Published at 16:33, Monday, 20 August 2012

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BARROW AFC manager Dave Bayliss is expecting a physical battle against Woking tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

The Bluebirds take on The Cards for the first time since 2008/09 – when Woking, despite later getting relegated, won both encounters 1-0.

Bayliss has seen his side draw their first two games of this season – at home against AFC Telford United and away at Hyde – 0-0.

He must now decide whether to stick with the 4-5-1 formation deployed at Hyde in midweek or go back to the 4-4-2 set-up used in the season-opener.

If Bayliss opts to go with two strikers, that could mean a recall for local lad Joe Jackson to play up front alongside Adam Boyes.

Another player pushing for a start is winger Aaron Cole, who has been used only as a late substitute in the previous two games.

Whatever decisions he makes on formation and personnel, Bayliss expects a tough game at Kingfield Stadium in Surrey.

“It will be a different type of game this weekend, compared to the one in midweek,” said the Bluebirds boss.

“Woking are a big, physical side. Hyde like to get it down and pass it a bit more, probably.

“Again, it throws a difficult challenge up for us, but a different one.”

Barrow, who were set to travel south today and stay overnight in accommodation, have kept two clean sheets but have themselves failed to hit the back of the net in their first two games of the season.

The Bluebirds sit 17th on two points, one behind Woking, who, after a 3-1 defeat at Wrexham, beat Dartford 1-0 at home on Tuesday.

Bayliss said: “We’ll chip away and keep adding those points up.

“We will go into this weekend’s game with a positive attitude, which we always do.

“We just need a little bit more quality in the final third of the pitch and we will be okay.”

Defender Matt Flynn (fractured cheekbone) and midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey (knee) remain sidelined with injuries.

Barrow (from): Hurst, M Pearson, Skelton, Hessey, Anderson, Owen, Hunter, Baker, Rutherford, Rowe, Boyes, S Pearson, Hoskin, Cole, Anoruo, Jackson, Mukendi.

Tomorrow’s Conference fixtures: AFC Telford v Braintree Town, Alfreton Town v Hereford, Cambridge Utd v Southport, Ebbsfleet United v Wrexham, Gateshead v Forest Green, Grimsby v Nuneaton, Kidderminster v Mansfield, Macclesfield v Dartford, Newport County v Lincoln City, Tamworth v Stockport, Woking v Barrow.

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