AFC Liverpool v Charnock Richard, 30th March 2024

It was a first half where we weren't particularly bad. We did look threatening at times, especially with Alex Cherera very threatening down our left. Joe Cunningham at left-back also looked ok in advanced positions coming inside on his stronger right foot. But overall we were lacking in that final part of the field.

By contrast, Charnock twice hit our woodwork. The first effort happened as I was walking past the tunnel, chatting to Billy Stirrup about his recent injury which saw him miss a rare game the other week, a game which was attended by 30 plus Sparta Prague fans just 24 hours after facing Liverpool in the Europa League.

Charnock did also miss at least two other first half opportunities. One happened after Goalkeeper David Parkinson misjudged a cross, and got rescued by his defence. So when they did take the lead 6 minutes before the break, it was fully merited.

After the break, it seemed Staffo got the boys fired up. We were suddenly on the front foot, with Alex Cherera still very dangerous. And I think he glided past a couple of players, before Jack Flight played in Adam Moorcroft to slot home the equaliser ten minutes or so after the restart. Almost immediately we could have gone in front. The good Doctor worked his way into a good position down the right, and played the ball across the box, but Alex coming in at the far post somehow missed.

We remained on top for much of the second half, but were frustrated. I recall their keeper was called upon a couple of times to keep the scores level. However, Charnock were always still in the game and suggested the momentum could switch once again.

Into the final minute of normal time and Alex brilliantly cut in from the right and ran in on the keeper to slot home, and it seemed we had the winner. Kenny certainly felt we had with his George Ezra Green Green Grass chant, or should that be "Green, Green, Sh***"!

As the game moved into stoppage time Charnock's no 9 got sent off for striking one of our defenders off the ball. Surely the sending off would be the game's final talking point? Actually no, Charnock only equalised with virtually the last kick of the game!

Of course it was frustrating to lose the lead against ten men. But it shows the game is never over, until it is over. It is that simple, and a bit of a lesson to me in joining in with Kenny's chanting!

To be fair a draw overall probably was right. Charnock had been the better side in the first half, and we were in the second half. My day was not quite finished, as I joined the Chesterfield lads Pete and John in the bar along with a couple of other supporters. And then I presented Adam Moorcroft with Man of the Match!

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