Flixton v AFC Liverpool, League Cup, 29th October 2011

With the Reds still to register a win in the league, a cup tie in Flixton was potentially a welcome distraction.  Ironically, it was at Flixton's Valley Road ground in which the Reds had come closest to registering a league win back in September.  A 1-0 lead was surrendered going into the final four minutes, as Flixton turned the tables to win 2-1.

In an afternoon with the Rattlers' air horns and rattles very noisy throughout, Flixton rarely troubled us.  The shots they did have on our goal, were shots you would expect Denis Barlow to save, on his AFC debut.

The Reds set much of the tempo, with Captain Steven Williams particularly impressive.  Williams was very offensive with his play, and had some success in taking the ball past opposing players.

With the deadlock not broken at 90 minutes, it was in extra time when the real excitement set in.  Another debutant, James Buckley gave AFC the lead by firing home from the edge of the area following a corner.  With our noses in front, Liam Nethercote twice spurned golden opportunities to score a second.  His second opportunity saw him take the ball round the keeper, only for his shot to be cleared off the line.

As extra time moved into the final stages, the home side had a header from a corner saved by Barlow, with their own keeper up in our area.  Thankfully we survived, and despite the need for extra time, it was a win at last.  As I stood waiting for the train home at Flixton Station, I wondered if our season could be about to turn?

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