A poor performance in midweek at Squires Gate meant that we did not make the most of a golden opportunity to move up to fourth in the league table.
However, we have an almost immediate opportunity to make amends for that uncharacteristically below par display when we travel to the Marine Travel Arena tomorrow afternoon.
The Opposition
AFC Liverpool have had an excellent start to their Premier Division season, and currently sit in third place, five points above ourselves and also just six points off the top of the table. This is a big improvement on last season, at the end of which they finished in 14th having scored one of the highest number of goals, but also featuring too high up on the list of goals conceded.
AFC Liverpool ground share with Marine FC, who memorably hosted Tottenham Hotspur in an third round FA Cup tie two seasons ago, although a 4G pitch has since been installed.
AFC Liverpool last six results
24/09/22 Bury AFC (H) W 1-0
07/10/22 Barnoldswick Town (H) W 3-0
16/10/22 FC Isle of Man (H) W 1-0
20/10/22 Lower Breck (A) L 1-0
22/10/22 Winsford United (A) D 1-1
26/10/22 Padiham (H) W 2-0
Head to Head
The two sides have met four times in the North West Counties League. The first of those encounters saw a 2-0 win for Avro at the Vestacare in December 2018, and the second was the biggest of them all so far in April 2019, with AFC Liverpool managing to deny us the First Division North championship when they scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute.
The two sides next met in August last year in the Premier Division in a match played at Skelmersdale United’s ground, and another late, late goal sealed the three points for the ‘home’ side in a 2-1 success. The return fixture took place in February this year, and despite an impressive first half and a 2-0 lead at the interval, we had to settle for a point as AFC Liverpool scored twice in the last twenty minutes, including a 91st minute equaliser.
One to Watch
Elliot Hughes has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form in recent weeks, with five goals in his last six games and eight for the season in total. The Ro’s defence would be well-advised to keep a close eye on him.
