The Reds’ six game unbeaten run came to an end as Joe Jacombs’ first half header sealed all three points for the hosts at Andrew Street.

Playing their fourth game in eight days clearly showed in a lacklustre performance, especially in the first half when they were too easily outmuscled and unable to close Chadderton down, allowing the home side too much freedom. For their dominance though, Chadderton created few clear cut chances.
They took the lead on nineteen minutes when Jacombs’ header looped up and over Michael Christopher but other than that the Reds’ keeper was largely untroubled. There was a routine save from Gareth Edwards and shortly before half time he had to palm away Adam Edwards’ drive from the edge of the area. The Reds though failed to register an attempt on target.
That was rectified ten seconds into the second half when Daniel McGahon robbed Gareth Edwards but his near post shot was beaten away by Lee Swanson. John Kennedy then flashed a first time drive into the side netting from McGahon’s knock down and then Shaun Chart’s shot from the edge of the area was a comfortable take for Swanson.
Controversy ensued seconds later as Swanson’s long kick down field wasn’t dealt with by the AFC Liverpool defence, allowing James Curley to race onto the ball but he was hauled down on the edge of the area by Stephen McCluskie. The referee firstly awarded the home side a penalty but after consulting with his linesman, changed his mind to a free kick right outside the box, much to the dismay of Chadderton.
Kieran Quinn sidefooted a volley over the bar after getting onto the end of a David Mather cross but as they pushed men forward in search of an equaliser, they left themselves vulnerable to the counterattack. Chadderton wasted several opportunities to seal the victory, most notably when Curley was waiting to tuck home Adam Edwards’ cross but was thwarted by the uneven surface.
As the game entered the final few minutes, Steve Corris twice went close to grabbing a point, firing just wide from twenty five yards shortly after an even better chance when he got onto the end of Paddy O’Driscoll’s ball into the area. His run having not been tracked, he was free to guide his header into either corner but instead it bounced down into the ground and up into the arms of a grateful Swanson and the visitor’s best chance of the game went begging.

Chadderton 1-0 AFC Liverpool
Jacombs 19′
Attendance: 85

AFC Liverpool: 1.Michael Christopher 2.Mark Toohey 3.Darren Torpey 4.Richard Stenhouse (15. Stephen McCluskie 47′) 5.Paddy O’Driscoll (C) 6.David Mather 7.Daniel McGahon (16.Joe Gibbons 82′)  8.Kieran Quinn 9.John Kennedy (12. James Thomas 60) 10.Steve Corris 11.Shaun Chart.
Unused Sub: 14.Conor Murphy
Chadderton: 1.Lee Swanson 2.Adam Brown 3.Gareth Edwards 4.Ben Greenidge 5.Keith Melvin 6.Daniel Shaw 7.Tom Hughes 8.Gareth Morris 9.Adam Edwards 10.James Curley 11.Joseph Jacombs (12. Andrew Pheby 75′)
Unused Subs: 14.Sean Nolan 15.Andrew Kremner 16.Jack Fitzgerald 17.Chris Jepson

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams