When you come up against one of the best sides in the Division, who are battling for promotion, the last thing you need to do is give them a flying start. Unfortunately that's just what the Non-League Reds did, as with 2 minutes on the clock Ramsbottom United had taken the lead through a deflected effort from Oumar Camara. AFC responded positively and Elliot Taylor tried his luck from outside the box but his shot went well wide. On 10 minutes Matty Brown sent Taylor through on the keeper with a strong header, but he pulled his effort wide of the post when he looked certain to equalise.
The visitors then began to get on top and on 15 minutes Hayhurst forced a near post save from Parkinson. Radcliffe was proving a constant threat from right-back and he crossed for Tinker, who shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box. Parkinson then produced a good save from a strong strike by Hoyle, however, the AFC keeper could do nothing to stop a piledriver from Richard Baker on 37 minutes, as the visitors doubled their lead. Louie Lancaster was sinbinned for his part in the protests after the goal, as the referee had failed to spot a clear handball in the lead up to the visitor's 2nd goal. Ramsbottom had chances to put the game out of reach before the break, with Radcliffe hitting the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.
The 2nd half began in much the same way, as Ramsbottom's captain, Teague, hit the crossbar twice in as many minutes. Caleb Jones had a good effort from the edge of the box but straight at the keeper. However, it didn't take the visitors long to seal the points, when Camara bagged his 2nd goal of the game on 51 minutes. The game was over as a contest from this point but AFC kept fighting. Taylor went close on 73 minutes, but his effort was well saved and the keeper saved well again from Luke Porter free-kick in the closing minutes of the game. So a home defeat against a very strong and well organised outfit, who are worthy title contenders and with just 10 games to go until the end of the season, it will be interesting to see how the Team react.
The Non-League Reds face a tough trip to Irlam this coming Saturday, against another one of the top form sides in the League. Kick off is 3pm and all support will be greatly appreciated. If you can't make it to the game you can listen to live commentary as detailed on our 'X' (Twitter) account.
FINAL SCORE - AFC Liverpool 0 v 3 Ramsbottom United
LINE-UP - 1. Parkinson 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Giblin 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth 6. Murphy 7. Jones 8. Lancaster 9. Taylor 10. Brown 11. Paton
Subs used - Cunningham, Beckett, Wright-Ocana, Porter, Rooney
(Photos courtesy of Dave Williams)
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