AFC Complete Cracking Easter Weekend

The Non-League Reds made it two wins over the Easter weekend, as they picked up another three points and extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

Litherland Remyca had been in tremendous form recently, with wins against the top two in the Division, as their fight to avoid the drop gained momentum. It was no surprise that they started confidently and didn't look like a relegation zone side.

Indeed it was the visitors who took a deserved lead when the ball was played back to Misios to fire home on 19 minutes. They nearly doubled their lead two minutes later when a Walker free-kick struck the post, came back out to ex-AFC striker Mark Madden and with Ben Barnes getting back up from the original effort and facing his own goal, the ball struck his back and went safe - a remarkable 'no look' save!!

AFC were struggling to create anything of quality and the visitors almost scored again when a header went narrowly wide after a good initial save from Ben Barnes. Litherland had strong penalty appeals turned down, as they continued to look the more likely to find the next goal.

Joel Skillen came close with an effort on 36 minutes, firing just over from the edge of the box. Suddenly, AFC began to have a bit more possession and were moving the ball a bit quicker. They manged to get themselves level in the 42nd Minute when, following good work by Joel Skillen, the ball broke to Andrew Starkey and he fired home off the underside of the crossbar to equalise. So it was all square at the break and a big 2nd half was expected.

Andrew Starkey celebrates his excellent finish.

The 2nd period started evenly but in the 52nd minute, a fine long pass from Matty Brown put Elliot Taylor through and his fine effort went inches wide of the keeper's left hand post. Soon after, Caleb Jones hit a strike from the angle of the area but it went the wrong side of the far post. However, as the clock hit the hour mark, it was AFC who took the lead.

Elliot Taylor was bundled over about 22 yards from goal, in a central position. Caleb Jones placed the ball, ran up and fired it past the keeper into the back of the net, to give AFC the lead.

Caleb fires home a free-kick to give AFC the lead

Caleb fired over from another free-kick moments later and the visitors had another shot that went off target. Harry Wright-Ocana made a fantastic block with a few minutes to go. As the game moved in to stoppage time, the visitors began to over commit players forward, in their desperate search for an equaliser. As the clock clicked round to 95 minutes, the ball was cleared by the AFC defence up to Elliot Taylor just inside his own half. The striker held the ball up well, before playing a pass to put Deacon Smalley through on goal. He reached the edge of the area before being brought down; however, the ball broke to Caleb Jones and he stroked it home for his 2nd goal of the game and 20th of the season.

Moments later, the final whistle sounded and AFC had their 6th consecutive win and another three points. The players deservedly came and took the plaudits from the AFC fans who had played just as big a role in a very enjoyable Easter weekend for the Club.

The fixture chaos continues on Wednesday evening, as The Non-League Reds make the trip to Longridge Town, in the first of four tough away games. Kick-off is 7:45pm and all travelling support will be greatly appreciated.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 3 v 1 Litherland Remyca

LINE-UP - 1. Barnes 2. Wright-Ocana 3. Giblin 4. Brown 5. Fisher-Jones (c) 6. Hinnigan

7. C. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Starkey 11. Skillen

Subs used - Smalley, Jamieson, A. McShane

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams & Billy Stirrup