BARROW boss Stephen Clemence insisted last week’s derby-day defeat at Carlisle added no extra motivation for his side to put Port Vale to the sword.

The on-song Bluebirds secured their second victory over Darren Moore’s Vale in a fortnight after dumping them out in the first round of the Carabao Cup. 

And it was a victory which laid down a marker. Ged Garner opened the scoring ten minutes into the second-half before a triple assault in the final 15 minutes saw Emile Acquah, Kian Spence and Dom Telford finish the job in style at Holker Street.

“Derby games – I’ve played in some very big ones myself – and whatever level of them are normally very tight affairs and people are probably more scared of losing them than going to try and win the game,” reflected Clemence.

“I didn’t think we got outplayed last week – we came out on the wrong side, didn’t create enough, I’ve admitted that.

“But I felt if we came out and played anything like we could do [against Vale], it would be a very good game, and that’s how it’s turned out to be.

“But I wasn’t using last week as a motivation, it’s about what we do every week and we how we try to hurt opponents and today it’s worked.

“The first goal in any division is always important and thankfully we got it and went on to score quite a few goals, which is always nice in front of the home supporters. Hopefully it cheers them up after last week.

“I didn’t think it was a 4-0 game, but I’ll take it. I thought it was two teams who will give everybody a game this season.

“It was a case of who blinks first. I told them at half-time it would be a case of getting that first goal and we’ll get them home and we did.”

The Bluebirds have started the season brightly, with their defeat at Carlisle the only black mark on their copybook since Clemence took charge.

Most pleasing for Clemence was the array of scorers, with four separate players getting on the scoresheet.

Telford, a prolific marksman during his time at Newport, ended a frustrating drought which stretched back to November. 

“I’m really pleased for all the goal scorers and the boys who got the assists,” added Clemence.

“It was a whole squad effort. Everybody contributed and you can’t ask for anything else than for the guys who come off the bench to make an impact.

“It’s a good day for us. But that’s all it is. It’s three points and we have to move on from it and head towards a big game on Tuesday now.

“You have to earn the right to play and be successful in this division and we did exactly that.

“Everybody has to contribute. Paul (Farman) has made a very good save and played his part in a big result.”