Liverpool Senior Cup Final - Skelmersdale U 5 AFC Liverpool 4
Mon 20th April 2015 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
AFC Liverpool failed in their attempt to lift the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup, but were involved in a nine goal thriller of a game against Skelmersdale United.
In the end, Skem won 5-4 in a game that produced three goals in the first five minutes, two more by the 17th minute and two more goals before half time to give Skem a 4-3 half time lead.
A cagier second half still produced two more goals, but despite a spirited rally at the end by the Reds, Skem held on to collect the trophy.
The opener for Skem came after just 30 seconds, Scott Bakker heading home at the back post, but a minute later Muktar Mahama found Francis Barry in space in the six yard box, and from his cross Ryan Cox finished from close range to put AFC Liverpool level.
Within three minutes Skem were ahead again, through Aidan Kirkbride but AFC Liverpool equalised again in the 14th minute, with a free kick from Steven Jones that Andy Paxton in the Skem goal got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.
Three minutes later Danny Mitchley put Skem 3-2 ahead from the penalty spot, and Bakker added a fourth, and his second goalscoring header of the afternoon, on 27 minutes to put Skem 4-2 up.
As the half progressed, the Reds got a foothold in the game once more, and reduced the arrears before half time when Daniel Loughlin set up Francis Barry for AFC Liverpool's third goal.
After seven goals in a terrific opening 45 minutes, the second half was less frantic in comparison, and just after the hour Skem restored their two goal lead when Danny Mitchley made it 5-3 to the hosts.
With two minutes to go, an exciting finish was set up when AFC Liverpool substitute Josh Purcell's close range finish made it 5-4, but despite a rally in stoppage time by the Reds, Skem held on to collect the trophy.
Liverpool Senior Cup Final - Skelmersdale U 5 AFC Liverpool 4
Mon 20th April 2015 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
AFC Liverpool failed in their attempt to lift the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup, but were involved in a nine goal thriller of a game against Skelmersdale United.
In the end, Skem won 5-4 in a game that produced three goals in the first five minutes, two more by the 17th minute and two more goals before half time to give Skem a 4-3 half time lead.
A cagier second half still produced two more goals, but despite a spirited rally at the end by the Reds, Skem held on to collect the trophy.
The opener for Skem came after just 30 seconds, Scott Bakker heading home at the back post, but a minute later Muktar Mahama found Francis Barry in space in the six yard box, and from his cross Ryan Cox finished from close range to put AFC Liverpool level.
Within three minutes Skem were ahead again, through Aidan Kirkbride but AFC Liverpool equalised again in the 14th minute, with a free kick from Steven Jones that Andy Paxton in the Skem goal got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.
Three minutes later Danny Mitchley put Skem 3-2 ahead from the penalty spot, and Bakker added a fourth, and his second goalscoring header of the afternoon, on 27 minutes to put Skem 4-2 up.
As the half progressed, the Reds got a foothold in the game once more, and reduced the arrears before half time when Daniel Loughlin set up Francis Barry for AFC Liverpool's third goal.
After seven goals in a terrific opening 45 minutes, the second half was less frantic in comparison, and just after the hour Skem restored their two goal lead when Danny Mitchley made it 5-3 to the hosts.
With two minutes to go, an exciting finish was set up when AFC Liverpool substitute Josh Purcell's close range finish made it 5-4, but despite a rally in stoppage time by the Reds, Skem held on to collect the trophy.
