IT will be an interesting evening for all concerned when we make a rare trip north from the Racecourse and head up the M6 to take on Barrow at Holker Street on Tuesday evening.

Facing the Dragons will be a number of old faces, we come up against Simon Spender, Phil Bolland, Lee McEvilly and now Paul Edwards - all managed by Dave Bayliss!

Both Simon and Phil have been with the Bluebirds all season, while Lee was a recent signing from Marine and they were joined last week when 'Eddie' put pen to paper on a short term deal.

With Gareth Jelleyman missing for last Saturday's first leg of the Salisbury FA Trophy semi-final tie, with a hamstring strain, the former Port Vale man was signed as cover.

The 30-year-old had been without a club this season due to injury, but had been training with Barrow recently.

Barrow had also hoped to sign West Brom youngster, Kayleden Brown, in time for the cup tie, but unfortunately the paperwork could not be finalised prior to the 12 noon deadline.

Left winger, Brown though, will be eligible for the Conference campaign, beginning with visit this week.

Barrow joint managers David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan will wait on the fitness of three key players before naming their side.

Andy Bond (knee) is doubtful but Jason Walker (hamstring) and Robin Hulbert (hamstring) may be available.

Meanwhile, it was another player just back to fitness who grabbed the headlines last weekend, as Gregg Blundell scored the goal that puts Barrow halfway to fulfilling their Wembley dream.

The 32-year-old striker bundled the ball across the line with 15 minutes to go at the Ray Mac Stadium, as the Bluebirds beat Salisbury City 1-0 in their FA Trophy clash.

A draw in the second leg at Holker Street next Saturday will be enough to book Barrow a place in the final.

It's the first time that AFC - who this year celebrate the 20th anniversary of their only FA Trophy final success - have ever beaten Salisbury.

Their previous three attempts all ended without a Barrow goal scored. Blundell put that record to bed with a goal-line finish that, depending on who you speak to, went in off either his midriff or, shall we say, groin area.

"I'd like to say it was a 20-yard screamer but, you know, it was just one of them scruffy goals, not one of my best," said the Liverpudlian frontman.

"I just bundled it in really. The keeper saved my first shot, then, from the rebound, my header's hit the inside of the post. I followed it in again and the only thing I could do was bundle it into the net.

"It was an important goal and I'm well happy to have grabbed it for the lads. It's good for your own confidence to get a goal, even if it does go in off your midriff!"

AFC joint-manager Dave Bayliss said: "It was an unorthodox way of getting it over, I think it hit him in the testicles, but they all count.

"It doesn't say in the papers what part of the body put the ball over the line, it just says Blundell goal, and we'll settle for that."

Bayliss added of Blundell: "It gives us a different dimension when Gregg plays. I think he's unfairly had a bit of stick off certain sections of people, but you can see how honest the lad is. He runs and runs and runs. He's had a virus this week and to put a shift in today like he did is a credit to the lad."

Barrow set their stall out not to concede and tried to hit their frustrated hosts, who had skipper Darrell Clarke sent off in injury-time, on the break. The game plan worked, with Blundell giving AFC a crucial advantage.

Both Bayliss and Blundell, however, warned that there is still a lot of work to do in the second leg before Barrow can start thinking about a trip to Wembley.

"We battled tremendously hard," said Bayliss, whose relegation-threatened side entertain Wrexham at Holker Street in Blue Square Premier tomorrow night.

"We knew we'd get one or two chances with the way we played. That happened and we took one of the chances near the end. The tie though is far from over. The lads are calm in the dressing room, they know there's a long way to go.

"No-one is getting carried away, we've only done half a job. Of course we want to go to Wembley and for everyone to enjoy that day, but there's a long way to go."

Blundell, who recovered from illness to start in place of the cup-tied Nick Chadwick, added: "It was a really difficult game for us to come and play in. The first half hour was a bit of a battle, but we knew that if we stuck to our game plan we'd give ourselves a chance of getting a result, and that's what happened in the end.

"It's like half-time again really, that's how we have to view it. If you start looking too far ahead you're going to shoot yourself in the foot. There's still a massive task ahead and we're looking forward to it."

Barrow handed a debut to new signing Paul Edwards at left-back. The 30-year-old former Football League player, replaced the injured Gareth Jelleyman.

"It was a big game to come into and I'm just glad I could play my part for the lads and for the club," said Edwards.

"The tie, however, is nowhere near over, it's only half-time. But we know enough about them (Salisbury) and have seen plenty today, so we know what to expect when they come back to Barrow for the second leg. I feel quite confident."

Bayliss added: "I thought Paul Edwards was fantastic. As the game went on he got better and better, fitter and stronger."

Barrow officials are hoping Holker Street will be near its 4,414 capacity for the semi-final second leg and are urging supporters to buy their tickets in advance.

Barrow Evening Mail

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