Andy Whing off to winning start as Barrow thrash Grimsby

Barrow picked up their first win of 2025 as new boss Andy Whing oversaw a 3-0 victory over Grimsby in his first game in charge.

Goals from Robbie Gotts, Tyler Smith and Theo Vassell did the damage at Holker Street.

Aaron Pressley’s missed second-half penalty was the only downer on an otherwise impressive afternoon.

A second victory in 16 games saw Barrow propel themselves 10 points clear of relegation danger.

Ben Jackson saw an early effort kept out by Jordan Wright.

Gotts, playing his 150th game for the club, opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he slotted home following a counter attack.

Wright did well to keep out Smith on the stroke of the break and did even better when he saved Pressley’s penalty in the 52nd minute after Kian Spence was tripped inside the box.

Bradford loanee Smith scored his first goal since returning to the club when he fired home in the 55th minute.

Danny Rose and Evan Khouri had the visitor’s best chances to get back into the contest.

But those hopes were dashed when Vassell nodded home Jackson’s corner four minutes from time.

Khouri’s stoppage-time strike hit team-mate Rose on the line as the Mariners slumped to a fourth straight away defeat.