Afternoon Gents,

This years end of season do has been confirmed for Sunday 6th May and will most probably be held at Sale Metroviks. If you haven't done so already could you please send your 1st & 2nd placed votes for Player's Player of the season to Andy George.

See you all on Sunday...

Ladybarn faced FC Navigation in their final game of the season and with Navigation still in with a chance of promotion Ladybarns chances looked slim. The game was played in awful conditions with constant rain & wind throughout.

The game started fairly evenly with both sides creating chances although Navigation took the lead when a long ball over the top of the Barn back 4 was fired home by Navigations centre forward. Navigation soon added to their lead when a speculative effort from Navigations striker seemed to struggle Platt who could not get the ball over the bar and Navigation lead 2-0.

FC Navigation must have surely thought they had the win that would see them put pressure on fellow promotion hopefuls Urmston Meadowside although Ladybarn were starting to find there feet in the game and Navigations centre backs were exposed time and time again allowing Lukeman through on goal however Ladybarns 1st goal of the game came through Potter who was playing in a more advanced midfield role and taking the shackles off his defensive duties. 2-1 at HT.

The second half of the game saw Lukeman still troubling Navigations centre halfs and after rounding the keeper he saw his shot stop on the line only to be denied by the bad conditions. Ladybarn however kept pressing and were rewarded when Jeff Crewe fired home from a tight angle to level the scores and surely atone for his Rossenthal miss away to FC Navigation.

At 2-2 Ladybarn were clearly on the front foot and they went on to score the winner through the impressive Potter grabbing his 2nd of the game and sealing all 3 points for Ladybarn and with it a 4th place finish in the league.

An excellent season for Ladybarn all round and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say 1 that was thoroughly enjoyed.

LADYBARN

Morris

George

Gilmartin

Cloran

Donnelly

Potter (2)

Rimmer

Malik

Kerr

Lukeman

Goal from substitute Crewe

Afternoon Gents,

This seasons end of season do is looking like it will be held at Sale Metroviks (just off Glebelands Road) on the 6th May 2012.

More to follow...

This was undoubtably going to be Barns toughest game of the season playing away to newly crowned Champions Bricklayers Arms who had an almost perfect season losing only once at the hands of Ladybarn and drawing with Urmston Meadowside.

From the 1st whistle it was clear to see that Bricklayers season had been no fluke with sharp, short passing and excellent movement on & off the ball. This was causing Ladybarn problems but it was a long ball over the top that bounced awkwardly for Platt to gather and Bricklayers forward headed past him to give the champions the early lead.

From Bricklayers taking the lead Ladybarn went on to create some half chances with Dave Howard racing onto a through ball to go 1 on 1 only for Lukeman to get involved in the move from an offside position. Another through ball this time saw Lukeman clearly beat Bricklayers keeper to the ball only to be bought down but according to the ref no penalty. A poor decision that could have seen Ladybarn get a foothold in the game.

Bricklayers were the next to register with their good movement still causing Barn problems a ball in behind the back 4 saw the impressive Bricklayers number 17 who will surely be named the leagues player of the season square the ball for Bricklayers number 8 to fire his second of the game past Platt. 2-0 Bricklayers at half-time.

The second half of the game was played in much the same fashion as the 1st with Ladybarn still struggling but defending well in spells. Bricklayers added to their lead again through number 8 who completed his hattrick on 52 minutes and then managed to grab another on 65 minutes as Potter was disposessed on the edge of the area allowing Bricklayers forward to 1st round Platt & then Cloran before tapping into an empty net. Barns only really chances of note in the second half came from Malik who managed to strike the Bricklayers bar and Kerr who struck a good shot but unfortunately maybe lacking enough power to take it past Bricklayers keeper.

This was a game which was never going to be easy as Bricklayers knew not to take us lightly after the home fixture but with Longhey beating Washway Celtic 3-2 as Barn were losing out to the Champions this means that only Altrincham Hale could beat us to 4th on goal difference but they would have to beat Urmston Meadowside on Sunday to do so.

Barns last game of the season is at home to FC Navigation who Barn have lost out to 3 time this season however they have never played Barn at the fortress that is Manor Avenue so could Barn grab the point or even all 3 to secure 4th?! only time will tell...

LADYBARN

Platt

George

Potter

Gilmartin

Cloran

Swain

Rimmer

Kerr

Starkey

Howard

Lukeman

Showmans FC were Ladybarns first opponents this season and ran away 5-2 winners on the day so Ladybarn were looking for payback and it looked promising with Showmans struggling to get a team together.

Barn started the game well and were creating good chances with relative ease and when Lukeman rounded the keeper only to find side netting it only seemed a matter of time before the deadlock was broken although Ladybarn started to get complacent and had to defend well before they made the breakthrough which came from the left when a ball lofted in the middle from a throw in was bought down into the path of Swain by Rimmer who managed to place a perfectly weighted pass through Showmans back 4 for Lukeman to run onto and slot past the advancing keeper. 1-0 Ladybarn at half time.

The 2nd half started in a much similar fashion with Showmans still applying pressure and that pressure told when a mix up in the back 4 between Gilmartin & Cloran left Gilmartin the wrong side of a Showmans striker and bought him down for a penalty. Showmans converted the penalty and levelled the game at 1-1.

After this Ladybarn created another half chance when good work down the left from Vesey found him crossing a suberb ball which was met by the head of Swain who was returning to the Barn side after a hand injury head just over.

Ladybarn managed to take the lead again through Cloran who sent a hopeful ball forward from a freekick inside his own half which eluded everyone and managed to bounce over the Showmans keeper into the roof of the net.

This goal however didn't seem to stop the pressure from Showmans who were still throwing everything they could at Ladybarn and it was only with minutes remaining that Barn sealed all 3 points when Lukeman managed to turn Showmans defenders before neatly pulling the ball back for substitute Law who found the bottom corner in superb style almost certainly sealing a golden boot in the process for the Barn marksman.

This was a performance where Ladybarn played well below their best and took all 3 points to remain 4th in the league. 2 tough games remain starting at Champions Bricklayers Arms who will no doubt want revenge after their only loss of the season was suffered at the hands of Ladybarn.

"It's a sign of class when a team still grinds out a victory despite a poor performance" - Ben Myddelton 16/04/2012

LADYBARN

Platt

George

Potter

Gilmartin

Cloran (1)

Donnelly

Rimmer

Vesey

Howard

Swain

Lukeman (1)

3rd goal from substitute Law

Ladybarn made their 3rd visit of the season to FC Navigation having narrowly lost out to them in both cup competitions.

As per the 2 cup games Barn seemed to start the game in a good manor with some good movement off the ball and passing eventually creating an opening for Round who managed to 'Round' the keeper but failed to convert from a narrow angle.

As the game wore on FC Navigation grew into the game and it was they who struck 1st when there centre half put a freekick in off the underside of the bar leaving Law in the Barn goal helpless.

Losing the goal seemed to flatten Ladybarn who struggled to create chances in the 2nd half and lost a further 2 goals despite some great saves from Law. The best being a shot he tipped onto the post and managed to gather at the 2nd attempt.

The 1 stand out chance for Barn in the 2nd half and arguably their best chance of the game fell to substitute Jeff Crewe who managed to fire over from a matter of yards. Some have dubbed it a Rosenthal although people will be quick to point out Rosenthal hit the bar and not row Z.

The game finished 3-0 to FC Navigation but with Barn missing some key players this could be a much closer game when Navigation visit Manor Avenue in Barns last game of the season.

LADYBARN

Law

Morris

George

Gilmartin

Cloran

Donnelly

Linton

Vesey

Round

Howard

Lukeman

Ladybarn v Washway Celtic was always going to be a game that would be pivitol in deciding where both sides finish at the end of the season due to the teams almost indentical league records.
 

It was Barn that started the game in a positive fashion setting the tempo for the game and dictating play early on with Barns midfield of Hart, Kerr, Starkey, Donnelly & Rimmer looking good on the ball going forward but also putting in the work to get back and help the back 4.
 

Washway Celtic were finding it hard to cope with Ladybarns good passing and moving and it was Barn who found the back of the net 1st when a long thrown from Hart on the left found its way in but the ref had judged it had not taken a touch on the way in therefore disallowing the goal.
 

Celtic by now were starting to make chances of there own having finally found a foot hold in the game and it was they who netted next when a shot from all of 20 yards bounced infront of Platt making it difficult for the Barn keeper and once the shot was spilled Celtic's forward was on hand to tap in. 1-0 Washway at the break.
 

Halftime saw Law withdrawn from the action and Lukeman put on to make the runs in behind we know he's capable of and Lukeman signalled this intent by shutting down Washways back 4 from the 1st whistle of the second half.
 

The second half was much more of an even contest and again it was another long throw that caused problems for Celtic as Barn had been trying to hit Potter at the front post for the majority of the game it was Lukeman who rose highest to flick on for Liam Kerr to grab his 1st of the season.
 

Both sides continued to create chances in an open second half although as Pickles has said it was Ladybarn who were creating the better chances and none better than the chance that fell to Lukeman. A long ball from Platt caused trouble for Celtic defenders who were looking into the sun and Lukeman gambled on this so when Celtics centre back missed his header Lukeman was through 1 on 1 although the ball was still bouncing and Washways keeper was sprinting from his line, Lukeman got to the ball 1st and looked to lift it over the oncoming keeper but miss-hit his shot. The ball was rolling towards an empty net with Washways keeper having come out and time seemed to stand still as the ball edged closer to the goal and there will have been no-one more releived to have heard the ball hit the post than Washway Celtics centre back. Surely a huge let off.
 

Both sides played the remainder of the game out still creating chances but in the end the points were shared and this will surely be a point gained rather than 2 points dropped with Ladybarn still occupying 4th spot and Washway Celtic now down in 6th.
 

Barn host Kingstreet FC this coming Sunday with 4 games remaining in the league. Another 3 points would pile pressure on both Washway Celtic and Ashton United who still have to meet each other in the run in.
 

LADYBARN
 

Platt
 

George
 

Potter
 

Gilmartin
 

Cloran
 

Donnelly
 

Kerr (1)
 

Starkey
 

Hart
 

Rimmer
 

Law
 

A string of recent good results saw Ladybarn sitting 4th in the table and full of confidence heading into the game against East Levenshulme with revenge for the 4-1 loss before Christmas on the mind of Barn players.

Preperation for the game had been good with management keen to install a winning mentality into the Barn players knowing a win in this game would see them remain 4th and fend off the challenging Washway Celtic who faced a tough game against Urmston Meadowside.

The game was played on a morning perfect for Ladybarns new found passing game but it was they who started slowly and were found defending early pressure from East Levenshulme. Barn were struggling to find there usual passing game but in parts they were showing that if they could settle on the ball they would be more than a match for East Levenshulme who were looking to play the long ball at most opportunities with Barn defenders struggling to cope with the pace of the East Levenshulmes front line.

It was East Levenshulme who struck 1st when a ball fed between Gilmartin & Cloran found Levenshulmes flying right winger who despite being pushed wide managed to find a ball into the middle of the area which was converted to put Levenshulme 1-0 up. At the time of the ball being played across the area it seemed for all the world that Levenshulmes goalscorer was offside but nothing giving from the referee. 1-0 Levenshulme at the break.

Barn came out and struck back shortly after half time when Dave Howard clipped what seemed to be a heavy ball over the top of East Levenshulmes back 4 for Law to run onto but with the ball taking a lucky bounce on the edge of the area Law was able to fire past the oncoming Levenshulme keeper who surely thought the ball would run through for him to gather.

At this stage in the game the next goal would be crucial and it was East Levenshulme who scored next finding the Barn goal twice in 2 minutes after some sloppy defending and Ladybarn struggling to pass the ball and move forward.

Despite the set back Barn pushed and were rewarded when a ball floated in from a corner by Law was met by a glancing diving header by Lukeman. Surely a collectors item.

With 10 minutes to go the score was 4-2 to East Levenshulme but they were starting to struggle under pressure from Ladybarn and Ladybarn senced this and were on the front foot knowing that a goal could possibly set up a grandstand finish and possibly earn a crucial point and it was Barn who scored next when Law who had played a part in all 3 of Barns goals was found after some neat work down the right to 'pass' the ball to East Levenshulmes keeper who failed to accept Laws gratitude and let the ball past him. I say Law 'passed' the ball into the Levenshulme net as I very much doubt it had the pace to actual hit the back of the net. However as the saying goes 'they all count'.

4-3 with a matter of minutes to go and Ladybarn could see an equaliser but when pressing a ball down Ladybarns left found East Levenshulmes inpressive right winger who managed to slot the ball beyond Platt despite the best efforts of George to secure the 3 points.

Barn will surely feel that they should have picked up points against East Levenshulme who are struggling in the league but 0/6 suggest that Levenshulme could indeed be Barn's 'bogey team' and they will be looking to bounce back this weekend against Washway Celtic which is by all means a 6 pointer as Barn go into the game 3 points clear of Celtic after their loss to Urmston Meadowside and a win will take them 6 points clear level on games.

A last mention should go to Birchall who seems to have suffered suspected medial ligament damage after Sundays game so from all at Ladybarn GET WELL SOON JB!!

LADYBARN

Platt

George

Potter

Gilmartin

Cloran

Donnelly

Hart

Birchall

Howard

Lukeman (1)

Law (2)

On a lovely sunny March morning Ladybarn played host to Ashton United who were 1 place below them in the league standings level on points but having played 1 game more and Barn knew this result could be a potential platform for their highest league finish in some years with Washway Celtic (level on points) also not playing.

The game started fairly evenly with both sides looking comfortable on the ball but it was Ahton United who struck 1st on 11 minutes as a corner landed in Barns area and took a deflection off Morris on the way past Platt to put the visitors 1-0 to the good, Both Morris & Platt helpless to stop the shot.

This was going to be a test of Ladybarn who would fall below Ashton should they lose and they passed the test with flying colours being extremely positive from the restart and finding the back of the net when Clorans freekick from the left found Hart who took a touch and fired goalward to have the ball turned in by Lukeman on the line who was in an offside position. This set back however did not stop Barn from pressing and they levelled things up after 14 minutes when a long ball from Platt was brought down by Law and lofted over the top of the Ashton back 4 into the run of Howard who converted at the 2nd time of asking. 1-1.

The equaliser spurred Ladybarn on further and Ashton were struggling to cope under the pressure when a cross from the right seemed to strike an arm inside the Ashton area and Ladybarn were awarded a penalty. Law who had previously struck freekicks that tested the keeper stepped up and most would have said it was a certainty he would score having never missed for Barn but a poorly struck penalty was saved down to the keepers right and some are now questioning whether Laws 200th Barn goal is becoming 'a monkey on his shoulder'.

Not long after the penalty incident Barn were lucky to retain 11 players on the field when last man Gilmartin seemed to clearly handle a throughball and deny a goal scoring opportunity. Nothing given.

Ladybarn were still pressing for the 2nd and this came when a James Lukeman shot from the right took a deflection and found it's way past Ashtons keeper. Lukeman trying to claim the goal after celebrations but the referee clearing stating "own goal" means this won't be 1 that can be chalked onto Lukemans tally for the campaign.

The next goal in this game would be crucial and arguably the goal of the game came shortly before halftime when a crossfield ball from Hart found Law who chested down into the path of an oncoming Howard who struck a 'daisy cutter' which nestled into the bottom corner from all of 20 yards.

The second half as per the previous week saw Ladybarn take their foot of the gas and this in turn invited some pressure from Ashton but with George and Gilmartin in top form at the heart of Barns defence they managed to cope with the pressure and the most notable chance of the second half fell to Howard when a ball across the face of goal found its way to Howard who simply needed to tap home from all of 3 yards to complete his hat-trick but failed to convert placing his effort inches wide.

Late substitutions were made when Lukeman, Cloran & Morris made way for Round, P. Vesey & Donnelly who shut out the game and will surely see more playing time in the run in.

3-1 was the final score and this result moves Ladybarn into 4th who will be looking to open up their lead on Washway Celtic against East Levenshulme before having to face Celtic the following week.

A last mention should go to the suberb efforts of Andy George who managed to notch a perfect hat-trick against Ashton United. Left, right and a header in that order so well done Andy!!

...Unfortunately Andy woke from his dream to find that he had not as 1st thought managed to score a perfect hat-trick and that Manchester United were indeed back on top of the Premier League where they belong.

LADYBARN

Platt

Morris

George

Gilmartin

Cloran

Lukeman

Hart

Birchall

Rimmer

Howard (2)

Law

Ladybarns latest fixture finally saw them return to the fortress that is Manor Avenue against Longhey Athletic who were coming into the game on the back of 3 league wins on the bounce.

Barn made 4 changes to the side that had beaten King Street the previous week with Morris, Birchall, Kerr & Lukeman coming in for George, Donnelly, Rimmer & M. Vesey.

The game was started with a good tempo by Ladybarn who showed some good passing football with Birchall & Kerr having the running of the midfield and Howard & Swain as ever looking dangerous on the flanks. It wasn't long before Ladybarn scored their first of the game when a long throw from Birchall was flicked on by Potter at the front post for Lukeman to convert.

Longhey were still struggling to get into the game with Ladybarns movement causing huge problems for them when a long goal kick from Platt found Law who let the ball bounce once and lob the oncoming Longhey keeper to double Ladybarns advantage. Some quick thinking to be credited to Platt who also picked up an assist for his part in Laws goal.

It looked although Ladybarn would carry a 2-0 lead into the break but with Longhey still struggling from Birchalls long throws and Barn set pieces in general Ladybarn made it 3 when the ball landed at the feet of Potter inside the area who showed great composure to turn on the ball and pass into the bottom righthand corner in off the post almost reminisant of Gary Cahill v Holland.

At half time Ladybarn looked extremely comfortable and it looked although it woud be a case of how many more they could add to their 3 but credit Longhey who came out much sharper after halftime and had Ladybarn on the backfoot for the majority of the second half. Their pesistance at the Barns goal was rewarded with a bit of a luck when a miss-hit cross looped over Platt and into the top left coner to make it 3-1.

The goal only proved to spur Longhey on more who could sense that with another quick goal might be on for grabbing a 3rd and possibly a share of the spoils and they found that quick 2nd when a ball fed between Potter and Cloran left them second best to Longheys right winger who again found the top left corner.

Ladybarn managed to see out the rest of the game under alot of pressure from Longhey who will probably feel slightly aggreived to have gone away losing after their 2nd half performance although it has proved to be a massive 3 points for Ladybarn taking them into 5th in the league behind Washway Celtic only on goal difference but still with a game in hand.

That game in hand comes this Sunday against Ashton United who sit level on points with Barn but also having played a game more. 3 point this weekend would see Ladybarn pull 3 clear into 4th level on games with Washway Celtic who Barn face in the coming weeks.

Could this next few weeks be pivitol in Barns chances of finishing 4th with tough games at the back end of the season?! Could Potter get an England call up?! the answer to both those questions is only time will tell but 1 thing for certain is that it will definately be interesting.

LADYBARN

Platt

Morris

Potter (1)

Gilmartin

Cloran

Swain

Kerr

Birchall

Howard

Law (1)

Lukeman (1)