Barrow came through their latest, and toughest pre-season test with a creditable 2-1 win at South Shields.
Kevin Phillips’ side just missed out on promotion to National North last season and are expected to be strong favourites to go one better this time.
They had started the stronger, too, and Barrow keeper Paul Farman made the first save of note on ten minutes tipping a Michael Woods shot over the bar for a corner.
It was Myles Boney, the Shields’ goalkeeper who had to pull off the first outstanding save when he prevented Richie Bennett from finishing-off Robbie Gotts’ cross from close range.
The first goal came in the 23rd minute from the penalty sport for a foul by Shields’ defender Dylan Mottley-Henryand Josh Kay sent Boney the wrong way to give Barrow the lead.
There was an injury scare for Barrow when striker Richie Bennett was the victim of a strong challenge, and another summer recruit Billy Waters came on to replace him.
Former Carlisle United defender Gary Liddle put in a great last-second tackle to prevent Kay from getting a shot away in a great position.
Pete Wild’s side doubled their lead in first half injury time, as Barrow’s newest recruit Harrison Neal, rose highest to a Sam Foley corner and headed home.
Wild made two changes at half-time as George Ray replaced Niall Canavan and Patrick Brough made way for a trialist.
Waters was close to adding a third when he was sent through by a fine ball from Kay but man of the match Boney managed to keep out his effort on the run.
The home side pulled one back with a clever finish from Sam Hodgson who curled his shot beyond the reach of Farman.
In the closing minutes the trialist should have scored a third for Barrow after good work from Jordan Stevens but couldn’t finish off.
