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