AFC Liverpool v Garstang, 14th August 2019

 As I left the turnstile, and made my way up into the stand, we took the lead. Johnny Croasdale got the final touch from a corner. The second goal was described by Dave The Rattler as a DIY goal by Anthony Lyons. He got the ball, held the defender off, ran in one on one against the keeper, and sold a dummy to put us 2-0 up.

We had been playing some good stuff. Garstang though were managed by ex-football league player Andy Payton. They came back and had a bit of a spell, but any efforts did not trouble Reds keeper David Potter. That was in part down to good defending.
I joined Steve Fraser behind the goal around midway through the first half. Mr EFC Liverpool (Grandad of ex-defender Ben Lightfoot) was here making some noise. My judgement on leaving the stand was quickly brought into question, when the heavens opened. Thankfully, Steve had his umbrella!
As the half moved towards its finish, we spawned a few chances to extend our lead. There was one effort that came off the woodwork, and the follow on saw an almighty scramble where we just couldn't get it over the line. From another corner, their Keeper made a crucial save.
Those misses before half time looked like they may come back to haunt us, when Garstang pulled a goal back eight minutes into the second half. From the opposite end to the Crossender Road end where it was scored, it seemed a shot the keeper could have done better.
All of a sudden, we had a match on our hands. Except for a deflected Kyle Schorah effort from outside the area which just went wide, I would say Garstang troubled us a bit more in the second half than we troubled them. Garstang also had an effort from outside the area which deflected just wide, and other than that there was one effort in the inside right channel that forced a save from David Potter at his near post. The save he made was I feel an expected one.
Jay McGrane came on as a second half substitute for Rhys Hardacre, following injury. That was good to see. As the match moved towards its conclusion, we showed good game management, and did manage to earn our first victory of the season.

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