AFC Liverpool v Bacup Borough, 1st September 2012, FA Vase

We were the better side throughout.  But had Bacup skipper Daniel Cocks' reputation not gone before him, the visitors probably would have been awarded a first half penalty.  I still scored him a 5.8 for that dive, as I did throughout the match.  Steve Fraser had arranged for some scorecards to be printed.  A number of us in the stand kept jumping up with our scorecard every time Mr Cocks dived or went over a tackle.  Oh it was very good fun indeed! 

We certainly created the chances to win this one at the first time of asking.  However we were generally unable to direct shots anywhere but straight at the keeper, when we did manage a shot on target.  Our number 11 Ryan Wilkinson got into a bit of trouble during the second half.  He got booked, and had to be warned by the referee at one point.  We looked particularly dangerous in the closing stages of the ninety, forcing corner after corner.  Bacup managed to hold on.

Our dominance continued into extra time, without creating any further clear chances.  The visitors were reduced to ten men after one of their guys made an off the ball push on Wilkinson.  That dismissal only confirmed what some of us already suspected, in that the visitors were always happy to take a replay.  Before the final whistle blew, I reckon they must have spent about three minutes keeping the ball by a corner flag.

Although Bacup did succeed in taking us back to their place, the Reds won the replay 1-0 courtesy of a Lee Maden strike.

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