BARROW AFC head coach Stephen Clemence is pleased to have a headache when it comes to selecting his first starting XI for the opening match of the season next week.

It comes after the Bluebirds edged past Wigan Athletic in their final pre-season match at Holker Street on Saturday courtesy of a 68th minute strike from Emile Acquah.

Speaking to club’s official YouTube channel he said: “I’ve seen good signs in a lot of the games we’ve plated in pre-season.

“I’ve been here five weeks now and the lads have really tried to take on some of the ideas that we’ve tried to implement. I felt a lot of that hard work came together against Wigan.

“I thought the boys put in a really good performance both in and out of possession.”

Clemence used most of his squad in the match and was pleased with how all of the players conducted themselves.

He added: “There has been some good game time again for the boys. I thought those that started the game did well and those that came on also contributed.

“I’ve still got decisions to make going into next weekend so fair play to the boys for giving me a headache.

“They’ve conducted themselves fantastically throughout pre-season and I’ve now got some difficult decisions to make.

“I’m looking forward to the start of the season now.”

One of the only disappointments for the Barrow boss was not taking more chances in the match.

Clemence said: “The only criticism for me was we had a lot of chances, and we didn’t take enough of them. I’d rather be getting the chances and missing than not getting the chances at all though.”