By Matt Lawton
November 1 2006

After Monday night’s trip to Hinckley, RMI face a similarly lengthy journey on Saturday afternoon when they travel north to take on fellow strugglers Barrow. With striker Chris Simm suspended for the visit to Cumbria following his sending off in the 1-1 draw with Scarborough nearly two weeks ago, former Preston North End striker Mark Jackson is set to make his debut after arriving earlier in the week from Conference National side Southport. Jackson is set to be partnered up front by Dan Owen, RMI’s goalscorer in the 3-1 defeat at Hinckley on Monday evening.

The sides go in to the game locked on twelve points, with only RMI’s superior goal difference separating them from the final place in the relegation zone that is currently occupied by Saturday’s hosts.

While RMI were without a game on Saturday prior to visiting Hinckley on Monday evening, Barrow were in FA Cup action, eventually coming out 3-2 victors over Unibond League side Marine, setting up a potentially money-spinning tie at home to Coca-Cola League side Bristol Rovers in the First Round Proper of the competition. That particular game is already attracting nationwide interest after it was confirmed by the BBC that their Match of the Day programme would be showing extended highlights from Holker Street, but Barrow’s management team will be more concerned at the present time with their ongoing relegation battle as they, like RMI, look to avoid the dreaded drop in to Unibond League oblivion.

Last season's visit to Barrow ended with RMI falling to a 3-1 defeat, despite taking the lead through an early Ryan McDowell goal, while the return fixture at Hilton Park saw the sides come out even in a 1-1 draw.

The ninety-mile journey from Hilton Park to Barrow’s home ground at Holker Street can be completed in just under two hours via the M61, M6 and A590 in to Barrow-in-Furness. Admission prices start at £9 for adults, £6 for concessions and £3 for children aged under fourteen years, while programmes cost £2.