Elliot Hits 3 Again as AFC Triumph

Another fantastic display from The Non-League Reds, ensured that they bagged the three points against West Didsbury & Chorlton. A fixture that had provided 44 goals in the previous 7 meetings between the clubs, was always likely to give the fans some exciting moments, and this game lived up to that billing.

It was the home side who flew out the blocks and took a 4th minute lead. Following good work down the right hand side by Harry Wright-Ocana and Joel Skillen, the ball was cleared to Caleb Jones, some 25 yards from goal. Caleb took a touch and fired home into the far corner, past the despairing dive of the visiting keeper, to give AFC the early lead.

Caleb celebrates with the fans after scoring the opener

West Didsbury, knowing that they had to win the game to keep their play-off hopes alive, responded positively and continued to try and push forward. However, they were mainly restricted to efforts from distance and hopeful balls into the area, which the AFC defence dealt with superbly.

On 17 minutes, a visiting defender had to clear a ball from just in front of the goal line, from A Caleb Jones corner. The visitors had a chance on the half-hour mark, when Ben Elliott couldn't get the required contact on his header to direct it towards goal and it drifted harmlessly over the bar. They went even closer a few minutes later when two players seemed to get in each other's way at the back post and the chance went begging.

AFC nearly doubled their lead just before the break, when Jack Hinnigan played the ball in to Joel Skillen midway inside the visitors half. Joel turned and played a great pass to the right, where Caleb Jones delivered a fantastic side-footed volleyed cross towards Elliot Taylor, Unfortunately for the striker it was a few inches too far in front of him and he could only knock it inches wide of the post.

Jack Hinnigan, having another fantastic game at the heart of the AFC defence, made an important block from an Abadaki effort in the opening seconds of the second period. As the half progressed, the home side's midfield of Rooney, Brown, Skillen and Starkey, began to get on top as the home side looked the more likely to score again.

On the hour mark, that's exactly what happened. Nathan Giblin went on a fine run down the left, before finding Elliot Taylor in the box. He went past a defender and was fouled, getting up to confidently dispatch the spot-kick into the net, to double the lead.

Elliot head over heels again!

The next goal was always going to be decisive and on 71 minutes, only a fine save by Ben Barnes from a Ben Elliott header, kept AFC's two goal advantage. A few moments later, Owen Fisher-Jones won the ball well and played a pass to Deacon Smalley. Deacon took the ball into the opposition half, before playing an inch perfect pass to put Elliot Taylor through on the keeper, The AFC striker kept his cool and calmly finished past the advancing keeper to make it three.

A Caleb Jones corner from AFC's right in the 84th minute bobbled about in the box, before landing at the feet of Taylor. With his back to goal, Elliot decided to try a cheeky back heel and the ball nestled in the bottom corner, to complete his hat-trick and spark more acrobatic celebrations.

Ben Elliot got a consolation from the spot for the visitors in the 88th minute and Cam Rooney was sent off deep into added time. However, none of that could take away from what had been a fine performance and a big win for AFC.

The Non-League Reds are in midweek action on Tuesday evening, when the visitors will be Euxton Villa. Kick-off is 7:45pm and all support will be greatly appreciated.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 4 v 1 West Didsbury & Chorlton

LINE-UP - 1. Barnes 2. Wright-Ocana 3. Giblin 4. Rooney 5. Fisher-Jones (c) 6. Hinnigan

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

Subs used - Smalley, Jamieson

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams & Billy Stirrup