AFC LIVERPOOL 1

IRLAM FC 2

A 68th MINUTE strike from Matty William gave Irlam victory in this top of the table fixture against AFC Liverpool writes Warren Dodd.

An afternoon of horrendous weather at Valerie Park, home of Prescot Cables FC, meant that fitness would be a deciding factor over the course of the game.

Irlam showed early on with an free kick from Williams just over. The opening goal came almost immediately after, with a poor kick out from Liverpool keeper Willis breaking to Irlam striker Liam Duffy. He broke down the right wing leading to an excellent cross into the Liverpool box that saw Irlam’s Ben Young skilfully place the ball past the stranded Willis.

Irlam sensed that it may be their day, with another shot from Williams just rising above the bar.

Duffy squandered a one-on-one with the Liverpool keeper and Chris Palmer was denied by Willis.

Liverpool began to get back into it with Irlam keeper Lambert denying Parkes while Young cleared two inswinging corners off the line and Lambert denied Torpey in the last action of the half.

As the second half wore on, tired legs were evident and Irlam came back again with Williams and Duffy denied by Willis while Young’s effort cannoned off the bar.

Irlam felt they should have had a penalty when Williams was knocked to the floor in the area but referee Mr Wild was having none of it.

The decisive moment of the game, though, came in the 68th minute when Irlam’s Williams picked up a through ball and slotted tit past the stranded Willis.

At the restart of play, a long ball up the field eventually fell to Liverpool winger Humphreys who drilled a quality goal past a stretching Lambert to make it 2-1.

The efforts of both teams in the conditions had taken it’s toll and, despite Liverpool putting on an extra striker to salvage something from the game, it became a series of snatched shots from both sides with Irlam sealing the win.

Irlam are again on their travels this weekend, away to Norton Utd in Stoke in the League Challenge Cup.