Taylor Made Hat-trick Beats Pilks

Elliot Taylor hit his first hat-trick for The Non-League Reds, as they picked up a much needed win away at Pilkington.

As expected the game started at a fast pace in bright sunshine. However, it was AFC who broke the deadlock on 8 minutes, when Dan Mahaffy played in Joel Skillen on the left side of the penalty area. Skillen crossed and Elliot Taylor was on hand to turn the ball home from inside the 6 yard box.

Elliot Taylor breaks the deadlock

Ethan Danku cut inside and forced Parkinson to tip the ball over his bar, with the home side's first effort of the match. It was Joel Skillen who found himself in a similar position after 22 minutes. This time his cross was cleared but only via the hand of a Pilkington defender. Elliot Taylor stepped up to fire home the spot kick and double AFC's lead.

Taylor makes it two from the spot

Cameron Rooney hit an effort straight at McGovern a minute later as the visitors looked well on top. As the confidence grew, Caleb Jones hit a left footed drive over the bar and then forced McGovern in to a straightforward save from a free-kick from a couple of yards outside the box. Any sign of a threat from Pilkington was dealt with well by the AFC backline. The half-time whistle blew with AFC totally in control and looking good for their 2-0 advantage.

As expected, the home side came out with a different attitude after the break, and AFC were forced back in the opening exchanges of the half. Ryan Beigan hit a long-range free-kick narrowly over the bar, Danku had an effort that flew over and Tom Douglas had a couple of decent chances, without threatening the keeper. However, any chance of getting back in the game was ended on 70 minutes when Taylor was felled in the area. He brushed himself down and fired in the penalty to get his and AFC's third. It was the first time that Elliot had scored a hat-trick for The Non-League Reds.

OLE!! Elliot completes his hat-trick

Ayden Garrigan came on to make his AFC debut in the 72nd minute and less than two minutes later received a fine pass from Adam Moorcroft, cut inside and fired a low shot past the keeper to make it 4-0. It was surely the quickest debut goal in AFC's history and a great way for Garrigan to start his time with the Club.

Ayden Garrigan fires home on his debut

Elliot Taylor was denied a 4th goal by a fine save, so that was the end of the goalscoring and completed a confident display from AFC, that secured their first League win of the season. The Non-League Reds have another tough game on Saturday at home to local rivals City of Liverpool. Kick off is 3pm and we look forward to seeing you there.

FINAL SCORE - Pilkington 0 v 4 AFC Liverpool

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

7. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Brown 11. Rooney

Subs Used - Davies, Garrigan, Blankendal, Moorcroft, Wright-Ocana

Attendance - 120

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