Five Star Reds Win At Home

AFC players celebrate Caleb's opener

The Non-League Reds got their first League win at their new home, and did so in style with a convincing 5-1 victory against FC Isle of Man.

It was already an important game at this stage of the season as both sides searched for points at the wrong end of the table. Adam Moorcroft headed over in the early stages of the match, as the home side looked for a fast start. FC Isle of Man threatened with a free-kick from the edge of the area. Liam Paton was looking threatening and Paddy Davies had started well for AFC. Moorcroft almost got onto a Caleb Jones cross on the half hour mark.

Owen Fisher-Jones had a good headed opportunity and then on 35 minutes Liam Paton won the ball and played a great pass out to the right, where Caleb Jones controlled it and struck from the right hand edge of the area into the far corner, to give AFC the lead. Jack Hinnigan had another headed opportunity for AFC but the half ended with the Reds leading 1-0.

Caleb Jones fires home to open the scoring

The 2nd half started quite evenly and on 56 minutes Moorcroft fired over from just inside the area. FC Isle of Man made a substitution just after the hour mark, bringing Luke Booth on up front and within seconds the striker fired past Ben Barnes to level the scores. The visitors the looked threatening for the next few minutes and in previous matches this season, this could have signalled a drop in levels from the boys in red but on this occasion it seemed to have the opposite effect.

With 72 minutes on the clock, Harry Wright Ocana, who had been having an excellent game at right-back, played the ball to Paddy Davies who then exchanged passes with Caleb Jones before crossing to Wright-Ocana, who had continued his run into the box and found the back of the net with a left foot finish.

Harry celebrates his first goal for AFC

Just three minutes later and the Reds added an amazing 3rd goal. The visiting keeper came out to clear a long ball from the back, however, Adam Moorcroft continued to chase the pass and forced the keeper to miscue his clearance. The ball fell to Caleb Jones some forty yards from goal, who didn't hesitate and struck the ball into the net for his 7th of the season.

Caleb’s long range finish for the 3rd goal

By this point there was only going to be one winner as AFC swarmed forward, looking to add to their tally every time they attacked. In the 80th minute, more great work from Paddy Davies found him one on one with the keeper from a tight angle. Davies unselfishly squared the ball to Liam Paton to fire home to make it four.

Liam Paton runs to the fans after making it four

The with five minutes left of the ninety, Moorcroft played a through ball to Jones who was initially held up by the left-back. However, Jones knocked it out of his feet and fired a shot at goal which the keeper did well to save, only to see it fall to Moorcroft for a well deserved goal.

The skipper pops up to make it five for AFC

So a well deserved first League victory at home, great performances from 1-16 and hopefully something that the Team can build on as the season progresses.

Paddy Davies put in a fantastic performance for AFC

This Saturday sees a break from League action, as Daisy Hill are the visitors to the Berry Street Garage Stadium, for the Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Tie. The visitors are at the wrong end of the NWCFL 1st Division North, but with a recent change of Manager and an influx of new signings, it's sure to be an exciting game. All support would be greatly appreciated.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 5 v 1 FC Isle of Man

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

7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Paton 10. Davies 11. Brown

Subs used - Blankendal, Rooney, Lancaster, Foy, Jamieson

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams and Paul Moran