Barrow AFC manager Adam Lakeland has expressed optimism about the team's chances ahead of the National League North kick-off on Saturday, despite a 1-0 loss to Morecambe in their final pre-season outing. The Shrimps showed some solidity in their performance, with Lakeland praising their organisation and competitiveness. However, he acknowledged that the team needs to improve their ball control and create more chances. Lakeland said: “I thought we competed incredibly well, were organised and pretty comfortable for large spells of the game. “It was a pretty dull game overall and I think they won it with what was a soft penalty, when their player was never going to get on the end of the through ball but went down after a short pull from Lewis Baines. “They are a team who has just come out of the Football League and have been well backed for this season in the National League - and I thought we were very competitive, so there were plenty of positives. “We would like to be better with the ball, more threatening and would have liked to have created more chances, but I know we will get better as the season goes on. “What we have shown today and over the pre-season is that we are incredibly organised. “We are going to be very solid and that is a great starting point for any team that has aspirations of being competitive in any league. “The good thing about this game is that we came through the game unscathed with no more injuries and minutes in players’ legs - and now we can all prepare for the season opener this week in training. Next fixture: vs Scunthorpe (away, 2027-02-16).