Barnes Storming Performance Secures AFC Win

A series of top quality saves in both halves, from AFC keeper Ben Barnes, helped ensure that The Non-League Reds came back from Stockport with 3 more points and stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games.

As seems the norm lately, the game was played in very strong winds and conditions that changed regularly from rain, to hail, to sunshine. AFC, who went in to the game without a number of players that usually feature in the starting eleven, knew that this was a tough task against a strong Stockport side.

Both sides did their best to contend with the wind, but despite managing to play some good football, with promising approach play, neither side managed to create any chances of note in the opening exchanges.

It was the home side who had the first chance of note in the 16th minute, when Kattah latched on to a defensive slip by AFC and Ben Barnes made the first of his many saves, saving well with his foot. A minute later and Barnes had to dive down low to his right to turn a Turnbull effort round the post. However, the Stockport defender wasn't to be denied and when the ball came back into the AFC area after initially clearing from the corner, Turnbull took a touch and finished really well with a lofted shot into the far corner.

Ben makes his first of a string of fine saves

To their credit, AFC responded well and Caleb Jones had a chance on 22 minutes, but the ball just wouldn't come down quickly enough and his shot went well over the bar. However, on 25 minutes, Joel Skillen's shot from the edge of the area was deflected into the path of an unmarked Caleb Jones, who fired home to level the scores and notch his 22nd goal of the campaign.

Caleb gets the leveller

Barnes again denied Kattah in the 33rd minute, tipping his headed effort over the bar. Dan Mahaffy put a curled attempt just wide of the post, as AFC kept competing well. The home side continued to look threatening coming forward though, and a chance was missed from the edge of the box with five minutes of the half remaining.

Jesse Gerrard almost gave AFC a half-time lead but just failed to keep his effort down, having been put through by a delightful pass from Joel Skillen. The home side went straight down the other end and forced another good save from Ben Barnes, as he tipped a shot over the bar from the excellent Toby Green.

There was still time for one more save from the AFC stopper, when he had to push away a headed effort from Gardner. So, the sides went in all square at the break but AFC knew that their opponents would have the strong wind at their backs for the 2nd period.

Green had the first effort of the 2nd half, sending a left-footed drive just wide of the target. Stockport's pressure grew, but AFC worked harder and harder to remain level. Dan Mahaffy went on a fine run on the hour mark, but his shot deflected through harmlessly to the home keeper.

Gardner's side-footed effort went wide for Stockport and then he blasted over from similar range. The wind was getting stronger and AFC's task was getting more difficult. Matty Brown forced a good save from the home keeper, Schofield, with a headed attempt from a Caleb Jones corner.

The home side used all their substitutes, as they tried desperately to retake the lead. One of them, Fowles, went through on 75 minutes but was denied by Barnes. From the resulting corner, the AFC keeper made his save of the match, diving high to his right to turn away a Turnbull header.

Yet another big stop from Ben

Stockport were now enjoying their best spell of the match as they continued to swarm forward with the winds at their backs. AFC's Assistant Manager, James McShane came off the bench and took up a position in front of the AFC backline and the AFC faithful behind the goal cheered his every touch.

Ben Barnes wasn't finished in goal and had to tip an 85th minute free-kick from Green over the bar. From the resulting corner, Padden headed against the crossbar and the AFC defence cleared their lines again.

As we moved into the 87th minute, Nathan Giblin won possession midway inside the opposition half and ran towards the left edge of the penalty area. He sent a ball across the area and found Jesse Gerrard coming in at the back post. The youngster's first effort was smothered by the keeper but as the ball came back to him, he maintained his composure to fire home and give AFC an unlikely lead.

Stockport pushed forward again looking for the leveller, as the wind and the rain blew even harder into AFC defenders' faces. Matty Brown got back to make a fine recovery tackle to stop an effort on goal. Ben Barnes still had one more save to make, this time making another great block from Fowles. From the resulting corner, AFC broke down the other end of the pitch, when following some great play by Matty Brown, Caleb Jones was put through on goal. However, the keeper pulled off a fine save to deny Caleb and the ball went behind for a corner.

Moments later, the final whistle blew and AFC had secured the win. Special mention to Archer McShane and Jesse Gerrard, who had excellent games on their first full 90 minutes of the season and also, to Ben Barnes who put in a top class goalkeeping performance. However, it has to be said that it was a superb battling performance from 1 to 12, with every player putting their bodies on the line in horrendous conditions. A shout-out also to the AFC travelling support, who didn't stop singing throughout the afternoon despite being soaked!!

The run-in to the end of the League campaign starts on Tuesday night, when The Non-League Reds make the short trip to FC St Helens. Kick-off is 7:45pm and all travelling support will be greatly appreciated.

FINAL SCORE - Stockport Town 1 v 2 AFC Liverpool

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

7. C. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Gerrard 10. Skillen 11. A. McShane

Subs used - J. McShane

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams & stills from our Veo