Last updated at 15:07, Friday, 23 July 2010

RAIDERS boss Steve McCormack was scathing in his assessment of his side’s first-half performance as suffered a 42-34 defeat to Halifax at Craven Park.

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ON THE FLOOR: Halifax’s Dominic Maloney brushes aside Barrow’s Paul Noone and Keal Carlile during the first half of Fax’s 42-34 win at Craven Park last night , during which Barrow went 24-0 down JON GRANGER REF: 50008631B020

The Barrow coach described as ‘disgraceful’ an opening 40 minutes when the home team were played off the park by a Fax outfit who led 24-0 at the break.

A much-improved second half display could not paper over the cracks of a dire opening and McCormack did not hold back in his post-match comments.

“We were disgraceful, it’s as simple as that,” said McCormack of a first half where Jon Goddard (twice), Dylan Nash and Dave Wrench scored for Fax. “I can dress it up as much as I want, but we – and I include myself in that – in the first half showed no pride, no collective effort and I thought we were disgraceful.

“Fair play to the lads. They came out in the second half a totally different team, but if anything that makes it even more frustrating.

“That whole game sums up our season – we are either very, very good, or very ordinary and we have got to make decisions about how good we are going to be this season because that first half was totally unacceptable.”

The second-half resurgence saw Barrow come within two points of their visitors with five minutes to go in a match that was sure to have thrilled broadcasters Sky Sports, who had chosen to screen the repeat of last year’s Grand Final.

Jamie Rooney, home debutant Keal Carlile, Michael Knowles, Martin Ostler, Andreas Bauer and Liam Harrison all scored tries in a great turnaround, but Fax efforts from Sam Barlow, Shad Royston and, right at the death, Michael Worrincy, meant it was all in vain.

“We showed no effort in the first half,” added an obviously disappointed McCormack. “I’ve got to take responsibility when it comes to that.

“The one thing you have got to do, certainly when it comes to playing at this ground in front of our supporters is show that effort and we didn’t do that in the first half.

“Some individuals, who do it week in, week out, were excellent, but you could count them on one hand.

“The second half was totally different, but the game was gone by then.

“You can’t afford to give anybody that start, let alone a team like Halifax. I thought they were excellent and really put us to the sword in that second half.

“I will take a few positives from the second half, We have shown that we can play under pressure.

“I said to the players at half-time that there was no hiding place. I certainly wasn’t going to dig myself a hole, jump into it and cover myself with soil.

“I stepped out onto that touchline and I expected them to do exactly the same thing.

“They did that, to be fair, and hopefully we will learn from it.”

First published at 13:06, Friday, 23 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk