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Page last updated at 13:50 GMT, Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Barrow boss Dave Bayliss relishes Sunderland FA Cup tie

Barrow defender Phil Bolland
Defender Phil Bolland celebrates Barrow's opener against Oxford

Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss is relishing their FA Cup third round tie at Sunderland following their 3-1 home replay win over Oxford on Tuesday.

Bayliss told BBC Radio Cumbria: "There was no way our players were going to be denied a trip to Sunderland. We deserved to win.

"I would love them to put a full-strength side out. We don't want to play against their kids or reserves.

"We're not going there to lose. We'll go to Sunderland and try to win."

The win means Barrow have now lost just once in their last 16 games.

"We've got to keep that belief going," added Bayliss. "We couldn't ask any more of the players.

"It's fantastic for the club. We've had a lot of hard times in the past but if we can keep performing the way we are then things are looking good now.

"We have got to start believing how good we are and not about how good other teams are."

Goals from Phil Bolland, Carlos Logan and Marc Goodfellow sealed the replay win.

Blue Square Premier leading scorer James Constable got an injury-time consolation goal for the league leaders.

It is the second year in a row that Barrow have reached the third round - and the second year that they will face Premier League opposition from the North East.

Last season the Bluebirds pushed Middlesbrough all the way before eventually losing 2-1.

Jason Walker, who scored Barrow's goal at the Riverside, overcame a late injury scare to play in the victory over Oxford.

"It's brilliant for the club," he said. "Hopefully I can get another goal and this time maybe get a better result as well."

Walker, Andy Bond, Mike Pearson, Paul Jones, Carlos Logan, Mark Boyd and Tim Deasy are the only remaining members of the squad that travelled to Teesside last season, with a string of new players arriving at Holker Street during the summer.

Midfielder Robin Hulbert was one of the new arrivals, joining Barrow after being released by League Two side Darlington.

The 29-year-old, who has extensive experience in the Football League, said that the achievement of winning through to round three ranks among his finest during his time in the professional game.

"It's up there with the best that I've been involved in and it's going to be a good trip to Sunderland," said the former Port Vale mam.

"The two managers deserve it for what they've done for this club, to get to Middlesbrough and Sunderland is fairytale stuff.

"It's going to be a good day out for everyone. We can go there, there's no pressure and we can make some money for the club.

"It will be one of the best occasions for me. Deep inside you have that dream, you don't know what's going to happen."

Barrow will now receive another substantial financial boost from their trip to the Stadium of Light.

"This is a real boost, and we won't waste a penny at that club," said Bluebirds chairman Brian Keen.

"We'll use it for the good of the fans to improve at team level, the buildings and everything at the club."



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see also
Barrow 3-1 Oxford
08 Dec 09 |  FA Cup
FA Cup third round draw
29 Nov 09 |  Football
Oxford Utd 1-1 Barrow
28 Nov 09 |  FA Cup


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