Murphy's Law As Bobby's Double Beats Reds

With so many ex-AFC Liverpool players coming up against The Non-League Reds in the last couple of games, there was always a chance that one of them would have a big say in the outcome. That's exactly what happened in this local clash, as Bobby Murphy popped up with two 2nd half goals for City of Liverpool, including an injury time winner.

As was expected the game started at a frantic pace, what wasn't expected was the torrential rain that fell throughout most of the game. It only took the visitors 8 minutes to take the lead, when Andy Mandjoba was allowed to cut in from the left and curl a shot inside the far post from the edge of the box.

So another slow start by AFC, but they quickly got a grip in the game and on 26 minutes, an excellent long pass from Matty Brown over the head of the right full back, was controlled brilliantly by Caleb Jones. He ran in from the left edge of the area and finished well passed the keeper to level.

Just four minutes later, a carbon copy move resulted in AFC taking the lead. This time it was a great pass from Louie Lancaster over the full back, with Caleb Jones finishing just as confidently again. Jones thought he had a hat-trick on 40 minutes when he finished from a Joel Skillen cross, however, his celebrations were cut short as the assistant raised his flag and the score remained 2-1 at the break.

The visitors came out on the front foot and started the 2nd half the better of the two sides. Bobby Murphy went close on 52 minutes but it was only delaying the inevitable. Having just made a 58th minute substitution, AFC switched off as the "Purps" took a short throw and launched the ball into the box. Two free headers later and Murphy had levelled the scores. The home side responded well and on 65 minutes Caleb Jones played Adam Moorcroft in behind the defence. As the skipper readied himself to shoot, he was impeded by Murphy and the referee pointed to the spot. Elliot Taylor stepped up and scored his 3rd penalty of the week to restore AFC's lead.

At the restart Elliot Taylor was sinbinned for something he said and this invited more pressure on AFC as the visitors pushed to get level again. The home side managed to retain the lead during the period they were reduced to 10 men but City of Liverpool now had the momentum and continued to press. With five minutes of the game remaining Jack Hinnigan, who had played so well at the heart of the AFC defence, won another header in the area, however, the ball fell down to Clements who hit it home to level the tie again.

As the game moved into stoppage time, it always felt like there was one last twist in the tale. It was the former AFC man Murphy who broke the hearts of the home side players and fans by reacting to a 93rd minute goalmouth scramble to seal the win.

A disappointing end to the game and with a tough run of fixtures looming, The Non-League Reds need to turn their defensive record around in order to avoid drifting into a relegation battle as the season progresses.

Following the match it was confirmed that experienced goalkeeper, Ben Barnes, would be joining AFC from Burscough.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 3 v 4 City of Liverpool

LINE-UP - 1. Parkinson 2. Lancaster 3. Giblin 4. Rooney 5. Fisher-Jones (c) 6. Hinnigan

7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Brown 11. Skillen

Subs used - Moorcroft, Garrigan, Davies, Blankendal, Wright-Ocana

Photos courtesy of Billy Stirrup