularly in the 1st half. When they went 14 up, I thought well thats that then, but slowly but surely we cut out the errors and began to take the game to them. By the end, it was merely a case of whether we could actually get the points on the board rather than would we get any chances. At one point if looked like we could attack all day an not get any more points.



From Barrows point of view, not sure what went wrong, but from a winning position they totally went into their shell and McComics 5 drives and a kick were out in full force. They did look very tired in that 2nd half and didn't show much ambition as was shown by the fact all they had to show was a penalty.



From a Widnes point of view, there is clearly room for improvement. If our forwards put it about like they did in the 2nd half more often then its going to be very difficult to stop us rolling forward. Goal line defence is still a bit of a worry, as was Ford's performance early on but hopefully he can put that behind him. Overall a promising display, and lots we can build on for the league campaign.

That's just a continuation from last season. I must admit, I had Barrow down for the win due to your seemingly light squad (in respect of first choice players missing), so well done.

That could be their undoing at the end of the day.



It's refreshing to hear from all the posts I've read on the game and optimism about the season. I just hope the Bi-Polar Disorder doesn't shine through as often if we lose!



That is twice we've come from behind in two weeks and changed things around totally after apparently being outgunned in the first half in both games, granted it was a last gasp victory on Sunday but it says something about Cullen's half time motivational speeches.



Does anyone know what we'd need to do physically qualify for the next stage (I hope that is not too early to ask)? The sooner we qualify the better and at least then we can get a couple of games under the belt to work on things that haven't gone as well as they should have.



Cautiously optimistic still but things looking good overall.

I think a win at Swinton should seal it for us Vic. Which is our a last game in the group stages

A bonus point I think.