AFC Liverpool v Squires Gate, 4th March 2017

It was 1-1 inside the first few mins.  I missed both, due to being on the turnstyle.  Greg Armstrong did give me an account of Mini's brilliance for the first goal. For the rest of the first half, Gate had the best chance of note as a left footed effort flashed just wide. 

The feeling was always there though that as the game was going to progress, that we would probably have enough.  After all, Gate had only brought 2 subs! But it was Gate who took the lead early in the second half. Our prospects then did not look particularly encouraging.  

However, when Mini got caught in the penalty area, a penalty was awarded, and duly despatched by Mikie White.  The momentum would be with us from this point onwards. About 3 Gate players were arguing with the referee over the decision before the penalty was despatched.

A few minutes later Mini beat the keeper to a loose ball to volley us back into the lead. Dave The Rattler and I felt the Keeper could have been sharper, and beat Mini to the ball.  Our win was effectively secured when a Jack Leamey daisy cutter beat the keeper at his near post.  I felt he could have done better then also.

The game then pretty much moved then towards an inevitable conclusion, with us firmly in control.  The only other main incident I recall in the closing stages was Freddie Champion being fouled by a Gate defender, and the Gate defender accusing him of cheating, which in turn provoked an angry response from Freddie and a booking.

I know Squires Gate's Manager later blamed the referee losing his head for the defeat.  I wonder if he was making particular reference to the penalty incident?  

I do appreciate that was a big moment, and to have worked hard at that point to be in the lead, with only 13 players available who had travelled, must have been frustrating.  I did genuinely think it was a penalty.  Ultimately, it was three welcome points in our fight for a first top six finish.

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