Lower Breck v AFC Liverpool, 26th December 2019

Thankfully any traffic from Everton's match against Burnley was a non-issue as I drove to the Anfield Sports Centre. As I acquainted myself with the cafe, I had chats with local Luton Town Supporter Keith Brooksbank, Steve Fraser and Jay Fozzie. The stakes were high at the top end of the North West Counties League First Division North, as we were 2nd and Lower Breck were top.

The match got under way, and almost instantly Rhys Hardacre was played in down the right. He came inside and glided past at least one defender, before dispatching it past ex-Reds Keeper Josh Molloy.With us a goal to the good, we were looking good going forward, but not getting any more joy in the final third. I think it was a little over 10 minutes on the clock, and Lower Breck got awarded a penalty following Lee Carr bringing a man down. Frustratingly Lee Carr actually saved the penalty before the rebound was tucked in. Lower Breck were exploiting space down their left, with Fidan Hajdari exposed. They were soon 2-1 up.Steve Fraser was of the view that the 3g pitch was suiting Rhys Hardacre. At the point when the tables had got turned, he had gone a bit quiet. We did though get it back to 2-2 courtesy of Rhys. This time we got a bit of luck. His shot seemed to come back off the post and out. Myself, Steve, and Neil Macmillan were not convinced it went over the line. Fortunately, we got the decision and were deservedly level.We weren't level for long though. We gave away what was a silly free kick to begin with. Then, we did not put a wall together properly. Their shot then came back off the post, and the rebound was touched in.The first half was fairly even, but you would probably say Lower Breck had shaded it. They did have another clear cut chance, which was headed straight at Lee Carr.The free scoring first half was not to be repeated after the break. But, we were generally slightly better than they were in the second half, just as they were probably slightly better in the first half. One chance saw us hit the post, but the rebound could not be converted. Another effort saw Daniel Cockerline played in on the left hand side, but he shot wide.Amongst some of our supporters, there was a frustration that we seemed to be getting the worst deal from the referee. Jay Howells got booked at one stage for a challenge that was probably not as bad as a Lower Breck challenge a few minutes earlier, which Steve described as the worst tackle of the afternoon.On the break, Lower Breck nearly won it. One of their fellas took it round Lee Carr late on. This was on the break, with many grey shirts pushed forward. Thankfully, Luke Stephens was able to clear off the line.It was on the 90th Minute when Lower Breck lost possession on the edge of their area. Kyle Schorah took advantage and unleashed a shot into the back of the net. Neil Macmillan was gutted he did catch it on his phone video!As myself, Neil and Dave Innelli (I think) were untangling from our celebration, it was all kicking off between Josh Molloy and a few players on both sides. I think Molloy may have been booked, but don't quote me. 

Both sides then had opportunities to win it! For us, it was a Cockerline header which went wide. For them, a few openings for them to shoot came about. Thankfully, our defence held firm. 

The draw meant that with a little over half the season to go that Lower Breck were 7 points clear at the top. We still had a game in hand though, and the prospect of the reverse fixture to come at the MTA. However, with the Covid Pandemic taking hold a couple of months later, the home fixture was sadly not to be played.

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