Last updated 12:03, Thursday, 11 September 2008
BARROW AFC may be part-time – but they sent full-time Oxford United packing at Holker Street last night.
BARROW AFC may be part-time – but they sent full-time Oxford United packing at Holker Street last night.
It was a dream start to the Blue Square Premier campaign for the Bluebirds, who won 3-0.
Second half goals from a Mark Boyd free-kick, Steve McNulty penalty and substitute Paul Brown’s chip (pictured) sent the fans into raptures and the club straight to the top of the Conference after a 10-year absence.
The visitors, who had defender James Clarke sent off shortly before half-time, had arrived in the Lake District to prepare for the game on Thursday.
They trained at Kendal Football Club on that day and carried out team-bonding exercises on Windermere yesterday.
By way of contrast, AFC defender Ryan Elderton was still grafting on a plumbing contract in the plant room at Furness General Hospital until late yesterday afternoon.
But the 24-year-old typified the spirit throughout the team to help them carry on from last season with another clean sheet.
He was also up against Oxford’s pacy forward Yemi Odubade, who was eventually substituted on 75 minutes.
Said Elderton: “It was an absolutely brilliant result, it’s what dreams are made of.
“I had wanted to get finished at dinner-time but the boss wouldn’t let me. I had to keep on working but stood in the corner a few times.
“I was sweating at work but sweat more out on the pitch. He (Odubade) was a fast lad but I managed to take it off him a few times.”
l The crowd kept an impeccable minute’s silence before the game for Grays Athletic and former Oldham and Rochdale midfielder Ernie Cooksey, who died of cancer at 28.
