Kabamba: Barrow scoreline was no fair reflection on Hawks' display
Lee Bradbury's troops were condemned to a 3-0 defeat at Holker Street in their National League curtain-raiser on Saturday.
On the back of winning the National League South title last term and a strong pre-season campaign, confidence was high in the Westleigh Park camp heading into the clash.
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Hide AdHowever, a double from Jack Hindle and Tyler Smith's close-range strike meant the Hawks made the 330-mile journey back to the south coast empty-handed.
The visitors did have their chances, with Wes Fogden having a shot saved and Alfie Pavey's cross-cum-shot hitting the post.
And Kabamba reckoned the 3-0 loss did not do Bradbruy's side any justice.
The former Pompey striker said:Â 'It wasn't the start we wanted but we need to stick together. We were not expecting that result.
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Hide Ad'˜We arrived at Barrow confident but things didn't go. Things didn't go our way.
'˜Throughout the game it seemed every time we shot there was a block or a Barrow player in the way. It was a frustrating day and their goal disheartened us a little bit.
'˜We pushed for an equaliser to try to even it out and start playing but that second goal was a real sucker punch for us.
'˜3-0 wasn't a fair reflection. The first goal, hands up, they have put it in the top corner.
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Hide Ad'˜For the second and third it was a bit frustrating for us defensively but it was never a 3-0 game.'
The loss means the Hawks sit bottom of the table after the opening day of fixtures.
Yet Kabamba insisted the Westleigh Park side won't dwell on the result after a frank post-match conversation with Bradbury and the rest of the players.Â
'˜It was frustrating but we've spoken about it and we're going to put it to bed and move forward,' the marksman added.
'˜We have good character in the changing room, we'll stick together and there is a long season ahead.'