Southport Trinity vs AFC Liverpool - match report

Match report - Under 15 Premier

Southport Trinity vs AFC Liverpool

Sat 22/09/12 (09:45)

The Rookery #2 

Match Officials: Gerry Glover

AFC Liverpool under 15’s traveled away to The Rookery, Roe Lane in Southport on Saturday morning to visit Southport Trinity’s under15 team in a much anticipated clash. The travelling AFC lads arrived at The Rookery on a crisp autumn morning to be greeted by lovely conditions and a playing surface ideal for fast flowing football.

The game started brightly with AFC passing their way through the Trinity midfield and defence at times and creating chances predominantly down the right-hand side for Jay Speed and Ryan Patterson who were both unlucky not to open the scoring. Southport’s physical and robust approach produced very few clear opportunities for the home team in the opening half hour or so and AFC shaped some very disciplined and decisive play throughout the team that saw the ball spread across the pitch and down either flank to the appreciation of the crowd. A defensive slip during a period of Home team pressure led to the opening goal via a mis-hit shot from Trinity leaving the unlucky AFC keeper Jake Young helpless as the ball looped past him into the AFC net. Liam Worth headed home the first AFC goal of the game when he climbed to meet a well delivered free kick from Ryan Patterson on the right wing after a steady piece of sustained pressure from the AFC lads.

Half time 1-1

The second half started to become a slightly more broken affair with the AFC players trying not to be drawn into physical confrontations because of the full-bodied style from Southport but the AFC lads were still assertive enough to control the game and general flow of play. After a good through ball into the right-hand channel followed by some strong running and pressure on the Trinity defence by Jay Speed, he scored the second AFC goal with a calmly taken finish with just the keeper to beat. Trinity had to finally concentrate on using a long ball tactic because of a lack of clear cut opportunities because of the strong defensive attributes shown by the AFC team through the majority of the game, but slight laps whilst defending a corner unfortunately allowed Southport to equalise with five minutes to go. The closing moments produced a very end to end period of play with neither team able to crab a winner before the final whistle.

Full time 2-2

Congratulations to the lads for their display on Saturday in the face of some strong, physical and challenging opposition. Some great interchanges and passengers of play throughout the team and right across the pitch from all the players and they were very unfortunate not to collect the three points. More importantly they stood their ground and continued to try and play football when under pressure in a demanding and difficult game.

Daniel Blair – Manager