AFC Liverpool v Athersley Recreation, 10th September 2017

The first 20 minutes were a bit of a contrast to the first 20 mins in midweek against Winsford.  The midweek game saw us race into a 3-0 lead.  We simply were not clicking in the early stages of this FA Vase tie, and it was the Yorkshiremen who took the lead on 23 minutes, following Centre-Back Weso getting caught in the deck.  In the following few minutes, things did not show much sign of getting better.  

Steve Fraser was speculating that the correct substitution could be to replace Joe Whittington with Danny Boden.  Then, he got a couple of headed chances.  Although he missed them both, surely it was a positive sign that we were suddenly creating the chances?

One player whom I suggested had not been in the game much was Number 8 Callum Woods. It was him pickpocketing an Athersley player from behind on 39 minutes, which led to him setting Kev "The Beast" Edgar to draw us level. He also did this at one point in the second half.

Just a few minutes before the break, my point over Mr Fraser was made, as Joe Whittington put us 2-1 up.

We started the second half on the front foot, and created chances.  With the difficult spells earlier on, we had to make this spell count.  The chance to put some distance between us and them was presented on the hour, after Kev Edgar was fouled.  Adam Weston stepped up to give us that breathing space.

It wasn't for long though, as Athersley got back in the game five minutes later.  Shortly afterwards, the dynamics of the game shifted massively.  The incident I refer to was a terrible Lee McConchie tackle.  It was two footed, and lucky it did not cause a serious injury.  Correctly it was a straight Red, and Steve Fraser compared previous episodes of AFC indiscipline down the years.  I felt at the time that Steve was correct to suggest there had never been a tackle as bad as that before by anyone in the Red of AFC.

Assistant Manager Stuart Keir (standing in for the absent Chris Stammers) made a change which was regarded by Steve and myself as dubious, by replacing "The Beast" with Amir Falah.  It did turn out to be a good call, as his running was well received by the crowd.  Dave The Rattler likened his running to that of ex-striker Steve Jones.  Slightly perplexed, Steve Fraser thought that Dave was referring to a member of the sexpistols!

Thankfully, Athersley were not able to hammer home their man advantage, and we progressed to face City of Liverpool in the next round.

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