Elliot at The Double as AFC Say Farewell to Marine

The Non-League Reds played their final game as hosts at the Marine Travel Arena on an emotional Friday night, as the evening started with an impeccably observed minutes silence to mark the 36th anniversary of Hillsborough. The crowd contained a mix of ex-players, a good away following, the usual AFC faithful and fans and officials from other clubs who had an interest in the outcome, particularly at the bottom of the table.

The 1st half was a tight affair with lots of effort but the final pass was lacking for both sides as possession changed hands far too often. Nathan Cliffe and particularly Miles Storey, were a constant threat for the away side and AFC had Caleb Jones and Elliot Taylor looking for any opportunity to get a shot on goal. Cameron Rooney went wide with a 5th minute strike for AFC, as the home side started promisingly. Taylor couldn't get enough on his header on 10 minutes and it was easily saved by Turner. Just after the half hour mark, the home side went close again when Rooney got a little bit closer than his previous effort, with another effort from the edge of the box. The visitors registered their first effort of note on 35mins, when Cliffe struck an effort from just inside the box but straight at Harry Campbell in AFC's goal. AFC responded well and Adam Moorcroft went close moments later, after a Caleb Jones cross. So not many big chances in the first period but the game was definitely opening up as the half drew to a close.

Despite Colne needing a win to help them in their relegation battle, it was AFC that stepped up the pace a little after the interval. The Non-League Reds attacked the College Road Stand for one last time and the AFC fans went through their repertoire of songs as they tried to 'will' the ball into the visitors net, as they had done so many times before. They didn't have to wait long as shortly after claims for a penalty on Caleb Jones were turned away, Elliot Taylor ran through on 56 minutes and got to the ball a split second before Turner in the Colne goal, who caught the striker and a penalty was given. Elliot stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick and set off on his acrobatic celebration. It was made even sweeter by the fact that in scoring the penalty, he had broken AFC's League goal scoring record previously held by Ryan Cox, which had stood for the last 10 years.

Elliot Taylor celebrates his record breaking goal

It didn't take Taylor long to extend his total of league goals to 26 and his season total to 28, when two minutes later Caleb Jones knocked the ball through to him and he fired past the keeper to double the lead. There only looked like one winner from this point on, as for all their endeavour and their desperate need for goals, the visitors struggled to create clear chances. There were further chances created by the home side as the half progressed, with Moorcroft, Jones and Mahaffy having efforts blocked and Liam Paton forcing a fine finger tip save. It took until injury time for Colne to get their best effort, when Holt hit the crossbar with a free-kick.

Elliot gets his 2nd goal of the night and his 28th of the season

So our time at the MTA ended with a confident win, a clean sheet, a record breaking goalscoring performance and a record equalling points tally. A fitting end to the last game at Marine and a special thank you to each and everyone of you that have come to support us there.

This coming weekend The Non-League Reds play their final game of the season, as they make the short trip to local rivals South Liverpool. Kick-off is the usual 3pm. Please get down to support the lads as the season draws to a close.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 2 v 0 Colne

LINE UP - 1. Campbell 2. Wright-Ocana 3. Beckett 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Brown 6. Fisher-Jones 7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Rooney 11. Lancaster

Subs Used - Paton, Giblin, Porter, Flanagan, Porter

(Photos courtesy of Dave Williams)