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Garstang 1 Barnoldswick Town 0

Barnoldswick Town's last away game was against a team that are looking like being this year's champions. After it looked like Blackpool Wren Rovers were running away with the league Garstang have crept up on the rails and sneaked into the top spot with two games left to play.

Town had influential skipper Stewart Airdrie missing with an ankle injury and Jack Overson was also missing due to injury. Manzar Ditta came back into the side after his injury and Robbie Smith was rested, being on the bench at the start.

Town started this game with the breeze at their backs attacking the clubhouse end.

In the 2nd minute, a long ball into the Garstang penalty area saw Mick Holt and the Garstang keeper go up for the ball.

There was definitely no contact between the two players as daylight could be seen between them, however the Garstang keeper let out a yell and as he hit the ground the ball came out of his hands and Neil Chapman tapped it into the net.

The referee Natalie Walker had upon hearing the scream blown her whistle and awarded a free-kick to Garstang. When questioned by the travelling band of supporters why she didn't allow the goal all they got was a sweet smile.

All the attacking play was coming from Barnoldswick and a short corner taken by Chapman to Holt whose cross found Damon Clark on the edge of the box. He turned neatly inside but his shot was just over the crossbar.

In their next attack Holt slipped a great ball through the Garstang defence to Chapman but once again the final shot was over the bar.

Town continued to cause trouble in the Garstang defence and Martin Whittaker neatly headed on a cross to Chapman who looked like scoring but a brilliant tackle from a Garstang defender forced a corner.

The first real threat from Garstang came in the 34th minute when a shot from outside the box was easily saved by Mitch Walker in the Town goal.

Right at the end of the first half Garstang should have taken the lead as they forced two corners in succession, the second saw a Garstang forward turn the ball over the bar from two yards out.

Town started the second half off well Ditta picking out Joe Murphy who ghosted past a defender before slipping the ball to Chapman. His shot was goalbound until a defender managed to clear it off the line for a corner.

Murphy then crossed to Whittaker at the far post, his final shot being saved by the Garstang keeper. Ashley Smith, back from his around the world trip, crossed the ball again to the far post where Whittaker this time headed over from a good position.

Town appeared to be holding the Garstang forwards at bay fairly easily up to this point but a mix up in the Town defence saw Stephen Chew under pressure clear it away for a corner. The corner came over and wasn't cleared the ball falling to a Garstang player, fortunately for Town his final shot from six yards was wide.

Town then substituted James Coonan bringing on Robbie Smith in the 68th minute. Five minutes later a ball delivered into the Garstang penalty area saw Chapman chest the ball back to Smith on the edge of the box but his shot was well saved by the keeper diving to his right.

Town had another chance two minutes later when Murphy again put Chapman through but once again he missed a great chance to put Town in front shooting wide.

Garstang then took the lead with 11 minutes left on the clock. Walker made a great save tipping the ball past his far post for a corner but when the corner came into the Town box and again it wasn't cleared leaving the Garstang centre forward with an easy tap in goal.

Town then tried to get back on level terms but it was not to be.

It was another defeat but Town have to take heart that they dominated the game against the likely champions.

2:58pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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