All Square in FA Cup Clash

Staffo giving his pre-match thoughts to the media

The Non-League Reds will have to do it all again on Wednesday evening, as their Emirates FA Cup tie away at Abbey Hey ended level at 1-1. As expected, this tie was always going to be a tight affair, with both sides meeting at the same stage of the competition last year and AFC narrowly going through 2-1.

AFC started promisingly and Elliot Taylor had half a chance in the opening minute but shot straight at the keeper. Michael Jamieson had a series of long throws that caused problems for the home side but they managed to deal with them sufficiently. Abbey Hey went close on 8 minutes, as Carter sent a glancing header wide. Caleb Jones had the ball in the net on 17 minutes but was denied by the linesman's flag. Jones had a chance from a free-kick on 33 minutes but unusually sent his effort low and well wide. Moorcroft then had a headed effort from a corner that the keeper plucked out the air with both hands.

Connor Beard saves well from Adam Moorcroft's header

On 42 minutes, following great work from Moorcroft, Elliot Taylor had a chance but the keeper denied him from point blank range. As we entered injury time in the 1st half, Abbey Hey centre-forward Carter played a long pass over the AFC defence and Jamal Crawford did exceptionally well to control it and go round the advancing Parkinson, before placing the ball in the net. A disappointing end to a half that AFC had looked quite comfortable in.

The first chance of the 2nd half fell to Elliot Taylor in the 52nd minute, who hit the crossbar with a glancing header from a fine cross from Adam Moorcroft. AFC continued their positive start to the half and drew level five minutes later when the same two players combined. Moorcroft rose well to flick the ball through to Taylor who went clear through and slotted it calmly into the back of the net.

Elliot receives congratulations from the Skipper after slotting to level

The home side responded well and Egan had a chance to restore their lead but shot over the bar from 10 yards out. Carter then went close as he forced a fine save from Dave Parkinson, who was making his 50th appearance for The Non-League Reds. Abbey Hey threatened from a series of corners in the 2nd half but the AFC defence just managed to deal with them, with some fine blocks from Fisher-Jones and Jamieson.

Caleb Jones flashed a left-footed effort wide of the post on 75 minutes. Abbey Hey finished with another flurry of corners leading to more AFC defensive blocks. Liam Paton had a chance to grab victory for AFC in the dying seconds, but blasted over the bar. As predicted, a close game with chances at either end and nothing to separate the sides as the tie ended all square.

The replay will take place this Wednesday evening at the Berry Street Garage Stadium, with a 7:45pm kick off. It's bound to be another tight encounter as both sides fight for the chance to play at Witton Albion in the next round.

FINAL SCORE - Abbey Hey 1 v 1 AFC Liverpool

LINE UP - 1. Parkinson 2. Jamieson 3. Giblin 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Fisher-Jones 6. Brown

7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Skillen 11. Rooney

Subs Used - Paton, Blankendal

Attendance - 164

Pics courtesy of Dave Williams www.afcliverpool.smugmug.com

and Billy Stirrup