West Didsbury & Chorlton v AFC Liverpool, 3rd August 2013

It was the opening day of the season, and I had feared it was a match I would miss due to a qualification at work I was doing.  As it was I was 5 minutes late, due to trying to find my way around Chorlton.  After all, Brookburn Road is a very nice set-up, but a bit hidden away.  Plus, the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford was not particularly helpful with regards the running of Greater Manchester's Metrolink Tram service!

As I arrived in the ground, I was told by Dave The Rattler that we had just had a decent penalty appeal turned down. For the first half hour or so we were the side most comfortable on the ball.  However, it was West who had the first shot in anger, which did not trouble Steven Longrigg in our goal.
One player making his debut this day was Paul Brown, the cousin of Anthony Brown.  It was Paul who gave us the lead, after beating their keeper to a loose ball, before slotting home.  That was just before the half hour mark.  He had a second goal disallowed before half time, due to being judged to have fouled a West defender.  Indeed, Ronnie Morgan could have also made it 2-0, had it not been for the post.

After those two late first half let offs, West did indeed get back into the match about 10 minutes after the break, following a sloppy back pass by one of our lads.  With that goal, we went from being too comfortable in our control of the game to very much being on the back foot. 
Goals do change momentum, and we were suddenly less assured in our possession.  I am sure West will look back on this period as one in which they had a couple of situations where they should have taken control of the match.  Then, out of the blue Paul Brown struck again with an outrageous lob over their keeper to make it 2-1.  I was rattling in delight up a mound at the side of their pitch.
As I hoped we would now see the momentum now move back in our direction, Ste Longrigg was called upon to make a flying save which Alan Williams likened to Gordon Banks.  In fact, Longy had a few impressive saves during this match, in which Manager Paul Moore later described as world class.  
We clinched the game with about 7 minutes to go, with what I recall to be a netbuster!  I was not too sure on who scored at the time, but the identity of the decisive goalscorer was confirmed to be Steve Williams.  

Our defence still had to negotiate the odd set piece to ensure there were no further twists.  For West's part, their number 7 finally got his marching orders after a series of fouls.  So, it was job done.  However, I think a few in the AFC congregation felt there was also plenty of work still ahead as well.

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