BARROW AFC's season will be decided by 46 National League games over the course of nine months.

But some games are sure to be bigger than others, and here the Evening Mail picks out five which could be key.

BARROW AFC v ALDERSHOT

(Saturday, August 6)

THE opening day of the season and the first chance to find out where the Bluebirds stand.

Have they built on the momentum from the end of last year, when they lost just one of their final 14 matches, and will new signings such as Ross Hannah, Paul Turnbull and Richie Bennett impress?

The Shots are sure to be tough opposition, with similar goals for the year ahead, and a good gauge of where Paul Cox's side are at.

Of course, Barrow beat Dover 2-1 at Holker Street on the opening day last season, and that was far from an indication of what was to follow.

TRANMERE ROVERS v BARROW AFC

(Tuesday, August 9)

SURELY the nadir of last season – and the game which saw Paul Cox start to make major changes to the Barrow set-up – came with the 4-3 defeat to Tranmere at Holker Street.

When Barrow travel to meet the Cheshire side this time round in their first away fixture, there will be added flavour after they captured Andy Cook from AFC during the summer.

Both fixtures between the teams were won by the away side last season. Barrow will want to take all six points from rivals such as Rovers this time if they are to push higher up the table.

BARROW AFC v GATESHEAD

(Boxing Day)

THE Christmas fixture list this year is slimmed down compared to the usual four or five matches.

Instead, Barrow will play on Boxing Day and New Year's Day against Gateshead with no game in between.

Depending on how the season has gone to this point and what follows, it should be one of the biggest crowds of the season at Holker Street and a fine atmosphere – provided the weather plays ball, which it did not last year.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS v BARROW AFC

(Saturday, October 1)

AN early sign of the struggles Barrow were to endure at the start of last season was in their heavy away defeats to Grimsby and Forest Green Rovers.

AFC shipped eight goals in the space of five August days and fell from fourth to 18th at the drop of a hap following their opening-day success against Dover.

This time, they travel to Gloucestershire in October and they should be into their stride. AFC know they will have to put in a good performance against a side who once again just missed out of promotion last term.

A strong display here will be an indication that Cox has carried forward his impressive away record from last year, when they lost only once in the league on their travels in 2016.

BARROW AFC v DOVER ATHLETIC

(Saturday, April 29)

THE last day of the season and everyone will be hoping there will be a lot riding on the match against Dover – the team they hosted on the opening day last season.

Whether that be promotion – at the most optimistic – a play-off spot, or a highest finish in the Conference since the drop out of the Football League (the current best is eighth in 1981/82).

Relegation is surely not a consideration – though teams have thought that in the past and been bitten as a result – and the hope is that more progress will have been made.

Dover are a side with play-off hopes of their own after missing out in the semi-finals last season and both teams could go into the game with all the play for.