Last updated 12:06, Wednesday, 20 August 2008
ASHLEY Winn is aiming to make up for lost time when he gets his competitive debut for Barrow AFC on Saturday, writes LEE PROCTER.
“It’s been a nightmare not being able to play,” said the central midfielder, who lives in Yarm, near Middlesbrough.
“It’s been horrible watching from the stand, but the team has done really well.
“I can’t wait to get out there. Hopefully I might get a run out on Saturday and show everyone what I can do.
“I’m looking forward to it so much it’s unbelievable.”
Winn – who starred for Stalybridge Celtic when Barrow beat the Greater Manchester outfit in last season’s Conference North play-off final – joined the Bluebirds in July on a 12-month deal with a further year’s option.
The former Oldham Athletic man impressed in the first few games of pre-season before it emerged that he would have to serve a three-game ban for totting up 15 yellow cards last term.
“As far as I was aware I had 14 bookings and the season was over,” said Winn.
“I got booked in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals and the FA have said that counts.
“I think that’s totally wrong because the season was over. I was punished for having three more games.
“(Barrow joint-manager Dave Bayliss) Bayles pulled me to one side. He thought I might have known, but I had no idea. He said ‘you could have told us.’ I had no idea what he was on about.
“It was a shock. I was flying, looking forward to the season starting, and then I found out about it.
“But it’s out of the way now, it’s done.”
Winn could come straight into the side in a move that would see Andy Bond switch to right-back as cover for Mike Pearson, who serves a one-game ban.
Bond had a spell at right wing-back under former manager Phil Wilson.
Bayliss said he and fellow joint manager Darren Sheridan were keeping their options open as regards the vacant right-back slot, and didn’t rule out bringing in a new face.
Whoever pulls on the jerseys on Saturday, Winn, a schools sports coach, is confident the Bluebirds can hand the Stags – relegated from the Football League last season – their first defeat of the new campaign.
“It’ll be an eye opener for them (Mansfield), coming down from the league and that.
“I don’t think they’ll know what’s hit them. They won’t be looking forward to it. The first five minutes we’ll really get in their faces and hopefully we’ll get the right result with a win.”
l Holker Old Boys last night crashed out of the FA Cup.
They lost 1-0 at St Helens Town in an extra-preliminary round replay.
