The Non-League Reds had to make the long trip to Barnoldswick Town, for what was bound to be a difficult test. Having said that, AFC won the corresponding fixture last season, when two late Liam Paton goals were enough to take the points, so hopes were high for a repeat.
The hosts kicked down the slope in the first half and were immediately on the front foot. Having largely dominated possession in the early stages, they took the lead through a fine finish from Proctor, after good work from Butterworth and Stowe. Barnoldswick kept pressing and looked the more likely to add to their tally, as Andrew Hill dominated things in midfield. Thankfully for AFC, they managed to restrict the hosts to mainly long range efforts, that failed to test Parkinson in goal. AFC grew into the game as the half progressed and they finally began to look a threat. On the half-hour mark, a Caleb Jones corner was headed home by AFC captain Adam Moorcroft, only for the referee to harshly rule that the keeper had been fouled. Then, as half-time approached, Tom Beckett, having a good game on AFC's left, danced through a couple of challenges before unleashing a shot that hit the bar and went over. So the home side maintained their lead at the interval.
Barnoldswick almost doubled their lead in the opening minute of the 2nd half, when Proctor shot narrowly wide. On the hour mark Farmer forced Parkinson to tip the ball wide and Stowe was denied by the keeper shortly afterwards. Although not creating many clear chances, AFC had much better possession after the break and gradually started to look like they may get an equaliser, with both Dan Mahaffy and Elliot Taylor having half chances. Late into the half, the referee failed to give anything when Taylor was dragged to the ground as he tried to go past Butterworth down the right wing, however, within a few seconds the ball was back between the same two and this time Taylor managed to cross the ball to Caleb Jones inside the area. He took one touch and then finished brilliantly into the far corner. So the scores were level with just five minutes to go and although both sides pushed for a winner, neither really created that clear cut chance that could have stolen the points.
The next game for The Non-League Reds is a home fixture against local rivals Litherland REMYCA. It was only a few games ago that The Remy got the better of AFC in the reverse fixture and this weekend's game looks like being another good one. All support would be greatly appreciated and we look forward to seeing you there.
FINAL SCORE - Barnoldswick Town 1 v 1 AFC Liverpool
LINE UP - 1. Parkinson 2. Wright-Ocana 3. Giblin 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Fisher-Jones 6. Brown 7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Lancaster 11. Beckett
Subs Used - Rooney, Williams, Skillen
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