A fine performance away at Selby Town put The Non-League Reds into the hat for the next round of The Isuzu FA Vase. Goals from Luke Byron, Adam Moorcroft and Elliot Taylor, sealed a convincing 3-1 victory.
It was always going to be difficult to play the ball well on what was a dry, bobbly pitch and although giving it a go, both sides struggled to get a grip of the ball initially. In fact it was the bobbly pitch that played a major role in the first goal of the game on 8 minutes, when a back pass towards Campbell in the AFC goal, took a bobble as the keeper went to kick it clear. It meant that Dawes was given the easiest task of just helping the ball into the goal, to give The Robins the lead.
Any fears that The Reds would be flat after conceding the early goal, were quickly dispelled as they went straight on the front foot and pressed hard for the equaliser. Firstly, Caleb Jones struck a 25 yard free kick against the crossbar, then a minute later Byron nutmegged a defender on the edge of the box and sent his shot narrowly wide. Jones hit the outside of the post with another effort and Taylor had a header saved well by the Keeper from 6 yards out and it began to look that it might be one of those days. However, the leveller eventually came on 31 minutes following a strong run from Matty Brown, who found Taylor wide right and his cross was headed home by Luke Byron. It was just reward for the way AFC had responded to going a goal down and when Caleb Jones's effort was adjudged not to have crossed the line just before half time, The Reds could consider themselves unfortunate to only be level at the break.
The 2nd half started with Matty Brown firing an effort over the bar, as The Reds confidence grew and they looked the more likely to take the lead. In the 66th minute, Alex McDonald got on the end of a fine ball from Adam Sudworth, before laying off to skipper, Adam Moorcroft to rifle home and give AFC the lead. The result never looked in doubt from this point on, although Selby did come close with a shot from a corner kick. However, a few minutes later and with 87 mins on the clock, Jack Flight cleverly played in Elliot Taylor, who lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper to seal the victory and take his tally for the season to double figures.
Manager Phil Stafford said, "It was a great way to respond after two defeats, the lads were really assured and patient. I thought we were the better side from start to finish. Suds was outstanding and Matty Brown excellent to name a couple, but they all played really well".
So The Non-League Reds deservedly go through to the 1st Round of The Isuzu FA Vase, where they will face another away trip, this time to Winsford United. The tie will take place on 19th October at 3pm.
Final Score - Selby Town 1 v 3 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. Campbell 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Lightfoot 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Brown 9. Taylor 10. Byron 11. Bavelock
Subs Used - McDonald, Lancaster, Flight, Williams, Skillen
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