NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULT

Barrow AFC 2 Woking 1

THE Paul Cox era got off to a great start at a windswept Holker Street, where Steve Williams’ first goal for the club blew away Woking’s chances of escaping Furness with a positive result.

‘New manager syndrome’ was swirling around as Barrow looked hungry for success from the outset – a stark contrast to seven days earlier when a dismal first-half showing sent them on their way to a 3-1 reverse at Dover.

Andy Cook was paired up front with new loan striker Liam Hearn – on debut following his switch from Lincoln – and AFC’s top-scorer headed home within the first five minutes to bag his 13th National League goal of the season.

Barrow controlled much of the first period but, playing with the strong wind behind them, could not kill the game off.

Their character was tested in the second period after Joey Jones delivered his own headed goal to level matters shortly after the restart.

But Barrow passed the test with flying colours.

After their play fell flat in the wake of Jones’ leveller, they eventually burst back into life, with Williams’ decisive contribution handing Cox his maiden win as Barrow boss on the day he took charge for the first time.

Williams was recalled to the side because fellow centre-back Danny Livesey was ruled out with a groin injury.

Left-back Nick Wilmer-Anderton resumed starting duties after serving a three-match ban, while suspended midfielder Niall Cowperthwaite dropped out of the side as did forward Jason Walker, who was not even named as a substitute.

On-loan Carlisle striker Steven Rigg endured a Bluebirds debut to forget as he was stretchered off soon after arriving as an 80th-minute substitute after sustaining ankle ligament damage.

Barrow quickly got going and did not have to rely on the gale force winds to push them forward as they set an impressively fast tempo and got about their visitors.

They handed Cox a dream start by taking the lead on four minutes, when Dave Symington swung over a cross from the right.

Cook met the full-back’s delivery at the far post and expertly guided his header into the corner of the net.

Woking – who came into the game still glowing from their 4-1 victory over Tranmere – were struggling to deal with Barrow’s high-octane approach, although they went on to pose an attacking threat in making home stopper Joel Dixon work.

On 14 minutes, livewire winger Otis Khan aimed a 25-yard shot wide, before John Goddard’s effort was snuffed out at the other end.

Paddy Lacey and David Mellor were competing well in the centre, although the former’s long-range punt veered well off target. Bruno Andrade’s outside-of-the-box strike was easily gathered by Dixon.

The pace of the game decreased and Barrow generally looked composed in possession. Mellor let fly from distance, on 26 minutes, with his drive hitting the bar before Dixon was forced into a hurried clearance on the edge of his area.

Andy Haworth fired over before the break and, after it, Woking hit back and then took control for a spell.

Just three minutes into the second half, Jones connected with Andrade’s set-piece and headed the ball through Dixon’s grasp – the keeper got at least one hand to the effort but was unable to keep it out.

Woking were on top as Simon Grand surrendered possession. But if Dixon was disappointed not to have denied Jones’ header, he made amends by getting sufficient contact on the ball to send Andrade’s angled shot wide of the far left-hand post.

Barrow started to motor again, the likes of Khan stepping up a gear.

Cook was unable to get a shot off, before Hearn’s attempt was saved by advanced Woking keeper Jake Cole.

The woodwork denied the hosts again on 65 minutes. A Hearn shot was blocked, before Cook’s strike struck the left-hand post.

Khan drove forward and his drive – struck from the left channel – was deflected wide.

Jones was booked for a foul on Hearn and worse was to follow for the Cards as Barrow’s ace in the pack, Williams, strode forward for the resulting set-piece on 73 minutes.

Khan’s well-directed free-kick prompted Cole to go walk-about but he missed the ball. Williams did not and he nodded home with the Woking stopper left stranded in no man’s land.

Barrow had to survive a few scares as Dixon saw off attempts from Jimmy Keohane – whose shot was tipped over the bar by the keeper – Goddard and Daniel Holman.

But they kept their lead intact to hand Cox the perfect start to his managerial reign.

Barrow AFC: Joel Dixon, Dave Symington, Steve Williams, Simon Grand, Nick Wilmer-Anderton, Otis Khan, David Mellor, Paddy Lacey, Andy Haworth (Dan Pilkington 46), Liam Hearn (Steven Rigg 80 - Alex-Ray Harvey 85), Andy Cook.

Substitutes not used: Aaran Taylor, Ryan O'Reilly.

Woking: Jake Cole, Chris Arthur, Mark Ricketts, Brian Saah, Joey Jones, John Goddard, Matthew Robinson (Jimmy Keohane 62), Bruno Andrade, Joseph Quigley (Kadell Daniel 55), Daniel Holman, Cameron Norman (Jake Caprice 82).

Substitutes not used: Nick Hamman, Terrell Thomas.

Referee: Tom Nield.

Attendance: 1,115.