A late strike from Michael Meszaros denied AFC Liverpool all three points in their clash with Leek CSOB after Aaron Stafford’s first half goal looked as though it would be enough to claim the win.
The Reds had the better of the first half but clear cut chances were difficult to come by. Shaun Chart’s mazy run ended with him shooting into the side netting whilst Aaron Stafford was denied the opener by a last gasp sliding tackle after being put through by Steve Corris.
Leek then went close to claiming the opening goal when Jack Baker could only push Ryan Greene’s viscous shot up into the air and then Oliver Mellor flung himself at the ball only to see his header bounce the wrong side of the post with Anthony Tarr unable to stretch enough to poke home.

The Reds did take the lead when Phil Stafford’s quickly taken free kick released Chart down the right and his cross was converted by Aaron Stafford.

Karl Gornell then went close to adding a second when his run and shot beat Leek keeper Robert Hackney only for the ball to bounce back off the upright and narrowly avoid Aaron Stafford as he slid in.

In the second half chances for the Reds dried up, with Gornell’s long range effort one of the few sights of goal that the home side had.

As the half wore on the Reds lost their focus and allowed Leek back in the match and the visitors claimed their equaliser with ten minutes remaining. As Mark Fox lined up for a free kick, Meszaros was allowed to drift unnoticed off the wall and when the ball was knocked to him he had the time to set himself up before striking past Baker.

Oliver Edwards was then presented with the chance to steal all three points for the visitors shortly before the full time whistle but fortunately for the Reds his effort drifted past the upright.

AFC Liverpool 1-1 Leek CSOB
Stafford 33′          Meszaros 80′

Attendance: 153

AFC Liverpool: 1.Jack Baker 2.Callum Tai-Hogan 3.Darren Torpey 4.Stephen McCluskie 5.Neil Jones 6.Philip Stafford (C) 7.Karl Gornell 8.Shaun Chart 9.Aarron Stafford (15.Sean Ferguson 68′) 10.Steven Corris 11.Kieran Quinn (12.Adam Gilchrist 70′)
Unused Subs: 14.David Derefaka 16. Scott McNair

Leek CSOB: 1.Robert Hackney 2.Samuel Pettitt 3.Michael Meszaros (15.Rocky Dunn-Fox 89′) 4.Dean Owen 5.Michael Byrne 6.Ryan Greene (14.William Bown 68′) 7.Mark Fox 8.Daniel Hyde 9.Anthony Tarr 10.Oliver Edwards 11.Oliver Mellor (12.Robert Drummond 68′)

Unused Sub: 16.Brett Barlow

Picture courtesy of Dave Williams