Reds Progress in FA Vase

The Non-League Reds secured their place in the nest round of The Isuzu FA Vase, with a 2-1 home success against Daisy Hill. The visitors came into the game having made a number of new signings following a recent change of manager.

The game started end to end and it was clear that the visitors had been strengthened by their new acquisitions. Caleb Jones forced the first save of the game and Liam Paton almost got in moments later. The home side weren't having it all their own way though and Daisy Hill went close with an 18th minute effort. It was the away side that had the clearer chances as the half progressed and they should have taken the lead on 36 minutes, when Ben Barnes had to pull off a good save from Moore's effort.

A minute later, Paton again had half a chance but his header was off target. In the 41st minute Caleb Jones played a great diagonal pass to Adam Moorcroft, the skipper controlling the ball well before curling a shot into the far corner to give AFC a narrow lead at the break.

Adam Moorcroft gives AFC the lead

Within a minute of the restart, the same combination helped AFC to double their lead. This time it was an inswinging corner from Caleb Jones was knocked home by the Skipper, to give the home side a more comfortable lead. However, any thoughts that it would be easy for the rest of the game, were quickly dispelled in the 55th minute when Moore ran through to finish well past Barnes.

Hand up if you’ve scored two!! Adam strikes again.

Daisy Hill should have levelled on the hour mark when Barnes saved and the ball fell to Sheppard, however, the striker fired over the bar and the home fans breathed a sigh of relief. Liam Paton forced a good save from the keeper and then AFC had a chance to stretch their lead on 71 minutes when Owen Fisher-Jones was felled in the area. Cameron Rooney stepped up to take the spot kick but Jude Smith dived to his right to save well. Joel Skillen fired an effort against the crossbar as the game went in to the final five minutes but AFC had done enough to get through. Their reward for the win, is a tough trip to Barnoldswick Town in the next round. The game will take place on Saturday 18th October.

It's knockout action again this weekend, as we take on South Liverpool in the Macron Cup 1st Round. The two sides met at the same stage last season, with AFC running out 3-0 victors. The game will be played at Jericho Lane despite AFC being drawn at home, due to the rearranged Daisy Hill game and lack of availability of our home pitch this weekend. Kick-off is 3pm and all support will be welcome, for what is bound to be a fiercely contested match.

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 2 v 1 Daisy Hill

LINE-UP - 1. Barnes 2. Wright-Ocana 3. Fisher-Jones 4. Brown 5. Hinnigan 6. Lancaster

7. Jones 8. Rooney 9. Moorcroft (c) 10. Davies 11. Paton

Subs used - Skillen, Smalley, Foy

Photos courtesy of Paul Moran