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)