Last updated 14:33, Friday, 04 July 2008

RAIDERS’ officials expect attendances to climb at Craven Park as Dave Clark’s troops march ever closer towards the National League Two championship.

While top-of-the-league Barrow are not home and dry by any stretch, there are strong indications that, come August 24, it might be party time at Hindpool.

Unbeaten Raiders have nine games left, three at home. They are expected to have little trouble against Hunslet in the West Riding on Sunday, despite the Hawks’ back-to-back wins over Workington and Rochdale.

After that there is unfinished business with Oldham at home on Friday, July 11.

Oldham it was who killed off Barrow’s promotion hopes in the play-offs semi-final last season, and that defeat has burned into the memories of the Raiders fans who will be out in force to see the record put straight.

Subsequent home fixtures against surprise package Gateshead Thunder on Saturday, August 2 and Keighley Cougars on Friday, August 15 may well have a strong bearing on the outcome of the title race.

Barrow chairman Dave Nixon said: “We have only three home games left this season, with two of those being against fellow promotion hopefuls Gateshead and Oldham.

“The soccer quite rightly received great support as their push for promotion came to a peak and we hope that similar crowds will be making their way to Craven Park for our remaining crucial matches.”

Although the attendances have been good this season – never below 1,000 – chief executive Des Johnston is hoping for massive support for the rest of the campaign.

“The club has invested a lot of money on bringing in quality signings,” he said.

“Increased support will help offset those costs, but even more importantly will generate an atmosphere that will lift the players.

“We need the public of Furness to get behind us in the final push for the title.”

Forward Martin Ostler, whose grafting performances in the Barrow pack have earned him the respect of the fans since his arrival from Sheffield, said he thought the Craven Park gate could go past the 2,000 mark a week tonight.

“It is going to be a massive game,” he said. “And there is a good chance it could be 2,000. I’m sure Oldham will bring a few.

“Our support at home is brilliant, it shows you are doing something right. You go to places like Gateshead — who are doing well — and they don’t have anything like the support that we do.”

Ostler is having treatment for an injured ankle and is expected to be fit for the arrival of the Roughyeds.

The Board are hoping for an attendance in excess of 2,000 for the vital match against Oldham next Friday. A win would put a severe dent in Oldhams' title hopes in addition to keeping the Raiders ahead of the pack at the top of the table.With away fixtures at Oldham and Doncaster still to come the Directors and Coaching staff are well aware of the size of task that confronts them. "Other sides have games in hand but we have the points in the bag," said Coach Dave Clark ," our aim is to concentrate on the challenge of the next game and let others worry about catching us up. This is the part of the season when bodies start to ache and players feel the knocks but the support we receive both home and away helps get our guys through the pain barrier." Director Dave Sear revealed that the Club is still trying to recruit players. " We are in negotiations with players at home and abroad. Des has in the last week been speaking with three players who have decent rugby league pedigrees and have played in the Super League this season. We aim to be in a position to bolster our squad this season if needed but we are also looking to build for next season. The Chief Executive is in daily contact with Super League clubs to make sure we have a chance of picking up any loan signings that may be on offer"