AFC Liverpool from Yesteryear

Walking through the turnstile, I reflected on a tweet from Mr Chairman who had just parked up before me. He had no prior recollection of coming here on a Saturday afternoon, just midweek games. I think my recollection was the same. On the pitch we had lost our previous three games, including a 2-1 midweek defeat by the Macclesfield money bags where we gave a good account of ourselves. We were still waiting a first clean sheet of the season. Despite starting the game in 9th place, Irlam had lost 4 on the trot. We started ok. It looked like an afternoon where we could create chances. Of late we had certainly missed an out and out striker. Anthony Lyons had been struggling with fitness. He had only made 5 substitute appearances before this game, although he had looked a bit sharper in his cameo against Macclesfield the previous midweek. It was good to have Lyonsy in the starting line up for the first time that season. Irlam had one dangerous attack down their left which produced a cross. ...

Due to meeting my Waterloo-based brother for a few beers, I left the car at home for this one. On the leg of my train journey between Liverpool Central and Blundellsands I endured a bloke snoring his head off for much of the time. In the same seats as me were this elderly couple equally as entertained as I was. Was the chap destined to travel all the way to Southport? Perhaps even back to Hunts Cross? Anyway, the scoring chap woke up. As for the elderly couple, I of course explained I was on my way to watch AFC Liverpool v Cheadle in the Vase. The fella told me his grandson played in Guiseley in the Northern Premier League. This day was also the first day of the knockout stage of the Qatar World Cup. I was doing the turnstile and George was doing the Programme Selling. I was repeating my well known admiration for African football and Morocco's chances of ousting Spain in the last 16. Meanwhile, George told at least 4 people of his belief that should the States hold firm against the...