The Reds’ next game is against Bacup Borough at Valerie Park on Saturday 11th February, kick off 3pm.
The reserves game against BRNESC has also been postponed.

Kick off will be at 7.45pm.

The result was a fair reflection of the games, as apart from a short period from just before they equalised till half time, AFC Liverpool were never really in the game and allowed the home side to be too comfortable in possession.

The opening goal came on fifteen minutes when Leon Bimpson came off his line but failed to claim Mark Ayres’ long ball into the area. Jordan Hulme nicked possession and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle.

The home side continued to have the better of the game. Ian Flannery was only a whisker away from turning home Gaskell’s driven cross and a vital touch was needed by Adam Farley to prevent Gaskell converting Philip Dean’s square ball.

Having not been any threat, the Reds suddenly piped up after thirty five minutes and soon drew themselves level. Steven Jones fired a shot straight into the midriff of Grant Shenton and a minute later Jones combined with Nevil Picton to feed Muktar Mahama. Forced just a little wide by the pace of the ball, Mahama still fired in a shot that Shenton had to turn around the post. From the resulting corner, the ball was returned to Jones and his inswinging cross to the six yard line was nodded home by Sinnott.

Suddenly buoyed, AFC Liverpool began to put pressure on the hosts and they looked vulnerable but a lack of sharpness from those the red shirts saw them fail to capitalise. Hopes though were there that they could take the initiative into the second half but it never materialised and Ramsbottom were back on the front foot.

Bimpson kept the scores level with some fine saves, first turning behind Hulme’s header before needing a strong hand to palm away Dean’s fierce drive. The Reds’ keeper was in action again shortly after, blocking Michael Morrison’s drive with his legs but Bimpson could do nothing to prevent Gaskell’s first. Picking the ball up thirty yards out, he worked his way to the edge of the area before driving home into the top corner.

Still in the ascendency, Rasmbottom pushed for a third. Hulme sent a delicate chip inches over the bar before Gaskell grabbed his second of the match on sixty eight minutes. Flicking Hulme’s knock down away from Chris Williams gave Gaskeel the space he need to fire low past Bimpson to seal the result for his team.

AFC Liverpool huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a rhythm and it wasn’t until the final seconds that Shenton was forced into a save, blocking Shaun Gardner’s shot on the turn.

Ramsbottom United 3-1 AFC Liverpool
Hulmes 15′                                         Sinnott 38′
Gaskell 55′, 68′

Attendance: 147

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams.

Riverside Ground, Acrebottom, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 0BS

Directions: From South: M66 to junction 1, take A56 towards Ramsbottom. After 1 mile turn left at traffic lights down Bury New Road, Follow road through Town Centre then turn left before railway crossing, along road running parallel with railway.

Nearest Railway Station: Bury (Metrolink), Ramsbottom (East Lancashire Railway)

The pitch is frozen at the moment but the sun is out, so fingers are crossed. The result will be posted as soon as it is known.

Another good performance will be needed by the Reds as they face another promotion hopeful. Currently lying second, the Rams have won seven out of their last eight league games, with a 1-0 away defeat to Squires Gate the only blip on the record. However, two consecutive 3-1 wins over Maine Road and Runcorn Town have kept them in the mix for top spot.

With possible inclement weather, Ramsbottom will be taking a look at the pitch at 9.30am to determine whether a pitch inspection is needed. Further information will be posted on the website as well as AFC Liverpool’s Twitter page when it is known.

If you’re going to the game and want to watch the other Liverpool United game, it will be shown live in the cricket clubhouse, which is adjacent to the Riverside Stadium.

Ramsbottom United v AFC Liverpool
Saturday 28th January 2012
Kick Off: 3pm
Riverside Ground, Acrebottom, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 0BS

Directions: From South: M66 to junction 1, take A56 towards Ramsbottom. After 1 mile turn left at traffic lights down Bury New Road, Follow road through Town Centre then turn left before railway crossing, along road running parallel with railway.

Nearest Railway Station: Bury (Metrolink), Ramsbottom (East Lancashire Railway)

It came a minute after Steve Corris’ long range shot was parried away by Alexander Woodcock, which looked to promise a continuation of the good work displayed by the Reds in the first half.

After Spencer Jordan failed to turn home Garbutt’s cross within the first thirty seconds of the match, it was the home side who created the better of the chances. Jack Sinnott’s shot cum cross was beaten away by Woodcock before Corris’ header, following a Steve Jones corner, was headed off the line by Liam Blades. Corris was then on the end of a Steven Williams free kick but his header looped over the bar.

A Jones through ball fed Michael McGree but he saw his shot saved by the legs of Woodcock and in the follow up neither Jones nor Sinnott could force a shot. Woodcock then had to be at his best to deny Corris, who had found space out wide and looked to float his effort over the keeper. At full stretch though, he could only tip the ball to Jones but the Reds’ striker put his chance into the side netting.

Blades burst into the box to latch onto Garbutt’s lay off but only fired into the stanchion in what proved to be the visitors only other chance of the first half. With Woodcock having dealt with Corris’ effort, Paul Fildes was given too much room to fire in a shot that pinballed off Leon Bimpson and Richard Stenhouse, allowing Garbutt to poach what turned out to be the winner.

Once again AFC Liverpool shaded the half but they couldn’t fashion the chances like they did in the first forty five and a few set pieces were the closest they came to finding an equaliser. Jones’ long range blast was deflected over the bar whilst Williams’ similar effort whistled a couple of yards wide and though their efforts merited a point, it was the visitors who took all three.

AFC Liverpool 0-1 Barnoldswick Town
Garbutt 48′

Attendance: 117

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams

AFC Liverpool v Barnoldswick Town
Kick Off: 3pm
Valerie Park, Hope Street, Prescot, L34 6ND
Admission: Adults £5, Seniors £3, Under 18’s £2

Should the game go ahead, AFC Liverpool will face a side third in the table, six points off top spot but with five and three games in hand on the top two respectively. Barnoldswick have lost only once in their last ten, away to Glossop North End, and won at home 2-0 to Congleton Town last time out, their only game of the new year so far.

Following last week’s postponement, the Reds will be looking to get back into action to build upon their performance against Colne as they look to even things out against Barnoldswick, with the visitors having won the return fixture 3-1 back in October.

The weather of the past week coupled with Prescot’s midweek postponement means there will in all likelihood a morning pitch inspection to determine if the game can go ahead. Check back with the website or AFC Liverpool’s Twitter page for updates.

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams.