VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

BARROW AFC 3 (Yussuf 20, White 47, 84) WOKING 0

JORDAN White scored a brace and Adi Yussuf his first for Barrow as the Bleubirds took their maiden victory of the National League season.

It was a frantic start as Yussuf beat the offside trap, but was forced wide and hit the ball at Nathan Baxter, before Joseph Ward met a cross at the far post for the visitors and rifled a low shot goal-bound, where Stuart Moore did well to block with his legs.

Bedsente Gomis headed wide from an Alex-Ray Harvey cross from the left, with both defences struggling to keep tabs on the opposing attack.

Barrow went close as Jordan White flicked on one of Dan Jones’ dangerous throws into the area, but his effort went the wrong side of the far post.

The deadlock was broken as Harvey produced a superb ball over the defence to find Yussuf. He had beaten the offside trap and followed the path of the ball to loft it over the on-rushing Baxter with a sublime single touch that ended in the back of the net.

Yussuf lasted only 20 minutes more before a hamstring issue saw him replaced by Dan Cockerline, with Jordan White heading over less than a minute after the substitution.

The lead was double in chaotic circumstances early in the second half as Jones throw was only partly cleared and White met it with a header by the post which looped up and in at the opposite side of the goal.

There were off-target efforts from Asa Hall, White – who should have found the goal with another header – and Cockerline while Barrow managed to contain the Woking attacks.

Jimmy Dunne hit the bar with a flick-on from another dangerous Jones throw into the area as AFC pushed for a game-settling third, while Cockerline fired a low effort right at Baxter.

The third arrived from a corner as White met it amid a crowd at the near post and his flick went into the far corner of the goal.

Effiong had another chance saved by Moore as he was one-on-one with the AFC keeper, while White hit wide after good work by Cockerline to feed him at the near post.

Paul Cox kept faith with the side that drew 0-0 against FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night, though the bench saw the introduction of French teenager Donovan Makoma after his international clearance came through.

Dave Nieskens retained his place at the heart of the defence alongside Moussa Diarra and Jimmy Dunne, with Thierry Audel still on the bench.

Woking featured former AFC striker Effiong up front. Effiong scored on the opening day of the season for the Cards, as they beat Gateshead, having had an unsuccessful three-month spell at the Bluebirds last season.

Barrow AFC (3-5-2): Stuart Moore, Jack Barthram, Dan Jones, Jimmy Dunne, Moussa Diarra, Dave Nieskens, Alex-Ray Harvey, Asa Hall, Bedsente Gomis (Donovan Makoma 87), Jordan White (Harry Panayiotou 90), Adi Yussuf (Dan Cockerline 41).

Substitutes Not Used: Thierry Audel, Liam Hughes.

Yellow Cards: Diarra (45), Dunne (77).

Woking (4-2-3-1): Nathan Baxter, Louis Ramsey, Nathan Ralph, Joshua Staunton, Richard Orlu, Joey Jones, Jordan Wynter (Chez Isaac 63), Bobson Bawling (Kane Ferdinand 70), Charlie Carter (Jamie Philpot 53), Joseph Ward, Inih Effiong.

Substitutes Not Used: Declan Appau, Matt Young.

Yellow Cards: Orlu (89).

Referee: Marc Edwards.

Attendance: 1,075 (38 from Woking).

Next Game: Solihull Moors v Barrow AFC, Tuesday, 7.45pm.