IAN’S NEW FLOCK OF BLUEBIRDS HIT THE MARK

IT WAS just the start that Barrow boss Ian Evatt wanted but it was a rude awakening for National League newcomers Havant & Waterlooville.

Jack Hindle’s brace and a goal from new signing Tyler Smith got the Bluebirds’ new campaign off to the perfect start as they humbled Havant & Waterlooville at Holker Street.

Despite seeing his troops get themselves up and running with a comfortable triumph, Evatt is preaching caution having shuffled his pack significantly during the summer.

The Barrow boss said: “In the first half, we were not quite ourselves – the first time we linked four or five passes together, we scored.

“To be honest, I was going to have a go at Jack Hindle at half-time – until that first goal went in.

“It will take time. You have to realise we had ten players making a debut, so it was a fantastic result and I’m really pleased for the players for the effort they put in during pre-season.

“There were bound to be nervous but in the second half, we showed the quality I am looking for.”

Meanwhile, Havant manager Lee Bradbury wasn’t too down-hearted by his side’s defeat.

“Apart from the goals, there was nothing between the teams,” he said.

“I thought we performed reasonably well and probably had the better chances.

“We switched off at a corner and got punished, conceded an effort from long range, and then our keeper was unsighted. “It wasn’t our day. We were just not on it.” Wesley Fogden had a good chance for the visitors but shot straight at the home keeper and the first real excitememt came when Jordan Rose sliced a clearance but it went straight into the arms of the visiting keeper. It took 15 minutes before there was a substatinal shot on target, which came from the visitors. But with five minutes to go to the break, Hindle fired home for Barrow and it became a different game. However, Havant looked dangerous at times and just after Hindle’s first goal, Andrew Firth came to Barrow’s rescue – not for the first time – to keep out a header from Eddie Harris. But in the 56th minute, Barrow went two-up when Tyler Smith took advantage of poor marking at a corner to net. There was nearly a swift response from the visitors when Alfie Pavey fired in from wide out on the left and the ball found its way across a crowded goalmouth before hitting the far post and bouncing away. Havant hadn’t given up the fight but Firth pulled off one good save after another and the home side wrapped up the points in the 72nd minute when Hindle dispatched a richlydeserved second. STAR MAN: Andrew Firth (Barrow) ATT: 1,389 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★☆☆ REFEREE: Martin Woods 8/10