AFC Liverpool v AFC Darwen, 7th October 2015

After I got settled into my seat, they got a penalty.  I didn't properly see the incident which led to the penalty, but fortunately their lad ballooned it.  Over the mic, Alan Harrison commented that we would be most grateful if someone on Crosby beach could retrieve the ball!

 Despite that let off, Darwen were soon in front.  It was a well taken strike which beat Ryan Jones into his bottom right corner.

For our part, we had started very sluggish.  Early indications suggested that Reds' fans would not be in for a very enjoyable evening.  When Ryan Cox got played in via Route One, he failed to beat the keeper, and that miss only reinforced that feeling I had.

Ryan Cox was through on goal again on 25 minutes.  I just had that feeling he would miss again.  This time he shot low, and the ball trickled into the net, and we were level.

 Myself, Steve Fraser, and Dave The Rattler were heading down to the bottom of the stand with half time fast approaching, and Steve got chatting with the Darwen Secretary.  He was commenting on how Darwen had improved since the 3-3 draw at the Anchor Ground in August.  At that point, a low cross found Ryan Cox for a routine second, and we were 2-1 up at the break.

After spending half time with Steve and Dave in the boardroom for hospitality, Dave and I briefly returned to the traditional Rattlestation in the stand to pick up our bags.  We then decided to join Steve at the open terrace end, which we were attacking in the second half. 

As I made my way down from the stand, a third AFC goal was side footed in.  I thought it was Steve Jones.  Alan Harrison asked me and a few others who had scored.  I told him I thought it was Jonesy, but Alan opted to announce a Ryan Cox hat-trick!  To be fair, I had only viewed the goal from the corner of my eye, so was probably only 60% sure.

As I was halfway across the ground to the other end, Ryan got played in again.  Despite the keeper's best efforts, Ryan could not be denied.  On the basis of Alan's announcement, Ryan now had scored four!

At the midway point of the second half, Darwen seemed more vulnerable from through balls.  This vulnerability was again exploited on 71 minutes, as Ryan scored again.

It was quite a contrast to when the score was 1-1.  At that point, Steve and I were talking about the prospects of a close win.  The scoring was completed on 80 minutes, as Matty Williams marked his second AFC debut with a goal.

It was an interesting second half, which saw my title of "Junior Rattler" challenged!  This Junior Rattler had a Saints scarf, much to Steve's obvious pleasure.  The new Junior Rattler's guardians were certainly entertained!

At the final whistle, the truth about the third goal came out as Alan Harrison confirmed his error.  In a tongue and cheek way, he didn't like me reminding him.  Dave referred to him, as he often does, as Captain Mainwaring!

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