AFC Liverpool vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

AFC LIVERPOOL 3 V 3 1874 NORTHWICH

A healthy Wednesday night crowd of 221 were treated to a six goal thriller as both sides created many chances and either side could have gained the maximum points.

1874 had Matt Conkie back in goal after he had recovered from injury as had Matty Beadle who was in the starting line up for the first time this season.

On an excellent playing surface both sides set out to play attractive football and as early as the second minute 1874 nearly took the lead but after good work on the left side Beadle’s effort on goal was straight at the home keeper who was not troubled.

However it was just three minutes later when 1874 did go in front and it was Beadle who finished off a good move that involved Ward and Jackson.

However, the home side were certainly not on the back foot as they pushed relentlessly forward in search of an equaliser and this deservedly came in the 15th minute after Ward had carelessly lost possession. The ball was quickly played into the path of Steven Jones who scored easily from eight yards out.

This equaliser seemed to inspire the home side and they took the game to 1874 and in the 22nd minute they took the lead with a well-worked goal as Evans’s inviting cross from the right was slotted home by Barry after skipper Cox had cleverly stepped over the ball to distract the 1874 defenders.

Just after the half hour mark Ryan Mitchell was injured and had to leave the field to be replaced by Steve McNichol with Matt Woolley dropping back to the centre of the defence but even so Woolley very nearly brought his side level with a stunning 30 yard drive that was heading for the top corner but the home keeper saved well at the expense of a corner. However, the equaliser did arrive and just two minutes later with Beadle getting his second goal – this time from the penalty spot after a foul had been committed in the penalty area.

Although this goal put the teams level there still remained some concern in the 1874 camp as far too often possession was being lost due to some poor passing. Half-time 2-2

1874 started the second half well and some good work by Ward set Jackson free on the right but his effort on goal went high and wide. Shortly afterwards Ward had a good effort well saved by the keeper as he tipped the ball on to and then over the bar.

Play was switching from end to end with both teams playing some direct but attractive football and there certainly looked to be more goals in the game and so it was as AFC Liverpool went 3-2 up in the 53rd minute – again after 1874 had lost possession far too easily – and once again it was Barry applying the final touch to beat Conkie.

AFC were on top now and some good defending was necessary from 1874 and this was provided in the main by Danny Thomas, Woolley and Paul Connor whilst Conkie once again showed his safe handling capabilities

Then in the 74th minute the third equalising goal of a pulsating game arrived and what a goal it was! Beadle was involved in the build-up play and when he passed the ball to Ward 20 yards out Ward didn’t need a second invitation to strike the ball powerfully with his trusty left foot and the delight was there for all to see as the ball sailed into the top right hand corner of the net.

In the final quarter both sides pressed for a winner but it was not to be and perhaps that was the “right thing” in as much as neither side deserved to lose what turned out to be an exciting advert the North West Counties Football League

1874: Conkie; Connor; Mitchell; Thomas; James; Chappell; Woolley; Jackson; Ward; Beadle and Brandon, Substitute McNichol (replaced Mitchell after 31 minutes: Substitutes unused: Kirk; Ledwards; Tulloch and Bowyer

Goals: Beadle 3 and 34 (pen) and Ward 74

Referee: Mr J Mainwaring

Attendance: 221