BARROW v WOKING
3pm on Saturday 4 April 2009
Can Graham Baker pull off another escape act for the Cards? With co- caretaker manager Neil Smith, Graham steered Woking to safety in 2007 after Glenn Cockerill had been sacked with half a dozen games to go. The task looks even more difficult this time round, with the Cards languishing in 22nd place and still traumatised after a 5-1 mauling at Kingfield on Wednesday night at the hands of Kidderminster Harriers. They travel to Barrow on Saturday in the first of three successive away games in seven days, from which at least two wins are required. The Cards? only hope now is that they can muster enough points to overhaul Weymouth and leave Grays too in the lurch. But optimism is hard to come by at Kingfield right now!
WOKING
It will be interesting to see Graham?s team selection on Saturday. His hands will no doubt be tied considerably by Woking?s appalling injury list: Phil Gilchrist was certainly desperately unlucky in that respect at least. Graham, though, had a strong work ethic as a footballer and has maintained that as a coach, so one or two of Kingfield?s under-achievers can expect to find themselves out of favour.
It seems that, among the injured, Micah Hyde was closest to a return midweek, and his experience and guile would certainly be an asset in these crucial games.
What Woking really need, though, is someone who will put the ball in the net! With only 31 goals scored in 40 games, only Lewes have scored fewer goals in the BSP.
BARROW
The Bluebirds looked an even poorer side than us when they came to Kingfield recently but their home record of 7 wins, 7 draws and 5 defeats, with 23 goals scored and 21 conceded, suggests that they are a much tougher proposition at Holker Street.
Barrow have notched a couple of crucial wins since their visit to Kingfield, having had the good fortune to be pitched against Weymouth (3-0 win away) and Lewes (2-0 win at home). They also gained a very creditable 1-1 draw at Wrexham on Thursday night, with an injury-time equaliser from Nick Rogan. They now lie in 17th place, with 43 points from 39 games, six more points than Woking with one game in hand.
The grey-haired Paul Jones is a rock at the heart of the Bluebirds? defence. Up front, Barrow recently recruited the bruising Lee McEvilly but he managed to get himself sent off at Lewes and will miss Saturday?s game. Lee Hunt, though, has been in good form.
Previous encounters
7 March 2009: Woking 1-0 Barrow
The Cards dominated this game with some enterprising attacking play but a mix of poor finishing and some obdurate defending from Paul Jones and keeper Alan Martin restricted the Cards? lead to a single, deflected, strike from Oliver Bozanic in the 22nd minute. It was a nervous last ten minutes but the Cards held onto all three points for a crucial win.
Getting there
Barrow AFC
Holker Street Stadium,
Wilkie Road,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria, LA14 5UW.
Tel/Fax. 01229 823061
By coach
Leaves 6.30am; ?28 members, ?34 non-members; phone the Club Shop on Friday or just turn up
By car
M6 Junction 36, onto A590 signposted Barrow. Follow A590 all the way to the outskirts of Barrow, entering via industrial route towards Town Centre. Passing the fire station on the right, take the next left into Wilkie Road. The ground is on the right-hand side. Post code for Sat-Nav is LA14 5UW
By train
Nearest station, Barrow-in-Furness. On leaving the station, exit onto Holker Street. Turn right and ground is approximately ? mile on the left. Trains take 5 ? hours via Vauxhall, London Euston and Lancaster. Returns start from ?91.70. Look up www.thetrainline.com for details . Come on, you Cards!
Come on, you Cards!