Jason Taylor will be up against one of his former clubs when he lines up for Barrow AFC at Eastleigh tomorrow and he know he and his teammates will need to be on top of their game again.

Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory at Wrexham, who began the day second in the National League, was one of the Bluebirds’ best performances of the season, as one of the division’s leading lights were outplayed on their own ground.

The Dragons were added to a list of scalps that also includes Solihull Moors and Salford City and AFC will be up against another side who are riding high in the table.

Eastleigh, who defeated them 3-0 at Holker Street earlier in the season, are one of the in-form sides in the league, with seven wins in their last eight games taking them up to sixth place.

Taylor said: “Eastleigh are in really good form – they’re an ex-club of mine and Ben Strevens is doing a really, really good job. He’s got all of their lads playing for him and they’re a good side.

“Obviously, we owe them one because they gave us a good hiding at our place, so we need to make sure we’re on it at the weekend.”

Taylor, who played for the Spitfires two seasons ago, is pleased that the Bluebirds will be making the 300-mile plus trip to Hampshire the day before the game, which has been standard practice for most of their lengthier journeys this season.

He feels it should help the players’ preparation for the game more than if they travelled down on the day, which was the case during their last game ‘down south,’ at Barnet, where they were slow to get going.

“It’s another long trip for us and we’re going to have to make sure we prepare properly,” Taylor said.

“It’s another four or five-hour journey on a Friday and it’s going to be an overnight stay for us. Personally, I prefer to go the night before, when it’s a long journey – anything over two hours.

“You’re preparing properly, the other team aren’t getting a leg-up over you, you can have a lie-in in the morning and start the day with a leisurely stroll and get to the game at a reasonable time.”

With AFC potentially having five defenders out for the match at the Silverlake Stadium, Taylor, usually a consistent performer in midfield, may have to drop back again, having been part of a back three at Wrexham.

He said: “It is what it is, we picked up a couple of knocks on Tuesday, so we’ll just have to see where we are, regarding bodies on Saturday.”

n In Thursday’s Junior Sport section, it was reported that Victoria Academy had earned the right to represent Barrow AFC in the regional finals of the National League Under-11 Cup.

The club has been in touch to inform us that isn’t the case, as they will not be entering a team in this year’s competition and we are happy to clarify this.