Two more goals from Elliot Taylor and a towering header from Matty Brown, ensured that Liverpool FC weren't the only team to return from Manchester at the weekend with 3 goals and 3 points.
The Non-League Reds started promisingly as an early headed effort was saved easily by the Cheadle keeper. It was quite an even 1st half as AFC held their shape well and were patient in possession. Cheadle looked threatening when going forward, but assured defending ensured that chances were kept to a minimum. In the 22nd minute, The Reds won a corner on their left. A fine delivery from Jack Flight was met strongly at the back post by Matty Brown, to head home and give The Reds a 1-0 lead.
Cheadle created a few chances of their own soon afterwards and should have done better with a chance that fell to Martin on the volley, but he failed to get the clean connection required. McGovern in the AFC goal atoned for his poor throw out straight to a Cheadle striker, by making a fine save from the subsequent strike at goal. AFC continued to have good spells of passing and looked a real threat going forward as they maintained their 1-0 lead going into halftime.
The 2nd half started evenly with both sides pushing forward without creating many chances. However, The Reds started to dominate possession and could have added to their lead, through efforts from Moorcroft and Taylor. This spell of pressure was rewarded in the 59th minute when Edan Bavelock closed the keeper down and forced a bad pass that fell to Matty Brown, he played it nicely through to Elliot Taylor, who finished superbly from just inside the area. AFC looked comfortable at this point, as their high energy levels forced errors from the opposition. That said, Cheadle did threaten a few times during the 2nd half and it needed some brave last ditch defending and a couple of saves to maintain the two goal advantage. The points were deservedly secured in the 83rd minute when substitute, Joel Skillen showed typical determination to win back possession and was upended as he ran into the penalty area. Elliot Taylor stepped up to to make it 3-0.
Another hard fought performance, with the whole 16 man squad again playing their part in earning another 3 points. The shift put in by everyone deserves a shout out, as does the terrific support from The Non-League Reds travelling fans.
Final Score - Cheadle Town 0 v 3 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. McGovern 2. Lightfoot 3. Giblin 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth
6. Fisher-Jones 7. Flight Jones 8. Brown 9. Taylor 10. Byron 11. Bavelock
Subs Used - Lancaster, Skillen, Cunningham, Butterworth, S. Smith
(Pics courtesy of Billy Stirrup)
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