Luke Byron scored a wonderful goal that was worthy of winning any game of football at any level, but where do we begin with this match! Nine goals, nine different scorers, played in intermittent downpours of torrential rain, it was everything that is great about this level of the game.
Charnock Richard started brightly, as they knocked the ball around with ease and made it difficult with their movement off the ball. However, it was The Non-League Reds who took the lead on just 7 minutes when Bobby Murphy's long pass was only partially intercepted by the Charnock defender and Elliot Taylor ran through on goal. The keeper saved well but Nathan Giblin was on hand to rifle the rebound in.
A Caleb Jones effort a few minutes later just curled wide of the post and then Charnock could have equalised, with a free header from eight yards out that went wide. And then the heavens opened and boy did they open! It was a credit to both teams that their intensity didn't drop. Charnock continued to attack with purpose and missed another great chance from inside the box, whilst AFC had a goal disallowed when Taylor was adjudged to have been offside, following the first of many rampages up the pitch from Bobby Murphy. Adam Moorcroft then went close, following another good effort from Caleb Jones. Another half chance for Taylor was blocked and from the resulting corner the keeper was forced into a fine save from a Joe Cunningham strike. However, the ball broke wide to Caleb Jones who curled it in to give The Reds a 2-0 lead in the 28th minute.
Any thoughts that Charnock heads would drop were quickly dispelled when 4 minutes later, a 22 yard strike from Haydock found the bottom corner of McGovern's goal. With their hopes raised, Charnock pushed hard for an equaliser and they didn't have to wait long, as on 38 minutes they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. The strike deflected and McGovern did well to react but the rebound was converted by Ridings. The Reds reacted well and should have restored their lead just before half time, when Taylor rounded the keeper but had his shot blocked on the line. Then Charnock went up the other end and forced McGovern to save well with his feet, to ensure it was all square after an exciting first half.
The 2nd half began with AFC knocking the ball around well and Murphy going close. Caleb Jones had another shot just wide of the target and then on 53 minutes a through ball found Taylor, who blasted past the keeper to restore the lead. Almost immediately, Jack McGovern was forced to save well from a Charnock effort. Some solid defending from Fisher-Jones, Giblin, Sudworth and man of the match, Bobby Murphy, kept Charnock at bay, as did the relentless running of The Reds midfield. On 73 minutes all the hard work was rewarded when Joe Cunningham was put clean through and kept his composure to fire it past the keeper to extend the lead. Five minutes later the points looked secured as Luke Byron won possession just inside his own half, ran towards goal, cut inside and curled a brilliant effort into the top corner.
The points might have looked secure but Charnock had other ideas, as they threw everything at the AFC goal. McGovern saved one from distance but could do nothing on 88 minutes when the excellent Nickeas struck home from the edge of the box. Elliot Taylor was then given offside when he looked to be in his own half and from the resulting free kick a goalmouth scramble resulted in a 4th goal for Charnock in the 92nd minute. Charnock had one last chance which was blocked and this amazing game was finally at an end. A fantastic effort from 1 to 16 to earn the 3 points and a great night for The Reds travelling support, who helped the players get over the finishing line for the win.
Final Score - Charnock Richard 4 v 5 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. McGovern 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Cunningham 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Giblin 11. Bavelock
Subs Used - Byron, Flight, Lightfoot, Cummins, Williams
(Pics courtesy of Billy Stirrup)
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