Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's League Two game against Stevenage at The Lamex Stadium.
Stevenage v Barrow
Saturday 7th August 2021, 3pm
The Lamex Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Stevenage will be aiming to build on an encouraging second half to last season as they kick-off the 2021/22 campaign with the visit from Barrow on Saturday.
An unbeaten run from February through to April raised hopes of a late charge to the play-offs, especially after a sequence of three wins in a row, including one of Barrow in March.
However, they couldn’t quite maintain that momentum in the closing weeks, but a 14th place finish coupled with a positive summer of recruitment has given Boro fans plenty of reasons for optimism.
Of course, one of the new faces at The Lamex Stadium is a familiar one to Barrow fans with Brad Barry swapping Cumbria for Hertfordshire during the summer.
One To Watch
Elliot List was on target in Stevenage’s win over Barrow in March as he hit double figures in 2020/21 and the dangerous forward looks likely to be a key player again during the new campaign.
He joined Boro in the summer of 2019, but it was last term when he really announced himself and fans will be hoping he can go to the next level again during 2021/22.
The former Gillingham youngster will also be aiming to build a potent strike partnership with Jamie Reid, who joined the club for an undisclosed fee from Mansfield Town last month.
Head To Head
Stevenage also formed Barrow’s opposition on the opening day of the League Two campaign last season when the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Holker Street.
That game was actually the first time the two sides had collided since The Bluebirds won the FA Trophy at Stevenage’s expense in a 2-1 win at Wembley in May 2010.
Overall, Stevenage have the upper hand in the fixture having beaten Barrow on five occasions in the past, while our only league win came in the Conference with a 2-1 away success in April 1999.
Tickets
Barrow fans can still buy tickets for Saturday's game on the turnstiles prior to kick-off at The Lamex Stadium.
Click here for more information.
Referee
James Oldham will take charge of his first Barrow game since the 2018/19 campaign when he’s on the whistle for our opening day trip to Stevenage.
The official is now moving into his second season on the EFL list of referees and last oversaw The Bluebirds when we overcame Braintree Town 1-0 at Holker Street in August 2018.
Live Streaming
We are not allowed to live stream games in the UK between the hours of 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday so this weekend’s game will not be available to domestic supporters.
Bluebirds fans outside of the UK will be able to access a live stream via iFollow and you can purchase the match in the usual way ahead of kick-off.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined at The Lamex Stadium by Mark Boyd, to describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
Stevenage have been installed as 6/5 favourites to get the win this weekend, though Barrow look good value at odds of 23/10 and a draw is priced up at 21/10 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.