AFC Liverpool v Everton, 19th November 2014, Liverpool Senior Cup.

I will straightaway acknowledge it was definitely not Everton's first team.  That did not matter one jot.  This was a fixture that would actually be played this time, following on from the no-show of two seasons previously, when we couldn't get the game on at Prescot.  On this occasion, the teams came out at College Road after being announced by George Sephton, who was sat by Alan Harrison (AFC's regular matchday announcer).

The Blues sure did start nervously, with a few passes going astray.  Their keeper Jindrach Stanek was misfiring on his routine kicks especially.  Inside the first few minutes we worked a good move down our right.  A cross came over and we had a man who headed the ball across the box, but Everton were able to clear their lines.

Everton took a couple of chances that came their way to take a 2-0 lead at the interval.  Otherwise, there wasn't really much between the teams.  The first goal was certainly against the run of play.  I did not hold much hope for the second half.  When two teams of different standards play in a cup competition, it is often the higher team's ability in the final third which can prove the difference, which seemed to be the case here.  Plus, their superior fitness levels would surely become decisive later on.

If we were going to get back into the game, perhaps a Steve Jones freekick would be the route.  Steve Fraser and I did speculate on that very possibility.  And low and behold, we got a freekick from about 25 yards on 54 minutes, which Jonesey obliged to make it game on.  That freekick was awarded following a foul by Jack Bainbridge.  Almost immediately, the same player cynically stopped a run.  He was off, they were down to ten men.  We could smell blood.

I did speculate to Steve that the Toffees may get their heads together and regain their professionalism.  When David Henen restored their two goal lead on the hour mark, I obviously wished I had not said what I just said!  Thankfully though, Henen did miss a good opportunity to score again and settle the match.

With two goals in three minutes, we were able to turn the tables.  It was on the 73rd minute mark when Ryan Cox scored from six yards, following a scramble in the box after a corner.  Then on 75 minutes, a powerful Steve Jones freekick was fumbled by Stanek, only for Man-In-Red to be on hand to equalise!  I say Man-In-Red, as that was who Alan Harrison initially said had scored (over the public address system).  Alan did soon confirm that the identity of the scorer was the ever dependable Jack Sinnott.  That alone got a rattle and a hoot from the horn!

With the score now back to 3-3 having twice been two goals down, you could be forgiven for thinking that with a one man advantage we had the momentum.  We still had to survive a shot from outside the area coming back off the outside of our post.  I turned to Steve at that point, and suggested this could be our night!  Steve was not getting carried away.  He told me that he would take penalties if it was offered at that point.

On 83 minutes, AFC got a penalty after Carl Peers was fouled by Michael Donohue in the area.  It was Donohue's second yellow, and they were down to nine men.  Ryan Cox scored, and we were now on track for completing a very special night with a most unexpected victory.  We still had to endure a last ditch block by defender Tom Stewart.  But what a collapse by Everton over 10 minutes!  That was beautiful!

That was probably up there with the best games I have ever seen watching Liverpool FC and AFC Liverpool.