MICHAEL BARNES wants to be on the right end of the friendly fire as Northop Hall search for a sixth win in seven Liverpool Competition Division One outings.

Barnes will come up against former club Birkenhead Park for the second time this season, the Hall skipper ending on the losing side when the teams met in the reverse fixture back in June.

“I got quite a bit of stick last time!” said Barnes, who top-scored with 34 as Hall were bowled out for 90, before forcing Birkenhead to settle for a three-wicket win.

“They’ve got a good overseas,” said Barnes of Ahmad Safi Abdullah, who claimed 5-12 against Hall last time out. “He’s a left-arm spinner and the wicket will spin, so we need to be careful of him.”

But Hall go into the encounter riding high after comfortably disposing of Ainsdale, who were skittled for 69 as the Flintshire side claimed an eight-wicket away win.

The ever-reliable James Hurlin (4-26) and Enamul Haque (3-5) were in the wickets once more, but so too was Ryan Dunning, the medium pacer bagging 3-8 from eight overs.

“Ryan set the tone with the ball,” said Barnes. “We’ve been looking for another seamer and he bowled really, really well.

“He didn’t go for a run in his first five overs and he got their best batsman - Stephen Lucas - out.”

Ben Slater then crashed an unbeaten 42 at the top of the order as Hall took just 52 balls to wrap up an important away win.

“We are looking to make it six wins in seven now,” said Barnes as his attentions switched to tomorrow’s encounter at Smithy Lane. “We were poor against Birkenhead Park last time and we still feel as we should have won.

“That gives us confidence going into the weekend, but we can’t afford to get carried away.”

Alex Smith returns to further strengthen Hall’s batting line-up with Rohit Kaimal dropping out.

Hall Seconds visit Caldy Seconds tomorrow and host Wavertree Seconds on Sunday, while the Thirds visit Ormskirk Fourths.