AFC Liverpool v Bacup Borough, 26th October 2014


It was the weekend in which the record of being the shortest serving Manager in Leeds United's history (44 days held jointly by Brian Clough and Jock Stein) was broken.  On the Sunday we took on Bacup and Rossendale Borough in the MEN United League Cup.  An announcement had recently been made that the Rossendale part of the club's name would be dropped for the following season.
With Bacup bottom in the league, we were expected to win, and it was no surprise when Ronnie Morgan struck on 10 minutes.  But there is also the saying that the Cup is a great leveller.  In fact, Bacup struck back almost immediately, following a through ball which was not dealt with by our defence.
Ronnie spurned a penalty which could have seen us go back into the lead.  He went straight for power, and his effort came back off the bar.  So, 1-1 was how it remained at half time.
Ronnie did volley us back into the lead on 50 minutes.  We then had a comfortable second half in which our keeper Declan Morgan only had one save of note to make.  But when a game is not put to bed, we all know what can happen.
Jack Sinnott brought the ball forward in the 85th minute, and found himself in a right wing position.  An attempted pass forward got intercepted.  Bacup then broke, and eventually scored from a volley with Jack out of position.
With extra time looming, the team and supporters rallied.  Into injury time, and the ball fell to Ronnie Morgan on the edge of the box.  Ronnie hit the ball well enough, but the deflection was crucial to make it 3-2.  It was devastating for Bacup, but what a way to win!
I Spoke with Chris Brooks in the Edinburgh pub later, and he felt that last gasp Ronnie Morgan shot was going in from the moment the ball left his foot.  It was in fact Ronnie's second hat-trick for the club, ironically a year to the day since his other hat-trick at West Didsbury and Chorlton in the same competition.

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