AFC Liverpool v St Helens Town, 19th December 2020

Times were strange. It was December and both sides had only played five league matches between them. Due to the second Covid Lockdown, this match was the first time we had played since bowing out of the FA Vase at the end of October. Due to postponements, Saints hadn't played since Mid-October!

My main pre-match duties were to just take the money and sell some Programmes. As the rain got heavy, Selina (who at that point was a board member) passed the track and trace sheet. That meant I needed to take people's details, unless they were logging in via the NHS App. I forgot to ask two regular fans if they had used the App.

Whilst I was still in the turnstile, Saints took the lead. Not long after joining the action we drew level through Jon Croasdale though. 
How on earth would the season get finished? On and off, I chatted with one fellow supporter and we discussed this very point. I speculated the season may end in March, and then we may just play a combination of cup matches and friendlies until April/May. As the rain got heavy, the supporter remarked that he was looking forward to Spurs coming to Rossett Park in a few weeks time to face Marine in the FA Cup
In a closely fought first half, we got our noses in front courtesy of Anthony Lyons' 10th goal of the season in just six matches! That was on 26 minutes. 
At half time, I caught up with Ade Benn. It was his first match of the season. Ade had been largely based in Thailand teaching English for a couple of years before the Pandemic. He mentioned he had been at a match the previous year. I must have missed him.
The Reds took control in the second half, and established a three goal lead courtesy of two Anthony Lyons penalties. A new Lyons chant was developing amongst the AFC congregation, along the lines of "In the Counties, the North West Counties, the Lyons scores tonight." We also hit the woodwork at least once in a dominant second half performance.
With a few minutes remaining, Saints got a consolation. Alan Harrison announced it was in the 87th minute. In a little exchange between our ultras and Saints' Keeper, I think it was Ade Benn who told the keeper that it was in fact the 97th minute! The Keeper seemed a bit narked by this. Almost immediately, debut boy John Connelly was in. His shot was parried by the goalkeeper but just trickled over the line for 5-2. And then, the referee blew up. So much for the 87th minute Mr Harrison!

When the whistle was blown, it was in fact the last action we saw that season.

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