BARROW AFC 1

CREWE ALEXANDRA 0

STEPHEN Clemence celebrated his first victory as Barrow boss thanks to a first-half goal from one of his new boys.

For a third success year, the Bluebirds won their opening day fixture as Theo Vassell scored a debut goal after 22 minutes.

Centre half Vassell netted just once for Salford City last season, so will be delighted to get off the mark so soon in front of 3,585 supporters.

The home fans had to endure 10 minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle signalled a hard-fought win against opponents who won last season’s corresponding fixture 3-1.

And while it wasn’t as pretty as some might have anticipated in the post Pete Wild era, the three points were the main thing ahead of next Saturday’s derby at Carlisle.

Barrow suffered an early scare when well-travelled Kane Hemmings hit the crossbar with a header from Shilow Tracey’s right-wing centre.

But the Bluebirds survived and took the lead on 22 minutes from their opening corner.

Connor Mahoney swung his kick to the back post where Vassell rose to celebrate his first goal since netting for Salford against Wrexham last February.

Mahoney then set-up a shooting opportunity for Elliot Newby, but Filip Marshall smothered the low angled drive.

Crewe, perhaps unsurprisingly, bossed possession, but Paul Farman remained untroubled 

The keeper’s purple kit, however, was the reason smart Alex had to change from their traditional red shirts. 

Kian Spence collected a season’s first yellow card for shirt pulling before Farman raced outside his area to deny Hemmings.

Referee Martin Coy then cautioned Conor Thomas and it was almost one-all in goals too.

A patient build-up gained pace with two decisive passes before Tracey curled a right-foot effort against Farman’s left hand upright.

Crewe also started the second half on the front foot. Vassell’s clumsy challenge on Hemmings presented the visitors with a free-kick fractionally outside the penalty area.

Max Sanders delivered, but couldn’t keep the ball down to  the delight of fans gathered at the Holker Street end of the ground.

Barrow’s best effort since the break came after 58 minutes  when Kian Spence flashed a speculative effort narrowly wide.

Crewe introduced their first substitutes - Billington and Holicek - on the hour before Robbie Gotts came on for Ged Garner.

 Tracey almost teased a cross beyond  Farman but again Barrow’s luck held.

 And the home side almost doubled their lead after 71 minutes as goalie Marshall made a meal of Mahoney’s 20-yard attempt.

As a result, Barrow gained only their second corner without the reward of another goal.

Crewe kept pressing for an equaliser, but Barrow ensured a welcome clean sheet to go with Vassell’s goal.

Barrow AFC: Farman, Campbell, Canavan ©, Spence, Garner (Gotts 64’), Newby (Eccleston 92’), Acquah (Dallas 75’), Mahoney (Kouyate 75’), Feely, Jackson, Vassell. Unused subs: Stanway, Tiensia, Telford