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)