Match report; Birkdale Utd vs. AFC Liverpool

Sunday (19,02,2012) OK 14:00hrs.

Carr Lane, Birkdale.

Birkdale Utd vs. AFC Liverpool

Craven Minor Under 14

The AFC Liverpool under fourteens travelled away to Carr Lane the home of table topping Birkdale Utd on a clear and crisp Sunday afternoon that saw the two teams produce a fast paced and entertaining encounter.

The first half was a scrappy but full blooded affair with AFC only producing their normal flowing football during brief periods. However the lads started off strongly with the hard-working forwards Dave White and Declan Williams putting the Birkdale defence under pressure on numerous occasions which created a couple of clear cut chances during the opening 15 minutes that were unfortunately not taken. Birkdale tried to capitalise on a couple of moments of indecisive AFC play but good saves from Jake Young and superb covering play from the defenders stopped the home team going into the lead. As the half wore on AFC started to gain control of the match and began to stretch and open up the game to their advantage but had to be continually on guard as the home team looked press whenever they had any opportunity.

Half Time; Birkdale Utd 0 - AFC Liverpool  0

The second half continued in the same pattern of the first but with AFC slowly gaining more of a strangle hold on the game. Tom Kelleher and Ross Bailey battled well in midfield and Liam Worth showing great attitude and determination at the heart of the defence and he was well supported by Patrick Blair and the full backs James Tyrer and Ryan Patterson.  The deadlock was broken by Joshua Wright after the Birkdale keeper parried a shot Declan Williams and it was no less than the AFC lads deserved. The right wing started to generate some good passages of play with Ryan Patterson, Danny Dooley and Joe Mitchell looking to play football whenever possible. Danny Dooley also picked up the second goal with a fine curling effort that bent around the keeper after a good breakaway run through midfield.

Birkdale pressed in the last ten minutes but they couldn’t break through the strong and resolute defensive lines that the under 14’s had placed around their goal and the game ended with AFC on the break looking for the third goal.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from the lads but it was a performance they can look back on with some pride after going to the league leader’s home ground and taking all three points away from a very good Birkdale side.


Full Time; Birkdale Utd 0 - AFC Liverpool  2

Daniel Blair

Manager