Macron Cup Joy For Reds

Elliot Taylor's two goals set AFC on their way to Round 3

This 2nd Round Macron Cup Tie was always likely to be a tense affair, and around 300 spectators came to watch it play out at the Berry Street Garage Stadium.

An even opening saw possession at both ends of the pitch, but it was Maghull who had the first effort of the game when Halligan's side-footed effort went well wide in the 2nd minute. Mark Madden got in behind the visitor's defence on 5 minutes but fired off target. It took until the 21st minute for the first strike of note, as Jacob Till forced a save from AFC keeper Dave Parkinson. On 24 minutes it was AFC Liverpool who found the breakthrough. A great long pass by Owen Fisher-Jones, was headed brilliantly into Elliot Taylor's path by Madden. Taylor ran into the area and finished calmly past the keeper.

Just three minutes later, Taylor doubled his and AFC's tally. This one came from a misplaced pass from the keeper straight to Taylor, who cheekily dinked the ball over the keeper and into the net for 2-0. Maghull almost pulled one back a few minutes later as Parkinson saved well from a Brannigan effort. The visitor's keeper then had to make a sharp save with his feet as his own defender deflected the ball towards the bottom corner. In the last minute of the half, Moffitt had a decent left-footed strike which Parkinson had to palm away from goal. With no more chances in the first half it was The Non-League Reds who went into the break two goals to the good.

AFC started the 2nd period on the front foot and had a couple of half chances, without testing the keeper. However, after 57 minutes, Louie Lancaster won the midfield aerial challenge and the ball fell to Joel Skillen. He controlled it brilliantly and set of on a skilful run into the box before laying it off to Caleb Jones to fire home AFC's third.

Caleb celebrates his goal to make it 3-0

Connor Rankin almost got on the end of a cross for the visitors just after the hour mark, but it was the home side who understandably looked quite comfortable at this stage. Caleb Jones shot straight at the keeper on 68 minutes and then came the strange event of the referee showing Fisher-Jones a red card for a 2nd booking, even though he hadn't actually received a 1st yellow! Fortunately common sense prevailed and the official realised his error and Owen was able to remain on the pitch.

Owen explaining it’s his 1st yellow!!

On 78 minutes Parkinson was called into action again, this time diving to his right to save a free-kick from Harrison Worden, who had a fine game for the visitors. To their credit, Maghull kept going and on 82 minutes, they gave themselves a chance when a corner from their right from Jamie Clark curled straight into the net to ma. AFC Liverpool should have had a 4th moments later when Taylor rounded the keeper but he and Caleb Jones seemed to get in each other's way and the chance went begging. A few moments later and the final whistle went to send AFC into round three of the Macron Cup, where they will face an away trip to Cammell Laird 1907.

Midweek action this week sees us facing a daunting trip to league leaders Padiham. The game is on Tuesday evening with a 7:45pm kick-off.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 3 v 1 Maghull

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

7. Jones 8. Lancaster 9. Taylor 10. Madden 11. Skillen

Subs used - Jamieson, Paton, Davies, Smalley

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams

and Billy Stirrup