1874 Northwich vs AFC Liverpool

Recap

1874 NORTHWICH 0-1 AFC LIVERPOOL NWCFL PREMIER 19TH AUGUST 2014

A freakish goal condemned 1874 Northwich to their first NWCFL defeat since December and first at the Barton Stadium since September, losing 1-0 to AFC Liverpool on a frustrating evening.

1874 Northwich dominated the first half with Dave Short twice going close to opening the scoring in the opening ten minutes, in between Short’s two efforts on goal lee Duckworth had a shot turned onto the bar by AFC Liverpool’s goalkeeper Ryan Jones.

AFC posed little attacking threat but Matt Conkie was forced to pull off two fine saves to deny Francis Barry and Ryan Cox, as did Jones at the other end to prevent Matty Ward and Short on two further occasions. When Matty Beadle managed to get the ball past the outstanding Jones a Liverpool defender managed to get back to clear off the line.

After the break 1874 continued attacking with both Ward and Paul Connor ending good runs with shots at goal in the opening minutes of the second half, Ward’s attempt drew a fine save from Jones, while Connor’s was cleared off the line by a defender.

AFC Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a bizarre goal. A long ball was played into the 1874 area, both defender and attacker seemed to lose the flight of the ball as dropped out of the night sky, hitting James Robinson on the back it diverted past Conkie and nestled in the back of the net.

1874 continued pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Ward had two shots at goal in the closing stages, one just being inches wide of the target and one being well saved by Jones. Connor also went close but his shot was also wide after Mike Brandon had headed a Duckworth cross into his path.

1874 had a late penalty claim turned down when Jones clashed with Brandon allowing AFC Liverpool, who had worked hard all night to frustrate their opponents not giving them a second to settle on the ball, to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

1874 – Conkie, Mitchell, Duckworth, Farnworth, Aston (Crofts 76mins), Woolley, Connor, Abdullah, Short (Hurst 61mins), Beadle (Brandon 61mins), Ward. Subs not used Bowyer, Fossdyke.

AFC LIVERPOOL – Jones, Givan, Mahama, Sinnot, Valentine, Peers, Williams, L.Loughlin, Robinson (Purcell 76mins), Barry, Cox. Subs not used Picton, D.Loughlin, Banyihwabe.

Referee S.Mycock Attendance 316

Sponsors (The Workers) man of the match – Sakeel Abdullah.