Now bring it on for real

Last updated 12:07, Thursday, 11 September 2008

Andy Bond

AFTER a mixed bag of friendly results, the Bluebirds go into this Friday’s Conference opener on a head of steam.

The 2-1 win over Accrington made it a second consecutive victory at Holker Street over Football League opposition, leading on nicely from Wednesday’s 3-1 triumph over Oldham Athletic.

And with leading scorer Nick Rogan still on the sidelines, Jason Walker – who has trialled with Stanley in two previous close seasons – showed a welcome goal touch with another brace.

There was also a rousing round of applause at half-time for Lee Woodyatt, who appeared in front of the stands on crutches after breaking his leg at Kendal the previous Saturday.

Accrington, who are predicted to struggle this season in League Two, fielded a near full strength team with Blackburn loanee Jamie Clark showing early pace up front. However, Barrow soon got to grips with midfield and Mark Boyd’s teasing pass narrowly eluded the forward run of Andy Bond.

The visitors’ midfield stalwart Ian Craney curled one shot narrowly over before Barrow took the lead after being awarded a free-kick 25 yards out on 13 minutes.

Boyd, who himself enjoyed a spell with Accrington in their Conference days, saw his measured shot bounce off the far post with Walker first to react to head home into the unguarded net.

New signing Mike Pearson, now in the vacant Woodyatt right-back spot, made a good overlapping run but his cross curled just over the bar.

A Boyd corner saw skipper Paul Jones hook over just beyond the far post while at the other end Tim Deasy got down well to a skimming low shot from Chris King.

Matt Henney was bundled over chasing Walker’s flick in the area but had the penalty appeal was turned down before the Bluebirds deservedly doubled the lead on 28 minutes.

Triallist Carlos Logan, formerly with Darlington and Bradford City, got clear down the left flank and his low cross was collected beyond the far post by Lee Hunt.

The striker waited his moment before picking out Walker who volleyed emphatically home from 15 yards.

Rogan — his partner-in-crime last season — was restricted to a role as radio summariser on Saturday and revealed that he is unlikely to be fit for the league opener against Oxford.

In his continued absence, Bond nearly got in on the goal-scoring act but his low shot from the edge of the area hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

The announcement that a wedding party were at the match added to the half-time gaiety although Woodyatt served as a more sombre reminder of the fickle nature of the game.

The second half was comparatively bereft of action — and fortunately crippling tackles — although Paul Tait put in fellow substitute Paul Brown for a shot deflected for a corner kick.

Barrow, who looked comfortable at the back, were only four minutes from keeping their first clean sheet of the pre-season when Craney gave Deasy no chance with a free-kick in the top corner from just outside the area.

So the Bluebirds go into the season proper on the back of a deserved win although Morecambe — 2-0 winners at Holker Street last month — are probably a better League Two yardstick to measure up against.

Barrow: Deasy, Pearson, Elderton, Jones, McNulty, Henney, Bond (Winn 87), Boyd, Hunt, Walker (Tait 82), Logan (Brown 57).

Subs not used: Taylor, Sheridan, Bayliss, Thompson.

Accrington: Arthur, Cavanagh, King, Edwards, Murdock (Williams 65), Ryan, Miles (Turner 80), Craney, Clark, Mullin, Richardson (Grant 55).

Referee: D Bond

Attendance: 430