A goal from James Hooper wasn’t enough as the reserves went down 2-1 to Park Brow, their second successive defeat to the same opponents in four days. The result means that Park Brow now sit four points ahead of the reserves in third place and have a game in hand. With the top two of Allerton and Kingsley United assured of promotion, the reserves must now rely on other sides doing them a favour as well as winning their three remaining games.

Meanwhile AFC Liverpool Ladies lost by a solitary goal to second placed Manchester University. The Ladies finish their season on Friday evening with a home game against Winsford.

Goals from James Atherton and Karl McPartland weren’t enough as Park Brow came out on top winning 3-2 to move above the reserves into third place.

It means the reserves are a point behind Park Brow having played one game more but they will have another chance this Tuesday, 1st May, when the two sides meet once again.

Adam Waterhouse helped himself to a hat-trick and Dean Corris also got on the scoresheet while the other goal came courtesy of one of the opposition as the reserves racked up a 5-1 scoreline against Quarry Bank.

It’s a result that puts the reserves in second place, three points behind leaders Allerton, having played the same number of games. Kingsley United in third are two points behind with two games in hand whilst fourth place Park Brow are five points behind with two games in hand.

With three promotion place to play for, Saturday’s match could prove pivotal as the reserves are at home to Park Brow at Jericho Lane, kick off 2.30pm.

Solid though not overly creative in the first half, after the break the reserves lost their cohesion, especially in midfield, allowing Allerton to dominate proceedings and turn around the deficit.

After an opening period where both sides tentatively probed one another, the Reds’ took the lead on twenty minutes. A long ball out of defence set Bennett away and the Reds’ striker kept his composure to deftly chip the ball over former AFC Liverpool keeper Michael Christopher.

Three minutes later, James Buckley rifled in a first time shot from the edge of the box and for the briefest of seconds, it looked as though the Reds would double their lead as Christopher spilled the ball but the keeper recovered quickly to prevent it from crossing the line.

Allerton’s best move of the half saw Michael Smith’s pass release Micheal Boyle Jnr down the left flank. The speedy winger cut in onto his right foot but his shot from the edge of the area was straight at the Reds’ keeper.

Allerton were more determined after the break and got their equaliser on the hour mark. A brilliant diving header prevented Doyle’s shot from ending up in the back of the net but the ball fell to Williams and his first time strike put the ball into the back of the net before either keeper or defender had time to recover.

Five minutes later, Allerton took the lead through Byrne. Picking the ball up in the centre of the Reds’ half, he was allowed to turn and advance to the edge of the box unchallenged before driving low into the corner.

On seventy minutes, Williams grabbed his second of the game to put his side firmly in control of the match. Colin McNight, who again was allowed too much time and space, picked up the ball midway inside the Reds’ half, turned and fed Williams, allowing Allerton’s number nine to slot the ball into the corner.

Two goals down, the Reds’ finally kicked some life into themselves and had their best spell of the half, though they failed to create any clear cut chances. Muktar Mahama’s cross found Bennett but some close marking meant he wasn’t able to get his shot away and Shaun Harris couldn’t keep his free kick down.

With time running out, Williams completed his hat-trick, snapping up after defensive confusion to slot home from the edge of the area.

The match takes place at Walton Hall Park, Liverpool L4 9XP and the match kicks off at 6.30pm.

Fourth at the start of the day’s play, the reserves faced second placed Alder, who were a point ahead but today’s result sees the two sides swap places. Allerton lead the way, six points ahead but the Red’s reserves have a game in hand on them. Park Brow occupy the third spot, a further two points behind but with a game in hand on the reserves after they were held to a draw by Redgate Rovers, who recorded their first point of the season at the fifteenth time of asking. Alder are now level on points with Park Brow while Kingsley United are a further point behind, though they have games in hand on all those above them.

The reserves next match is on Tuesday when they face Allerton in the final of the Liverpool County FA Saturday Junior Cup. The game takes place at Walton Hall Park, Liverpool L4 9XP and kicks of at 6.30pm.

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams.

They take on second placed Alder, who are one point ahead but have played two games more. With realistically five teams vying for three promotion places, a win for the reserves tomorrow afternoon will put them in a strong position for a top three finish.

The game kicks off at 2.30pm and takes place at Jericho Lane.

Goals from Lee Goulding, John Goulding and Matthew Murphy kept the reserves in fourth spot in Division Two of the Liverpool County Premier League, with only goal difference keeping them out of the top three.

Allerton lead the way on thirty eight points but the reserves are just a point behind second placed Alder, with two games in hand. Kingsley United, currently third with thirty two points, have three games in hand on the reserves while Park Brow, also on thirty two have one game in hand on the reserves.

With three promotion places to go for, it could well be a crunch match when the reserves meet Alder this Saturday at Jericho Lane, kick off 2.30pm.

Getting back to Liverpool County Premier League Division 2 action after a run of recent cup games, the reserves kept up their promotion push with a big scoreline. Taking on second bottom Liobians, Joseph Bennett helped himself to four goals while John Goulding also had a claim to the match ball as he grabbed himself a hat-trick. Carl McPartland and Adam Waterhouse completed the rout as the reserves recorded their biggest win of the season.

The result keeps them in fourth place, out of the promotion place on goal difference but it is tight at the top as any three of six team could claim the top three spots. Their next game is on Tuesday 17th April, at home to Eli Lilly, with a 6.30pm kick off.

After three successive defeats had ended their chances of progressing in the competition, the reserves returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 win over Alder. Rob Lamont’s goal, his third of the season, gives the side a timely boost as they prepare for the final run in hoping to achieve promotion. There is one final group game against K.C.F.C. next Saturday but before then the reserves return to league action on Tuesday night when they take on Collegiate Old Boys Reserves. The match kicks off at 6.30 pm at Jericho Lane.