Jesse Strikes Again As AFC beat Saints

The Non-League Reds continued their good form, with another away win and another 3 points.

As usual these days, the weather was atrocious and both sets of players had to deal with strong wind and heavy rain. This might have contributed to quite an uneventful 1st half, with very few chances of note and not much excitement to get the supporters of either side too excited.

Elliot Taylor shot wide from just outside the box on 8 minutes and another effort in the 26th minute, straight into the keeper's hands. There wasn't many more chances of note despite a number of set pieces and hopeful crosses into the area from both teams.

The closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock was a 43rd minute strike from Nathan Giblin, which home keeper Joe Mason, did well to turn round the post.

The 2nd half started in much the same way, with lots of endeavour but not a lot to show for it. The home side went close, when Sharp side-footed an effort just wide. Then moments later, Sinnott missed the target after a good run for the hosts.

AFC went down the other end and, following a fine cross from Jesse Gerrard, Elliot Taylor fired straight at the keeper from point blank range. Mason saved well again, from a Deacon Smalley drive, diving to his left to concede a corner. The 2nd half was already a much better spectacle than the 1st and chances were being created much more regularly.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, when young Jesse Gerrard popped up at the back post to knock in a Caleb Jones corner from the left. It was Jesse's 2nd goal in as many starts and nothing less than his work rate deserved.

FC St Helens responded positively and five minutes later Van-Aston fired a left-footed strike wide of the post. Jesse Gerrard was denied a 2nd goal in the 73rd minute, when Mason made a fine save low to his left. Van-Aston fired over from the edge of the box as the game flowed from one end to the other.

With ten minutes to go, the home side had strong penalty appeals turned away, when the ball struck Owen Fisher-Jones's hand in the area. They continued to press looking for the equaliser but the AFC defensive performed tremendously well again to restrict the number of chances, although Brannigan went close with a shot late on.

With the game deep into added on time, Cam Rooney did well to win the ball and put Elliot Taylor one on one with the keeper. However, Mason saved well with his feet and the ball came back out to Rooney who found Taylor again. This time the AFC striker decided to take the ball round the keeper and was brought down. The resulting penalty was confidently dispatched for Elliot's 43rd goal of the season and seconds later the final whistle sounded.

The Non-League Reds are on the road again on Thursday evening, for their last away game of the season. The opponents are an in-form Prestwich Heys side and kick-off is 7:45pm. All travelling support will be greatly appreciated.

FINAL SCORE - FC St Helens 0 v 2 AFC Liverpool

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

7. C. Jones 8. Rooney 9. Taylor 10. Giblin 11. Gerrard

Subs used - A. McShane, Jamieson

Photos courtesy of Veo