Last updated at 16:05, Friday, 30 December 2011

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT: Barrow AFC young guns Adam Boyes, Andy Cook and Jack Mackreth celebrate during Barrow’s 4-0 hammering of much-fancied Fleetwood with Paul Rutherford, a veteran in comparison at 24!

THE Bluebirds can look back on the first half of the 2011/12 Blue Square Bet Premier season with great pride.

Sitting tenth in the table, much closer on points to the play-offs than the relegation zone, Barrow AFC have not been better placed going into the new year in the four seasons since their return to non-league’s top division.

Following a summer overhaul of the squad, Barrow began the campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Tamworth, new striker Adam Boyes on target.

The one-time Manchester United triallist was on the scoresheet again three days later in a 3-1 defeat at York City, for whom former Bluebirds favourite Jason Walker netted.

It was at Bath City, however, in the third game of the season, that Barrow hit their stride.

Just 72 hours later, on a memorable night at Furness Building Society Stadium, Barrow served up one of their best performances in years to thump big-spending derby rivals Fleetwood Town 4-0 and move up to fifth in the table.

Outstanding hat-trick hero Andy Cook grabbed the headlines, while ecstatic home fans also celebrated an own goal scored by former AFC defender Paul Edwards.

Barrow returned to earth with a bump, losing 2-1 against both Gateshead and Southport.

A victory at Ebbsfleet United – when the age of Barrow’s midfield and strikers averaged just 20 – followed before the kids slayed previously unbeaten Welsh dragons Wrexham 3-1 at home, with an on-fire Boyes netting a brace.

Once again, however, such highs were followed by lows, as the Bluebirds lost to Mansfield and Alfreton.

And that has been the trend for much of the last three months, with the positives, including a run of three straight wins in October and the continuation of an awesome home record, outnumbering negatives such as the heavy defeats suffered at Luton and Grimsby.

A much more attacking and entertaining outfit to watch than last season, Barrow started the campaign by scoring in 22 successive games in all competitions.

This bettered the club’s previous best goal-scoring start to a season of 16 games, achieved in 1983/84.

And while the goals may not have flowed quite so freely in the past month or so, the team continue to create plenty of chances in almost every game.

At the back, Barrow have not been helped by a centre-half injury curse that has plagued both Pearson – now recovering from a broken leg – and skipper Phil Bolland.

Loan men Adam Quinn, Hayden Hollis and Danny Hone have all stepped in, with the latter, who is currently partnering Bolland at the heart of the defence, particularly impressive.

A serious knee injury, meanwhile, has ended central midfielder Robin Hulbert’s season, though the tenacious James Owen has proved a more-than-capable replacement.

Of the players brought in during the summer, three have really caught the eye – confident keeper Danny Hurst, who has proved himself one of non-league’s finest between the sticks, jet-heeled winger Mackreth and 18-goal top-scorer Boyes.

Fellow striker Cook has come on leaps-and-bounds this term, while preferred full-backs Gavin Skelton and Paul Smith and central midfielder Richie Baker have all performed well.

Winger Paul Rutherford has shown signs of returning to his brilliant best, while midfielder Andy Ferrell will hope to make a big impact in 2012.

The next four months promise much for this talented Bluebirds squad, and, with a bit of luck, the club could yet sneak into the play-off places and move a step closer to the ultimate dream – a return ticket back to the Football League.

THE Evening Mail’s Barrow AFC writer Lee Procter picks his five personal highs and lows from 2011:

HIGHS

* Hastings-based goalkeeper, and genuine nice guy, Clark Masters travelling a mammoth 730-mile round trip for home games. Talk about dedication!

* Teenager Louis Almond’s wonder-goal brace in January’s home victory over Kidderminster.

* Partnering Darren Sheridan in central midfield during a summer charity match at Giant Axe, Lancaster. Awesome experience. Did all his running!

* The discovery of Adam Boyes and Jack Mackreth. Two young players with the football world at their feet.

* The 4-0 thumping of Fleetwood at Holker Street this season. Barrow at their best.

LOWS

* The 2-0 home defeat against Tamworth in February. At the time, struggling Barrow, with just one win since the new year, looked on course to be relegated. Pressure was mounting on Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan, who for the first – and only – time refused to do a post-match interview.

* Paul Edwards winning three player-of-the-year awards and then turning down a new deal at AFC, to join big-spending rivals Fleetwood Town.

* Mike Pearson – arguably Barrow’s best defender – breaking his leg for a second time. The lad just has no luck.

* Getting hit for five at Luton and Grimsby this season. Long journeys home!

* Hearing some people boo Jason Walker - the man whose goal won Barrow the FA Trophy at Wembley in 2010 - on his return to Holker Street with York City.

First published at 13:09, Friday, 30 December 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk