AFC Liverpool v Ashton Town, 20th November 2010

To say that ex-Reds striker David Ojapah was not the favourite player of Dave The Rattler would be a big understatement.  He left AFC Liverpool in the summer of 2010, and AFC's fixture against Ashton Town marked Ojapah's return to Valerie Park.

It was a game in which I feel Ojapah did not do too badly against his ex-teammates.  He held the ball up well at times, but was often isolated up front.  I also felt that Ashton had only turned up to try and get a point that day.

Ultimately, we did win 1-0 courtesy of a second half Kieran Quinn shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection.  We always showed more than Ashton Town.  The reaction of two of their players who went to the floor when the ball was in the net, confirmed my feelings that the visitors were here to try and get a point.

Predictably, the visitors did show more urgency going forward after our goal.  Thankfully, they never seriously looked threatening.  Due to bad weather, that was to be the final action for AFC Liverpool in 2010.

With our match postponed the following week, I happened to watch Ashton Town again.  I will give them their dues by saying that they looked a totally different proposition tactically (with Ojapah not on the teamsheet) as they created a fair number of chances.  Although they went down 0-3 to Leek CSOB in the First Division Trophy, I can certainly recall that the scoreline that day did not accurately reflect the balance of play.

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