We had a decent support at Chesterfield last Saturday. However, there was a chunk of the usual suspects who were celebrating elsewhere due to a wedding - a fantastic day, filled with love and enjoyed by all.

That being said, weddings on Saturdays do present some logistical problems, not least where the internet is intermittent.

Thankfully, the cheer before the speeches began as we went 2-0 up was accompanied by no more than rolled eyes of long-suffering partners and quizzical looks from many of the guests for whom, believe it or not, a Barrow away win wasn’t high on the priority list.

As the meal was served, it was our turn to roll our eyes as we conceded a first right on half-time, then a late equaliser.

According to those in the away support who joined us for the night-time celebrations (and Chesterfield’s own manager), we battered them and could have been seven or eight ahead.

The consensus was that we were unlucky because of the chances we didn’t take, but we all know we need to halt this worrying trend. On the bright side, it was an away point at a side with much greater resources.

On we went to Bank Holiday Monday and the visit of Halifax, buoyed by a sizeable support due to their excellent start and demolition of fancied AFC Fylde.

We began beautifully, Lewis Hardcastle finishing a wonderful move with a great curling shot.

At half time we were ahead (sound familiar?). Halifax stretched us with pacey attacking play, we failed to stop a cross, brilliantly blocked the initial shot but the resulting chance was tucked away.

Back we came with some decent interplay, however it was then that the referee decided to take a hand in the afternoon’s proceedings.

No one is now allowed to defend if the Halifax penalty decision was correct, and worse was to come. Brad Barry scythed down in the box. It was a disgraceful challenge that somehow went utterly unpunished, to howls of incredulity.

We battled, they slowed the game, unpunished, but to be fair with some tough defenders, who held on resolutely. Neither referee nor away team left many friends in Barrow, but the points left too.

If matches lasted 45 minutes we would probably be top, but they don’t. There’s work to do, but keep the faith as we head for on-fire Woking.

*Looking to banish the post-wedding fog on Sunday, some of our fans made their way to Furness Cricket Club to watch Hawcoat Park and Vickerstown do battle in a cup final.

It was a beautiful day for cricket and a very exciting game I’m told. However, the match that will stay longer in the memory is the Test match and the rebirth of England’s Ashes hopes.

Having myself chosen to stay at home and recover from the previous evening’s excesses with a carton of orange juice, keeping an eye on the cricket passed the afternoon nicely.

There was to be no relaxed viewing, however, as I almost paced a hole in the living room carpet in that final hour of one of the most astonishing cricketing feats of any era.

England didn’t expect, merely gasped as Ben Stokes bludgeoned, swept, drove and cut his way to the most unlikely of victories.

He could possibly turn into the greatest all-rounder of all time if he stays fit within a demanding calendar. His innings was jam-packed with bravery, luck, invention, skill, drama; with victory came a primal roar from Headingley which echoed throughout the land.

The Ashes can transcend sport and now we have the stubborn brilliance of Smith versus the power of Archer and the unforgettable fire of Stokes to enjoy as the caravan moves on to Lancashire.

*As some of our more technologically-minded fans may have seen on social media, this Saturday’s supporters’ bus to Woking is in need of a couple more bookings to make sure that it runs.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in this situation several times in a normal season owing to the massive amount of miles that we have to cover in such a southern-centric league.

For those interested, the bus will leave Ramsden Square at 06:30 on Saturday. Other pick ups are available by request, and the fee to travel is £35 for Bluebirds Trust members or £40 for non-members.

You can book by emailing info@bluebirdstrust.co.uk or calling / texting Jamie Moore on 07444 026795.

Woking are flying high at the top of the table and it promises to be an intriguing challenge for our Barrow side. Having been on many of these trips in the last few years, I can honestly say that it’s quite often these games – which seem on paper like the kind of grounds we would love to escape with a draw – where we get some of our most memorable results.

I for one will be following the game with real expectation that we can make it a memorable day for the travellers.