Reds Battle Hard To Take The Points
- daveinnelli
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
A battling performance from all the Team, some last ditch blocks and great saves from Ben Barnes, ensured that AFC came away from Chadderton with a fantastic 1-0 success and more importantly, 3 more points in the battle to move up the table.
In the 10th minute, Benito Lowe got in behind the visitors defence but somehow, Owen Fisher-Jones made a great block to deny him. However, the ball broke nicely for Connor Berry, who's first time effort was tipped brilliantly over the bar by Barnes. Five minutes later and Barnes was on hand again to palm away an effort from Lowe, as the home side continued to look dangerous going forward.
A minute later, AFC's right-back Deacon Smalley, received the ball wide on the right and whipped over a right footed cross towards the back post, looking for an AFC head. However, the ball swerved towards the goal, over the keeper's head and nestled nicely into the back of the net.
The home side responded strongly and Lowe went close again as he curled an effort just wide. Elliot Taylor tried a shot from distance that went well wide but it was the home side that continued to create the better chances. Just before the half hour mark, Lowe wasted Chadderton's best chance after a good run into the area and control on his chest, ended with his effort going narrowly over the bar from 6 yards out. AFC held on until the break without much more clear threat on their goal, as they started to enjoy more periods of possession themselves.
Five minutes after the restart, Flynn went close with a Chadderton free-kick. A few minutes later, Taylor got through for AFC but was pushed wide and his shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper. Both sides had lots of possession without causing a real threat, but then as the game went into the last five minutes of the ninety, Barnes was forced to save an effort with his feet, the ball was hit in again and headed against the post by a Chadderton player. The home side were throwing everything they had at The Non-League Reds by this point, but the visitors kept fighting for every ball, getting in blocks and headers when required.
The final whistle blew and the relief could be felt around the AFC ranks. The Reds rode their luck but more importantly fought hard to ensure that they took all three points back home with them. They were more than ably assisted by the AFC fans behind the goal who never stopped singing throughout.
This midweek sees The Non-League Reds in local derby action on Tuesday evening, when South Liverpool visit the Berry Street Garage Stadium. Kick off is 7:45pm and all support will be greatly appreciated.
FINAL SCORE - Chadderton 0 v 1 AFC Liverpool
LINE-UP - 1. Barnes 2. Smalley 3. Giblin 4. Brown 5. Fisher-Jones 6. Hinnigan 7. Moorcroft (c) 8. Starkey 9. Taylor 10. Madden 11. Davies
Subs used - Rooney, Lancaster, Wright-Ocana, Blankendal
Photos courtesy of Dave Williams