There's a belief about Bluebirds, says head coach Stephen Clemence

BARROW boss Stephen Clemence believes his side have the foundations for success this season.

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The Bluebirds impressed as first-half goals from Sam Foley, from his first league start of the season, and Theo Vassell secured a first win at Grimsby since 1967. Kevin Green grabbed a consolation on the stroke of half-time, but the visitors maintained their fine start to the campaign with a fourth victory in six. And after a second straight away win, Clemence beamed: “We’ll try to go quietly about our business, but there’s a belief in the dressing room and I’ve got a belief in the group.

“We believe we can go anywhere and get a result and anyone who comes to us will get a very good game. “I’ve got some very good players in that dressing room, a good squad. You saw that today with players who haven’t been involved much coming in and contributing.



“We’ve got a great spirit, we’ve got a great environment in place and we’re enjoying coming into work every day.” The Bluebirds had failed to win on the road in 2024 before back-to-back wins at Harrogate and now Grimsby. They have lost just once all season and sit in third, level on points with Clemence’s former club Gillingham and a point off leaders Notts County.

The former top-flight midfielder made three changes. One was enforced with young stopper Wyll Stanway in for suspended Paul Farman, whilst Irish veteran Foley was recalled into the starting line-up and both played pivotal roles in the superb victory. Stanway made a number of crucial saves, one shortly after the break before the rebound was ruled out for offside.

“I’m really pleased,” added Clemence. “I thought we were dominant in the first half and the only criticism was that we didn’t score more goals when we burst forward from open play. “It’s always nice to score two from set plays, well done to Jason Taylor for working hard on them and it’s two good finishes from the two lads.

“I thought we had to show a difference resilience. When they scored just before half-time it’s a different type of momentum change. “This is a really difficult place to come as an away team.

The fans were right behind them and the boys had to show a different performance to stand firm. “Wyll’s come in for his first league start and you’d have thought he’d been there for years, he was fantastic. “Obviously the last thing you want is to concede right after a team talk.

I’ll have to look at it back because it was a long way away from where I was and there were a lot of bodies, but Wyll makes a really good save, and I’m sure the lad was onside when he makes the save and it’s the rebound which is offside.”.