Craven Herald Sport

Garbutt's strike add strength to Barnoldswick's title challenge

11:02am Thursday 26th January 2012

AFC Liverpool 0 Barnoldswick Town 1

A 48th minute goal from Liam Garbutt enabled Barnoldswick Town to strengthen their North West Counties Premier Division title challenge.

The win saw them take advantage of the fact that the top two teams Bootle and Ramsbottom didn’t play.

Town are three points adrift of leaders Bootle with four games in hand and are two points behind Ramsbottom having played two games less.

It is a good position for Town to be in as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to mid-table Winsford United.

Town were without Shaun Clough, Billy Carrington, Lewis Jordan, Stewart Airdrie and long- term absentee Bill Williams and had Alex Woodcock making only his second start of the season in goal.

The pitch was passed fit early in the morning after being under water on Friday and a strong wind made for difficult conditions.

Town had a great chance to take the lead in the opening minutes but Spencer Jordan missed his kick when presented with a great opportunity by Garbutt.

From then on it was Liverpool who took charge .Woodcock had to beat away one dangerous corner before a header from Liverpool skipper Steve Corris was headed off the line by well positioned full back Liam Blades.

Town struggled to breakdown the Liverpool defence until Garbutt struck in the 48th minute.

Paul Fildes cracked in a great shot which Richard Stenhouse the Liverpool right back managed to clear off the line as Spencer Jordan came in at the far post.

Garbutt was the first to react and crashed the loose ball home from just inside the six-yard box..

Fildes cracked a free kick just wide of the post after 56 minutes, but that was really the last real effort from Town who defended well in the closing stages to preserve the three points as both sides found the conditions increasingly difficult to cope with.

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