AFC Liverpool vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

TOM DELIVERS EARY CHRISTMAS PRESENT
By Garry Clarke

1874 Northwich head into the Christmas holidays on a high thanks to a 79th minute Tom Bailey goal which delivered 3 points at the Marine Travel Arena.

In a breathtaking opening, Connor Belger took advantage of an 1874 mix up in midfield to advance downfield before his shot was deflected wide by Mark Jones. Scott McGowan saw his shot deflected wide while Mikey White blocked an effort from Bailey and Tyler Edwards hit the rebound wide. Marvin Molyneux smuggled the ball off the line and into the grateful hands of Liverpool keeper Germand Mendes in a goalmouth scramble.

All this in the first five minutes of an entertaining, and at times feisty, game between two hard working evenly matched sides, although 1874 always seemed to hold the upper hand.

McGowan was denied in the 17th minute when his goal bound shot got stuck in between Mendes’ legs, while Greg Hall did well to save a long range Jack Leamey effort.

Bailey was denied in the 32nd minute by a perfectly timed last ditch tackle by Dimitrious Christou as the 1874 hit man was about to turn a Sam Hind cross home from close range. Ten minutes later Bailey saw a close range shot roll across the face of goal and inches wide.

1874 dominated the second half constantly pushing forward, while the home side were content to hit on the break, shoot from long range or launch aimless high balls into the 1874 area. Liverpool’s attacking efforts were thwarted by a resolute 1874 defence superbly marshaled by Mark Jones and backed up by Hall’s safe and confident handling. Hall saved well to keep out a long range Leamey shot and caught a Jason Carey header on the hour mark when a good cross from the left found him unmarked, but with the goal at his mercy headed the ball into the ground.

In the opening minutes of the second half Sam Hind headed a cross onto the Liverpool bar and Same Hare drew a fine save from Mendes. In the 76th minute the Liverpool No. 1 saved well to keep out a Ryan Jackson shot, while Hind put the rebound just wide.

The decisive moment came from a corner which fell in a crowded penalty area to Bailey who swept the ball the ball into the Liverpool net sparking wild celebrations on and off the field from those dressed in green.

The home side tried to step up a gear in search of an equalizer in the closing stages but never looked like scoring as 1874 drew level on points with Atherton Collieries and Bootle in the four team group chaing Runcorn Town and the top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table.

AFC Liverpool- Mendes, Christou, White, Swatton, Molyneux, Calvert (Hont 77), Smith, Belger, Leamey, Carey, Adegbenro Subs not used Wright, Dalton, Whelan, Toohey

1874 Hall, Mitchell, Russell, Mark Jones, Thomas, Hare, Hind, Waldron (Matthew Woolley 70), Bailey, McGowan, Edwards (Jackson 46, Jack Woolley77) Subs not used Lee Jones, Whitlock

GOAL – Bailey 79
Referee Michael Crusham Attendance 189