AFC Win On The Road

After a run of 6 consecutive home wins, The Non-League Reds proved they could also win on the road, as they stretched their unbeaten run to 9 games.

First half goals from Caleb Jones and Elliot Taylor, together with a towering Andrew Starkey header in the 2nd period, ensured that AFC came away from Longridge Town with a 3-2 victory.

The contest started quite evenly, with both sides having good possession but only had blocked shots to show for it. However, all that was to change in a four minute spell, 20 minutes into the half.

Firstly, Josh Ashe, having a fine game for the home side, crashed home a 25 yard screamer into the top corner, to give Longridge the lead.

Josh Ashe with a great finish for the Longridge opener

However, just two minutes later, Caleb Jones curled a left footed cross into the area. The ball avoided everyone and found it's way into the far corner for AFC's leveller.

Caleb's effort finds it's way in to level

A couple of minutes later, Caleb Jones won the ball in the centre circle and put Elliot Taylor through on the keeper. The striker kept his composure and finished well to turn the game around in a matter of minutes.

Elliot about to register his 42nd goal of the season

Caleb Jones went close with another left footed strike that went just wide of the far post and Matty Brown curled a shot over the bar. Elliot Taylor forced a fine two-handed save from the keeper diving to his right, as AFC continued to create the better chances.

Josh Ashe had another effort from the edge of the box but couldn't repeat his earlier effort, as the ball flew over the bar. The home side almost equalised with the last action of the half, when a good cross was played in from the right but the AFC defence held firm and cleared their lines.

AFC started the 2nd half brightly and Elliot just failed to get on the end of a Caleb Jones cross in the opening minute. Five minutes into the half, the home side were briefly reduced to ten men, when they strangely received a sin-bin for the player showing dissent when a throw-in decision went against him.

In the 53rd minute, Andrew Starkey forced a fine save from Crowe in the home goal, when he got on the end of a Caleb Jones corner. However, Starkey wasn't to be denied and from the resulting corner, he rose above everybody to direct a powerful header past the keeper and make it 3-1 for AFC.

Andrew rises highest and powers home his header for 3-1

The home side's cause wasn't helped in the 72nd minute when they were reduced to 10 men, following a 2nd yellow card. Whilst AFC took their foot off the gas somewhat, Longridge didn't give up and they kept looking for a way back into the contest. They got their reward in the 85th minute, when Daniel Wilkinson knocked the ball home from a corner.

Caleb Jones forced another decent save from the home keeper, as AFC responded positively to Longridge pulling one back. Elliot Taylor had the ball in the back of the net again in added time, but was wrongly adjudged to have started his run from an offside position. The final whistle signalled a good away win and three more points as we count down to the end of the League campaign.

This Saturday afternoon, The Non-League Reds face a very tough trip to Stockport Town, as we make our way into the final week of the League season. Kick-off is 3pm and all travelling support will be very welcome.

FINAL SCORE - Longridge Town 2 v 3 AFC Liverpool

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

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

Subs used - Gerrard,

Photos courtesy of Veo