CHIEF scout Paul Ogden says he was dazzled by new Barrow AFC recruit Bradley Bauress's goal-scoring nous from the first moment he saw him.

Odgen spent months watching the 21-year-old wideman in action for Northern Permier League outfit Witton Albion.

What he saw persuaded the experienced AFC talent-spotter that Bauress would be a perfect fit at Holker Street, and he was quick to convince manager Paul Cox that was the case as well.

Ogden used his relationships with Witton boss Carl Macauley – a fomer Barrow player – and chairman Mike Harris to ensure the Bluebirds were the first team to have a shot at the former Blackburn Rovers Under-21s captain, waiting until the end of the season to make a move, rather than spoil matters by trying to tie him up earlier.

It was a gambit that paid off, and Ogden is positive AFC have landed a high-quality player capable of making waves in the National League.

“The first time I went to watch him, I was completely drawn in by his ability," Ogden said of a player who netted 27 times in all competitions last season. "Sometimes that happens, so then you go back for a second time, and what impressed me most of all was that he was always in the right place at the right times, and he scores goals.

“Because I know the Witton Albion people very well, I did it in the correct way. He wanted to play at a higher level, but they asked if we wouldn't mind leaving it until the end of the season – they were in with a hope of promotion, the lad had done an awful lot to get them up there.

“Twenty-seven goals from wide areas is quite a commendable performance, and the way he takes his goals shows him as a quality player with potential.

“We've brought him to Barrow on a one-year contract, he understands precisely what we want to do with him. I'm pleased about it, and I just hope that now he fulfils his potential.”

Ogden added: “I first started watching him pre-Christmas, I followed it up with games in February, then I finally made my decision in March, when I discussed the situation with Witton.

“There were quite a number of clubs who wanted to sign him. Through my relationship with the manager and the chairman at Witton, I was given every opportunity to speak with him before anybody else did, and I'm pleased for Barrow that he has decided to come to the club.”

Bauress's arrival at Holker Street comes as another winger, Jordan Williams, looks set to head out to the Football League.

Ogden would not be drawn into make a straight comparison between the two men, but he believes Bauress can do a similar job to that which Williams has filled in the past 18 months, providing chances for the Barrow front-men to score.

“He's different to Jordan, he's more of a natural goal-scorer, which might seem strange,” said Ogden. “Jordan is a very strong, powerful player, with a very good left foot, and if a move does come off I would be very pleased he is having the opportunity to take his career forward.

“I don't want to try and build Bradley up too much. I don't want to compare him with Jordan, he's a different type of player, he's got good pace, and my word he sees things very quickly, which at this level, you've got to have that asset.

“When you think that we've brought Jordan White in as well, he's a very good specification for Barrow. There were a lot of clubs who didn't realise how quickly we managed we get that deal done. To Paul (Cox) and I, he's a brilliant signing.

“When you've got (Byron) Harrison and (Richie) Bennett, these guys need service. When you get balls in wider areas, they've got to have that service. We're working to a system to provide that.”