Players respond but it’s not enough

RUNCORN Town were beaten by AFC Liverpool at the Marine Travel Arena last Wednesday night.

Owen Dursley, Jon Shaw, Joe Holt, Kevin

Exell and Sam Hunt came in for Joe Blackham, Marcus James, Niall Holmes, Ben Greenop and Dale Jennings.

AFC Liverpool started well and Paul Speed’s shot from 25 yards was narrowly wide. The hosts were awarded a penalty on 7 minutes when Lee McConchie was brought down in the box. Jesse Dowling scored from the spot, finding the top corner.

Town responded when Kieran Holsgrove’s free kick almost found Kevin Exell at the far post.

Town came back into the game and enjoyed more possession but were unable to create clear chances. At the other end Darren Thomas’ low cross was well held by Reid.

The equaliser for Town came on 26 minutes. Holsgrove’s cross from the right into the box was headed in by Liam Turner.

Speed had another long range effort for AFC that was not far wide. The hosts were then awarded another penalty when Owen Dursley was adjudged to have held back an opponent in a crowded penalty area.

Dowling took the penalty again, but went for the other side this time and Adam Reid dived full stretch to his left to make a fine save. Callum Schorah had an early chance in the second half - Town gave the ball away in midfield and the AFC striker was able to run through on goal and shot just wide under pressure from Joe Holt. Ryan Cox stung the hands of the keeper with a shot from outside the box before a counter attack ended with Kyle Schorah shooting just wide.

The game had become very open with opportunities at both ends. AFC Liverpool took the lead again midway through the half.

Town struggled to get the ball clear and it fell to Oliver Sanderson who fired in from the edge of the box.

Town were on the back foot and Adam Reid was called on to make saves from Dowling, James Howell and Speed.

On 72 minutes it was 3-1 when Kyle Schorah’s ball into the box was knocked in by Callum Schorah. Town responded immediately with a well worked goal. The ball was played out wide to Ellis Jones and his low cross was left by Cox for sub

Ben Greenop to tap in at the far post.

AFC Liverpool wrapped up the game on 85 minutes. Callum Schorah was allowed to run unchallenged towards the penalty area and curled a lovely finish into the top corner to make it 4-2.