The two League meetings between these clubs last season produced a total of 12 goals, so hopes were high of another exciting encounter and this match didn't disappoint the 800 plus fans who turned up at this fantastic venue.
The home side started the stronger and had a string of corners in the opening 5 minutes and also forced a fine save from Dave Parkinson, from a Jordan Lazenbury strike. However, AFC won a free-kick a minute later when Bavelock was fouled over towards the right wing. Caleb Jones swung in an inviting cross and Bobby Murphy hit it home from 6 yards out. West Didsbury kept knocking the ball around as they tried to build from the back, but some good pressing by AFC, forced the opposition in to hitting it long towards the front three when the opportunity arose. The Reds generally held their shape well and dealt with the threat that the home side posed going forward, although Billy Matthews went close with a header on 15 minutes. However, just on the half-hour mark, Jordan Lazenbury was played through as AFC switched off to a quick free-kick, his first effort was blocked by Parkinson but looped up back to him and he was able to head it across the area for Grimshaw to nod in and level the scores. It was only what the hosts deserved as they continued to show why they had won their last 6 home games. Both sides had half chances and Owen Fisher-Jones had to clear well from near his own goal line, but AFC kept working hard until the half came to an end and the teams went in level.
The fear was that AFC had worked so hard in the 1st half, it might take it's toll in the 2nd and Grimshaw went close to getting on the end of a cross in the first minute of the 2nd half. Then a couple of minutes later, a Caleb Jones free-kick found the head of Adam Moorcroft, forcing Martin into a fine save. West Didsbury & Chorlton continued to press and still looked threatening from set pieces. However, it was the visitors who edged in front again in the 55th minute, when a long ball from the skipper Adam Moorcroft towards Caleb Jones, caused hesitation and confusion in the host’s defence as Riley headed past Ollie Martin. Elliot Taylor reacted quickly to get there first, just getting to it before the keeper to knock it into the net. The home side forced AFC back but the back four of Fisher-Jones, Giblin, Murphy and particularly Matty Brown, stood strong and managed to head or kick everything clear.
As we entered the last 10 minutes, AFC were awarded a free-kick just inside the opposition half. Matty Brown hit it towards the left corner of the penalty area, where Moorcroft rose well to head it towards goal. West's keeper punched it out but it fell to Caleb Jones just outside the area and he struck it well to make it 3-1. Any thoughts that the win was secured were soon put to bed as Lazenbury reduced the deficit in the 87th minute, after Parkinson could only parry his initial effort. By this time the home side had everyone pushing up chasing the equaliser. As we moved into the 1st minute of four added minutes, another corner for the home side was cleared brilliantly by Murphy, finding Taylor on the halfway line. He played it out to Jones, who returned it inside to Taylor for him to hit a fantastic finish past the keeper, to restore The Reds two goal lead and notch his 19th of the season.
The drama wasn't finished there and AFC resolve was tested again as Banister struck in the 95th minute, after a corner was only half cleared, to reduce the lead again. Thankfully for AFC there wasn't enough time left for West to rescue a point and The Reds had earned another big 3 points on the road. The whistle went and the players went straight over to the AFC fans, who had been vocal in their support throughout the game and helped the lads to victory.
Next The Non-League Reds face perhaps their sternest test to date, when they welcome Bury to The Marine Travel Arena on Saturday. Please note that the kick-off is 1pm and get there early as there is likely to be a decent attendance for this fixture. As ever, it should be a great game and all support would be greatly appreciated.
UTNLR
Final Score - West Didsbury & Chorlton 3 v 4 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. Parkinson 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Giblin 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Brown
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Mahaffy 9. Taylor 10. Bavelock 11. Beckett
Subs Used - Cunningham, Lancaster, Williams
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