After performing bravely against title favourites Bury two days earlier, The Non-League Reds would have hoped to put in a similar performance at home to Ashton Athletic, in this 2nd round Macron Cup tie. However, the reality was sadly very different, as the visitors, who sit in 6th position in the Division below, thoroughly deserved their victory and a place in the next round.
Ashton set the pace from the first whistle, forcing AFC's keeper Parkinson to tip the ball over the bar three times in the first five minutes. The visitors continued to knock the ball around easily, as there seemed to be a lack of intensity in the home side's pressing. It was no surprise when on 18 minutes, Ashton Athletic took the lead through Jack Smith, after AFC got caught trying to play out from the back. The visitors kept pushing forward as AFC still failed to spring to life and on 26 minutes Josh Nicholson picked up a headed clearance from the AFC defence and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner from a 30 yards.
Two goals down, AFC finally started to compete a little and created a couple of half chances. Caleb Jones hit a free-kick into the side netting but a couple of minutes later, Ashton almost put themselves out of sight, but Larkin's attempt went well wide. As the half drew to a close, AFC were gifted an opportunity to drag themselves back into contention, when Adam Moorcroft was brought down in the area and Elliot Taylor stepped up to notch his 20th goal of the season.
The 2nd half began with renewed hope, as the AFC faithful did their best to get behind the Team. Giblin had a chance in the opening minute of the half, but could only shoot tamely at the Ashton keeper. Despite a better start by AFC, they were still sloppy in possession, with too many turnovers leading to half chances for the opposition. Caleb Jones delivered a couple of dangerous crosses from the right but just out of reach of his team mates. Beca almost restored the visitor's two goal advantage on 64 minutes, when he broke clear of the AFC defence but put his effort wide. The Reds then had their best period of the game, as firstly Taylor went close with a header, then Skillen went wide with an effort from the edge of the box. That was the sum of decent chances though and Ashton weathered that brief storm. Parkinson was forced to make an acrobatic save on 75 minutes from an Ashton free-kick. As AFC continued to press late into the game, Ashton broke free and the cross was finished off by Joshua High to confirm their victory, in the 89th minute. So a very disappointing night for AFC but a deserved win for the visitors and we wish Ashton Athletic all the best for the next round.
The Non-League Reds move on to Saturday hoping for an improved performance, as they face a short trip to local rivals Litherland REMYCA. Kick-off is 3pm and all support would be greatly appreciated.
Final Score - AFC Liverpool 1 v 3 Ashton Athletic
Team - 1. Parkinson 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Cunningham 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Brown
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Lancaster 11. Giblin
Subs Used - Skillen, Lightfoot, Williams, Cummins
(Pics courtesy of Paul Moran)
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