Cleator Moor Celtic v AFC Liverpool, 23rd November 2019

I was picked up by Dave Williams in Warrington around 10.30am, and we headed up the M6. We arrived at Cleator Moor Celtic's JBV Park I believe just before 1.30pm. I was in the clubhouse before the match, and joined in with a rendition of the Dan Cockerline song "Sweet Cockerline!"

After taking a position behind the goal we were attacking in the first half, I was bending down into my bag for the Rattles, and Kenny commented that Lee Carr made a save to thwart Cleator Moor. Rattles were duly distributed to Kenny and another of our chaps. With the fells in the background, this really was a beautiful place to watch football.
We got our noses in front on 11 minutes. Kyle Schorah was put through by Daniel Cockerline. The Keeper slipped, got back to his feet, but Kyle got to the ball to poke it home. 
We then took control. A couple of efforts produced wonder saves by Cleator Moor Keeper Craig Devine to push the shots over the bar. The Reds also went close, when a ball across the six yard earlier was almost met by a diving header from Cockerline. However, we all know what can happen when you don't put your chances away, and the home side started to gradually get back into the match. On 40 minutes, a shot took a deflection which wrong footed Lee Carr, and the home side were level.
Going into the clubhouse at half time, I had a bit of banter with one of the home side's people. Despite wearing a Man Utd top, he was a very nice bloke, and a good laugh. We talked a bit about Real Ale, and he mentioned the nearby Ennerdale Brewery.
Within a minute or so of the restart, the Reds were back in front. Jay McGrane was played through, and made no mistake. Within the space of a minute, both keepers had to make a save around the 55th minute. Devine's save was particularly impressive to deny us going two goals clear.
Just after the hour mark, there was a moment of worry as Dan Cockerline pulled up, and was replaced. With him due to head back Down Under in the New Year, would this be the last we would see of him in a Red Shirt?
We did go 3-1 up on 68 minutes. Following a corner, we had two efforts off the line. It then fell to Luke Stephens who fired through at least a couple of players and into the net.
Five minutes later we had another moment of worry as Kyle Schorah went down after a two footed challenge. I was actually looking slightly away from the play as it happened. But, a few of our fans were calling for a Red Card straightaway, and Craig Devine (whom we had good banter with throughout) admitted to Steve Fraser that he could not defend the challenge. After a stoppage of a couple of minutes, the referee did give Cleator Moor's Stuart Shaw his marching orders.
Kyle Schorah did manage to continue for a few minutes, but did then get replaced. Jay McGrane also took a late knock, and was replaced, meaning we had 3 very important offensive players replaced. 
Since going down to 10 men, Cleator Moor played with spirit and were probably at least as likely to reduce the arrears, as we were to extend the lead. Both keepers again made good saves in the final few minutes.
It was a great trip to Cumbria, and it did indeed end 3-1. With Liverpool also winning 2-1 at Crystal Palace, it was very much a great day all around. 

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