1874 Northwich vs AFC Liverpool

Recap

LATE STRIKES NET ALL THREE POINTS

1874 NORTHWICH 4-1 AFC LIVERPOOL HSL PREMIER 13TH JANUARY 2018

Two late goals from leading scorer Scott McGowan ensured 1874 Northwich claimed all three points from their Hallmark Security League Premier Division fixture at St Luke’s Barton Stadium against AFC Liverpool.

Playing their first league game of 2018, 1874 Northwich extended their winning league run to six games, a run which dates back to October, but the victory was not as straight forward as the score line suggests as AFC Liverpool belied their lowly league position and created numerous problems for their hosts.

Oscar Billington, with his goalkeeper beaten twice cleared off the Liverpool goal line in the second minute to deny McGowan and Adam Whitlock. Taylor Kennerley and Whitlock both hit shots just off target in the opening minutes while Dan Boden cut out a dangerous Whitlock ball played into the six yard box. From the resultant corner Billington again came to his sides rescue blocking a Jack Pritchard header on the line.

1874 broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Kennerley delightfully curled a 25 yard free kick around the wall and out of the goalkeeper’s reach.

McGowan went close with a shot from 20 yards which whistled past the top corner of the goal frame before Greg Hall was called into action to save low down to keep out a shot from Joe Whittington.

As the half hour mark passed Kennerley drilled the ball across the face of Liverpool’s goal just out of the reach of Jake Parker sliding in at the far post, while moments later Ben Woods struck the woodwork with a fierce shot.

Liverpool started to come more into the game with Kevin Edgar firing in a shot which Hall comfortably dealt with and Lee Hughes acrobatically shooting over the bar.

The first half ended with a Whitlock free kick skimming off the head of Liverpool centre half John Holmes and only clearing the bar by a matter of inches.

A minute into the second half Holmes rose unchallenged to meet a corner with a thunderous header which cannoned off the foot of the goal post to Edgar, who smashed the ball home from six yards before 1874 could react.

Five minutes later 1874 regained the lead. As Kennerley delivered a free kick from the right, Ryan Mitchell nipped in front of the Liverpool goalkeeper to head the ball into the net from a couple of yards.

Eight minutes Liverpool keeper Dominic Garner reacting smartly to deflect a Parker shot onto the cross bar.

In an open entertaining game AFC Liverpool, without a league win since before Christmas, kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser and caused the 1874 rearguard a few anxious moments. Edgar twice went close, first shooting narrowly wide and then drilling an angled shot towards 1874’s goal forcing Hall to turn the ball away for a corner.

Garner was Liverpool’s savior on three occasions in a five minute spell. He was equal to a long range shot from Kazim Waite-Jackson, under pressure palmed away a dangerous cross from Kennerley and bravely blocked at the feet of Ryan Jackson.

However, he was unable to prevent McGowan doubling 1874’s advantage in the 85th minute. Parker made a run into the Liverpool area, slipping the ball to McGowan whose shot found its way into the net despite Garner’s best efforts.

The Liverpool custodian was beaten again in the 88th minute when McGowan emphatically converted from the penalty spot after Jackson had been brought down by Holmes.

1874 – Hall, Connor, Woods, Pritchard, Mitchell, M Woolley, Whitlock (R Jackson 74), Lever (Waite-Jackson 69), McGowan, Parker, Kennerley. Subs not used Riley, L Jackson, Haughton.

AFC LIVERPOOL – Garner, Howell, Billington, J Anderson Hill 33), Holmes, C Anderson, Boden (Schorah 68), Weston, Edgar, Whittington, Hughes (Ruttledge 58). Subs not used Cookson, Sloane.

GOALS – 1874 McGowan 85, 88p Kennerley 20, Mitchell 51 AFC Edgar 46

ATTENDANCE 276 REFEREE Jake Topp

1874 MAN OF THE MATCH = MATT WOOLLEY