The Non-League Reds fell to a 2-3 defeat at FC St Helens, as the Saints completed a six point haul from the two recent League encounters between the sides. After looking so assured in their previous game, AFC didn't start well and paid the price in only the 4th minute, when McNamara ran through and lofted the ball over Parkinson to give Saints the lead. The home side looked the more threatening going forward but didn't have it all their own way as AFC pushed hard for the equaliser. On 32 minutes, Louie Lancaster played a lovely through ball to Caleb Jones, who crossed for Elliot Taylor to slot his 11th of the season and level the game. The Reds had the perfect opportunity to now stamp their authority on the remainder of the 1st half, however, FC St Helens had other ideas and only a minute or so later, Barker finished well from a cross into the box, to restore their lead.
That was the way it stayed until halftime and The Reds knew that more was required after the break. They started brightly and won a free-kick and then a corner on the left hand side. Caleb Jones delivered it perfectly for Adam Sudworth to head home on 49 minutes. The game then went in to a period of end to end possession as both sides looked for the goal that could prove to be the winner. Both keepers had to make saves and FC St Helens thought they had scored when a shot came back out after crashing against the post. On 73 minutes, Saints were awarded a free kick on the right wing, when Bobby Murphy was harshly adjudged to have fouled the runner. The ball was delivered low into the area and Barker was the first to react, to give the home side the lead for a third time.
The Non-League Reds threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to draw level again, almost leaving themselves exposed at the back, as Saints threatened to punish them on the break. With injury time running out, The Reds had one last chance as Matty Brown launched a long throw into the box. The ball fell loose and a monumental scramble ensued. The ball was knocked across the area, the first effort hit the bar (I think), the 2nd effort hit the bar again and the 3rd effort was blocked on the line. I've watched it back a dozen times and still can't see how the ball doesn't go in!! As the ball was cleared, the final whistle went and despite a good 2nd half, AFC left with nothing to show for their efforts.
The Non-League Reds are back in League action on Tuesday evening as we take on Burscough at the MTA. Get down and support the Team if you can, kick off is 7:45pm.
UTNLR.
Final Score - FC St Helens 3 v 2 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. Parkinson 2. Fisher-Jones 3. Cunningham 4. Moorcroft (c) 5. Sudworth
6. Murphy 7. C. Jones 8. Brown 9. Taylor 10. Lancaster11. Byron
Subs Used - Giblin, Mahaffy, Beckett, Rodriguez, Cummins
(Pics courtesy of Billy Stirrup)
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