Saints Stun Reds With 2nd Half Goals

It was another disappointing outcome for the Non-League Reds during the week, as local rivals FC St Helens, hit four 2nd half goals to secure the win.

The tie started evenly, with lots of endeavour but few chances other than a few skirmishes in both areas. However, on 20 minutes Josh Briggs fired the visitors ahead with a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. A couple of minutes later the referee stopped play and called for a drinks break, as the humid conditions from earlier in the day persisted.

Briggs gives the visitors the lead

Following the restart, AFC began to get a foothold in the game and Adam Moorcroft forced Saint's keeper Joe Mason, into a world class save from a point blank header. Mason saved well again from Skillen a few moments later, as the home side pushed for an equaliser. James Flight was perhaps fortunate only to see a yellow card for an off the ball incident and Caleb Jones fired over from the resulting free-kick.

AFC started the 2nd half very much on the front foot and just 3 minutes into it, good closing down by the excellent Joel Skillen, forced an error from Mason. The ball broke to Elliot Taylor who fired home from outside the box to level.

Elliot levels the scores

At this point it looked like The Non-League Reds would push on for a 2nd goal, however, to their credit, the visitors retook the lead on 57 minutes, when Tom McNamara headed home. It was McNamara again on hand to score the visitors 3rd on 70 minutes and from this point the contest was virtually at an end. Late goals were added by Ferry (85th) and Briggs (90+2) as FC St Helens hit five. The score flattered the visitors somewhat but they had done well to get back in front and then push home their advantage ruthlessly, as AFC heads dropped.

It's back to FA Cup action this Saturday, with an away tie at Witton Albion. The hosts beat Cheadle Town 4-1 in the last round and this is sure to be another big occasion for AFC. If you can make the journey to support the lads it will be greatly appreciated. See you Saturday!

FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 1 v 5 FC St Helens

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

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

Subs Used - Paton, Rooney, Blankendal, Wright-Ocana, Jamieson

Attendance - 184

Pics courtesy of Dave Williams www.afcliverpool.smugmug.com

and Paul Moran