This was the first League meeting between AFC Liverpool and local rivals South Liverpool, although South did have a convincing 6-3 victory in the Senior Cup at the MTA last season. It was South who created a couple of early chances with Alex Griffiths just firing wide and then Harry Campbell had an easy save to make from a 20 yard free kick. AFC responded with a long range effort from skipper, Adam Moorcroft that went over the bar. Then on 14 minutes, a brilliantly delivered free kick from Caleb Jones was met by Adam Sudworth, who headed home for his 3rd goal in 4 games.
The game was quite tight with very few chances of note. Elliot Taylor could have added to The Reds lead on a couple of occasions, but in the 33rd minute, Owen Hough cut inside and hit a dipping cross-shot that flew in over Campbell's outstretched hand to level the scores. This is how it stayed until half time, with both sides hoping for a little bit more in the 2nd half.
However, the restart brought more of the same, with neither side fully able to stamp their authority on the game and both defences able to deal with any threats coming their way. It wasn't helped by the weather, as the heavens opened and wind swirled around the pitch. Caleb Jones had an effort well saved by South's keeper, Allan and it looked as though the game was going to drift to a conclusion, with the points being shared. However, Bobby Murphy had other ideas and with 10 minutes to go, he set off on one of his marauding runs from defence. After laying it off, the ball eventually fell back to Murphy in the area but his shot was blocked. The ball broke to Matty Brown who fired towards goal, and there was Bobby Murphy to stick out his left boot to poke the ball home for the winner.
Not the best of games but it was back to winning ways in the League for The Non League Reds and after the game, Assistant Manager Carl Lancaster told us, "It's a really good 3 points and it's always difficult when you play one of your local rivals. We played well in patches and it was great that we were able to pop up with a winner near the end."
Scorer of the winning goal, Bobby Murphy added, "I thought we were good for the win, South are a great club, with good lads and will start to move up the table soon. Luckily we got the winner and it was great to get the touch to win the game."
Rivalries will be renewed again at the same time next week, as the sides meet again in the NWCFL's Macron Cup.
Final Score - AFC Liverpool 2 v 1 South Liverpool
Team - 1. Campbell 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Lightfoot 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Brown 9. Taylor 10. Byron 11. Bavelock
Subs Used - Skillen, Lancaster, McDonald, Flight, Williams,
(Pics courtesy of Paul Moran)
Comments