SAVED AT THE DEATH

10th February 2019 - AFC Liverpool 1 v 1 Bacup Borough (Bacup won 3 - 2 on penalties) - A good old mixed day today with a fine wander at Crosby Marina turning up 39 bird species and then a walk at Rimrose Valley being our 768th wildlife destination and keeping the legs moving.  We turned up at the ground early, had a local wander then returned and had a brew and some nosh before taking up our positions outside after chatting with a few decent folk.  I was kindly supplied with the teamsheets and as we stood and watched the teams warm up we did wonder who would come out on top.  The butt cheeks of Albert Steptoe were said to be rather close (tight-arsed git), the obscene mammary glands of that useless social lump Kim Kardashian are said to be in close proximity too but I reckoned this game would be much closer with the nipples of success only leaking for those that clamp on, suck with ardour and make sure they drain every last drop of promise right up until the final whistle.  My good lady predicted a draw, I fancied a Bacup win, in truth, we both were right come the end of the match, tis a strange old game!

The opening stages of this First Division Cup Quarter Final were keenly contested with little space available for any player from any team, to shine.  The home Reds had the first sizzling surge with a cross put in that was laden with pace and too hot to handle for the incoming No 11 (Harry Avis) who collected the ball with the crack of his arse rather than his feet.  The hosts continued to shade matters and display the greatest prong of promise.   They won 3 corners on the bounce, the Bacup Boys smothered all danger and on the third attempt broke with No 7 (Anthony Hall) leading the way, losing the ball and eventually regaining possession after a sharp pass from his comrade No 4 (Adrian Bellamy).  Hall got the noggin down, dashed at the angle and wham, banged the ball against the keeper who could only remove half the sting and watch it continue into his net.  The home pack looked mighty shocked by this rear end penetration (it can be painful), responded and won a free-kick that No 7 (Rhys Hardacre) thumped over the bar - disappointing.  

AFC Liverpool now worked harder, Bacup absorbed, Hardacre for the hosts had another dig but could only find the keepers awaiting arms.  The guests reacted, No 10 (Michael Gervin) won the ball from absolutely nothing, battled with zeal and let go a quite weak shot without any wallop - needless to say it was easily gathered up.  The AFC Liverpool lads hit back, Avis down the wing would not give up possession, he escaped a tricky situation and crossed to No 9 (Anthony Lyons) who cracked off a firm dig.  The travelling No 1 (Harry Turner) was asked a question and provided the right answer - a tidy save.  The balanced tussle saw time tick and chances remain an uncommon commodity.  Eventually Lyons for The Reds burst forward, entered the box and was duly sandwiched between two defending bods - the referee was in no doubt - penalty.  Lyons decided to take the bonus kick himself, he hit the ball with good pace and good direction, the save that Turner produced was absolutely first class - applause rang out from all around the ground.  The ball came back in, the pressure briefly remained and then Bacup burst a bollock, broke with great impetus that saw a rattling cross fly across the goal mouth with No 11 (Matthew Dell) millimetres away from doubling his sides lead.  At the death we expected the scoreline to be settled for the break but AFC Liverpool summoned one last attack, a ball was flung into the box, No 10 (Callum Schorah) lived up to the sound of his name and touched the ball over the line - just.  The half ended soon after - it was edge of the seat stuff even though we were stood up.

We stayed put for half-time and cuddled and chatted to ignore the frisky wind who had a yearning to chill the privates - tis a rotten git that wind, and a pervert don't ya know. 

Off we went again, the hosts displayed a hunger, one that was nearly sated by a snap shot from Schorah.  The ball was saved, came back soon after, this time with Lyons cracking over.  AFC Liverpool continued to press and play the ball around the box before Hardacre placed a sweet shot that the gloved Turner did well to read and save.  All Bacup could offer in return was a hopeful punt from halfway that was dealt with and a long range free-kick that went way too high.  Liverpool looked to have the major chance to get the next goal, Hardacre put in some dinky work, crossed and saw the ball get turned over.  The penalty claim was borne from overexuberance and a touch of madness I thought.  The match remained on a knife edge and the midfield was where most of the combat took place.  A few corners and shots came each way - bite and direction were lacking on all deliveries until Hardacre release a stunning curler to the top corner with ample pace.  The guest keeper sprang, stuck out a mitt and produced yet another quality soaked save - a marvellous effort indeed.  Soon after a free-kick came the same way, No 5 (Jonathon Croasdale) tried one close in but the keeper was on hand once more, he was having a great game.

A lengthy period of bustling came with both teams digging away but finding no light at the end of their prospective tunnels.  The effort put in was 100%, sometimes even that is not enough to break the netting.  Into the arse end we went, No 12 (Matthew Corke) for AFCL went on a crafty, powerful run, he was halted at the last, the ball was released and Hall at the other end had a shot just wide of the sticks.  Bacup had a free-kick slammed into the wall and on the death a corner saw the ball enter, get knocked out, put back in, headed and saved on the line - man that was close.  There wasn't much in this, it was too tough to call, the referee was of the same frame of mind and decided penalties would be the answer.   The whistle blew, the folks flocked to the goal of destiny - we had a great view where we were - this is how the shoot-out went.

First up was Lyons of AFC Liverpool and a solid kick rippled mesh.  Gervin for the opposition knocked in a comfortable spot kick next and levelled matters and then Hardacre followed and blasted over.  Bacup now had the upperhand, Hall cemented this fact with a cool strike and then Liverpool's No 4 (Marc Stephens) kept his team in with a squeak with a cool execution.  No 5 (Laquan Esdaille-Biney) responded with an equally chilled hoof and made sure this one was going to the wire.  No 16 (Jordan Foster) was burdened with pressure, he struck on target but the save was solid and then Darcey O'Connor for the visiting tribe followed up and got the same result as the keeper did what was asked of him.  The ball was now placed on the spot, AFC Liverpools' No 10 (Callum Schorah) had to nail this to keep his team in it.   He approached the globe, struck well, Turner in the nets sprang and saved with solid reliance.   It looked all over, the Bacup players dashed forth in a celebrating wave - the referee saw a keeping infringement, 'please take again' was the order.  The tension was tactile, Schorah had a chance to redeem himself and save his sides ass.  The striker came forth, put toe on ball, the crowd held their breath - bang, bar struck, game over - Bacup Borough were on their way to the next round.  We had paid our money, took our chance and witnessed a thriller with a great contributer to this scenario and my choice of Man of the Match being Bacup Borough's No 1 (Harry Turner).  A series of great saves made sure his side got to the shoot out and when the time came he did enough to tip the scales and help the game go the way of the travellers.  A fine stint, a pleasure to behold - thank you mate.  We went home both chilled and warmed - anyone in attendance will understand this physical paradox!

FINAL THOUGHT - You can't beat variety - hence my passion for noise, nature and non-league football.   All areas are dealt with at ground level and for me, as proven today, it is always where greatest joy will be found.  The day to day shit gets on my tits, putting back for all three areas will hopefully enthuse others to have a nosey and if it does then they are in for a treat and will have less time to indulge in nonsense.  The teams today were difficult to separate and put in their all in a contest that was a clash of styles and one intriguing encounter.   AFC Liverpool were mightily unlucky and if, like a boxing match, the game would have been decided on points after the end of play, they would have surely won it by a split decision.  There were many positives to take from today, some good pace, quick thinking and a few narrow squeaks that could have finished this one early in the game.  Bacup are no mugs though and are something of a solid team that give little away in any area.   There is a strong nucleus of players and a variety of style that, with a little tweak here and there, could catapult them onto bigger and better things.  I hope both teams do well, they are always worthy of my time and play some decent football and I shall be at both grounds again at some point in the not too distant future - real football for real people and even old punk bastards like me (and the missus) - oh aye!