Squires Gate should be higher than their current position in the table, but the form book doesn't lie and they came into this game with no wins in their last 15 games. However, this was always going to be a much sterner test than the League table suggested. The muddy pitch, hailstones, and a very dubious red card, just added to the mix in a battle against a team fighting against relegation.
It was clear that the home side fancied their chances in this one and it took only 5 minutes for striker Dean Ing to get his customary goal against AFC. A shot from Coop hit the post and came back out to Ing, who finished well. As the conditions worsened, it was clear The Non-League Reds had a battle on their hands. Squires Gate continued to press and looked particularly threatening from corners and long throws, but they never really tested the returning Dom Garner in the AFC goal. AFC responded well and Elliot Taylor thought he'd equalised 2 minutes later but was denied by the linesman's flag, when he looked well onside. Liam Paton went close on 15 minutes, when the keeper pushed his effort wide. The game was quite open but not many clear cut chances were being created. However, on 36 minutes a good AFC move resulted in Adam Moorcroft firing home to level the scores and claim his 8th goal of the season. This is how it stayed until half-time, despite AFC trying to push for the lead.
The 2nd half followed much the same pattern of possession changing hands on a regular basis and not much in the way of big chances for either side, just a few goalmouth scrambles. AFC started to assert themselves and on 65 minutes the keeper saved well from Caleb Jones and had to do the same from a fine Louie Lancaster effort seconds later. AFC eventually got their 2nd on 69 minutes, when Paton found Caleb Jones who finished well from the edge of the box. Unfortunately for AFC they failed to press home their advantage and the home side equalised just 4 minutes later, when Harries was given too much time and picked his spot to fire past Garner.
Moments later, the game was turned on it's head as the referee made a poor decision to send off Nathan Giblin for a handball 40 yards from goal, when the ball was struck straight at him. AFC regrouped well and although there were further chances for both sides, the best ones fell to Caleb Jones, who forced more good saves from the keeper. Squires Gate thought they had taken all 3 points when Ing headed home in injury time but the wild celebrations were cut short, when the linesman flagged for offside. The final whistle went soon after and both sides had to settle for a point.
The Non-League Reds face Ramsbottom United at The Marine Travel Arena on Saturday, in a tough test against one of the top sides in the League. Kick off is 3pm and all support will be greatly appreciated.
If you can't make it to the game but would like to support the Club with some much needed funds, you can now purchase virtual tickets via this website and as part of that you will also receive a PDF of the matchday programme and highlights from the match. You can also listen to the live commentary of the game as detailed on our 'X' (Twitter) account.
FINAL SCORE - Squires Gate 2 v. 2 AFC Liverpool
LINE-UP - 1. Garner 2. Cunningham 3. Giblin 4. Murphy 5. Brown 6. Sudworth 7. Jones 8. Lancaster 9. Taylor 10. Paton 11. Moorcroft (c)
Subs used - Porter, Beckett, Wright-Ocana
(Photo courtesy of Billy Stirrup)
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