Playing the same opponents for the second week running, the reserves couldn’t match the previous 5-2 cup win as both teams shared the spoils in this league fixture. Joe Bennett gave the Reds the lead from the spot, his sixth of the season, but Eli Lilly grabbed a point through Joe Kelly. Next Saturday they take on Warbreck Reserves.

On Sunday, the youth team were in the goals, winning 7-3 against The Famous Grapes, Andrew Sweeney grabbing himself four goals and Adam Waterhouse claiming a brace.  They remain three points clear at the top but second placed Kirkstall, who have three games in hand, kept on the pressure with a remarkable result. Joe Jennings scored seven as his side won 17-1 against Woolton Wanderers.

AFC Liverpool Ladies responded well to the defeat last time out as they secured a narrow 1-0 away against Liverpool Feds Reserves. It’s a result that moves them level on points with Winsford and opens up a seven point gap between them and third bottom Manchester Stingers.

The Under 13’s, again having a fine season, have booked their place in the last four of the LCFA Saturday Tesco Cup while in the LCFA Sunday Tesco Cup they have quarter final at home to Netherton Park. This takes place on Sunday 5th February and comes after a 4-2 extra time win over Mags in the last round. In the Saturday competition, the lads beat Birkdale United 2-1 in the quarter finals to set up a semi final clash against Knowsley South on 4th February.

The Under 18’s, in the Liverpool County Premier League Sunday Youth Division Cup, have a slender 4-3 advantage over St Margarets in their first round two legged tie.

A solitary goal courtesy of Matthew Murphy five minutes from time gave the Under 18’s a narrow win against Aintree Vipers on Sunday, and this result, coupled with a defeat for the Famous Grapes sent AFC Liverpool back to the top of the Liverpool County Premier League Youth Division. It was their eighth win of the season and sends them two points clear at the top.

The reserves went down 2-0 away to top of the table Allerton. It’s a result that leaves them in mid table though with four games in hand on the leaders, they could still draw level on points with Saturday’s opponents.

AFC Liverpool Ladies tool a trip up the East Lancs Road to face second placed City of Manchester but suffered their worst defeat of the season, going down 8-1. The Ladies will look to put that result behind them next week as they take on bottom of the table Glossop North End.

In the Liverpool County Premier League Sunday Youth Division, AFC Liverpool Under 18’s went down 1-0 at home to Kirkstall. The result sees them slip to second in the table, one point behind leaders The Famous Grapes, with Kirkstall now moving up to third, three points behind but with three games in hand.

In the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South, AFC Liverpool Ladies also suffered a home defeat, going down 2-1 to AFC Urmston Meadowside. The result leaves them ninth in the table four points ahead of Sunday’s opponents.

The Under 18’s still top the Liverpool County Premier League Sunday Youth Division thanks to a 2-0 win away to East Villa Youth. A penalty from Richard Burke gave them a half time lead which was added to by Aiden Drew to ensure they remain two points clear of the chasing pack.

AFC Liverpool Ladies were up against Everton Ladies in the Liverpool County FA Women’s Senior Cup but suffered a 7-0 defeat at Rossett Park as they went out in the quarter finals.

In the Liverpool County Premier League Division Two, AFC Liverpool reserves won 3-1 away to K.C.F.C. with two goals from Joe Bennett, taking his tally to five for the season, and one from Shaun Harris. It’s a result that extends their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games and sees them fifth in the league, three points behind the leaders Allerton but with two games in hand.

AFC Liverpool Ladies travelled to Winsford on Sunday and they came away with a 1-0 victory. The results solidifies their position in ninth place, pulling them away from the bottom three and into contention for a mid table spot.

The Under 18’s climbed to the top of the Liverpool County Premier League Sunday Youth Division with a 3-1 home win over Houldings. Strikes from George Ferguson, Adam Jones and Adam Woodhouse moved them two points clear at the top as the team made it five wins on the bounce.

FC United had the first chance of the game when the impressive number 7 shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Moments later AFC had their first positive attack and scored another great team goal when Joe Evans and Dean Williamson combined well and released Jordan Gerrard who finish with vengeance from 10 yards out.

Afc continued to win the personal battles on the pitch with Billy Sutton causing the FC back 4 problems with his powerful and direct approach, and it was a foul on him just inside the FC half that brought about AFC’s second.

Kieron Long put a quality ball in to the area and Gerrard again rose highest to bullet a header in to the top corner.

Half time FC 0 AFC 2

The AFC manager stressed the importance of the next goal in the half time team talk, and it was his AFC side who answered him in the best possible way when Gerrard capitalized on a poor defensive clearance and coolly lobbed the keeper from 30 yards out.

FC now started to play some good stuff and created a good opportunity but AFC keeper Chris Brinksman was up to the task and neatly tipped a curling shot round the post. But there was nothing he could do when FCUM finally scored after good pressure.

The number 7 slipped a great ball into the striker who finished well from a tight angle, much to the delight of a voicerous home line.

The referee now seemed to take centre stage with some curious decisions booking several players and sending the FCUM left back off for what looked like trying to return to the field of play after going off for treatment!!

AFC finally put the game to bed in emphatic stlye when Williamson seized on a poor pass and finished well past the keepers left. As the final whistle blew the referee sent another FC player off for dissent in a game that never warranted so many cautions as it was played in good spirits and the welcome the AFC players and staff received was top class.

So it is AFC who progress into the next round after another 4-1 win.

Ian Porter (AFC manager) gave his man of the match to hat trick hero Jordan Gerrard who scored the perfect hat trick (Right foot, Left foot and a header) although the defence played well together with
Conor Murphy in particular impressing.

So its to Altrincham Youth next week who should provide a big test for the lads as they
finished runners up last season narrowly missing out in the league by a single point.

Final Score: FC United of Manchester 1 AFC Liverpool 4

Report by AFC Liverpool fan Vinster.

The under 18’s recently competed in the umbro tournament featuring teams from over 50 countries and got to the final.

On the wednesday AFC Liverpool played Flixton youth and drew 2.2, In a game they dominated and should have won by a clear margin, The AFC goalscorer’s being Joe Evans with a thunderous left foot shot and Dean Williamson with a trademark free kick.

On Wednesday afternoon AFC played Wilmlslow Juniors and beat them 2.1 in a score line which flattered the opposition. Dean Williamson scored again and Matt Mcdermott grabbing the first and leaving AFC top of their group at the end of the day.

On Thursday AFC only had one game which they drew 0.0 against grapes new chapel from London in a game were they created enough chances to win 10 games leaving them needing to win their final group game to ensure qualification.

Friday AFC faced Sale united and beat them 16 .0 Billy Sutton grabbing 5 goals,Matt Mcdermott 4, Jordan Gerrard 1, Lloyd Molyneux 2, Anthony Mcdowell 1, Joe Evans 2, and Dean williamson 1

In the Semi Final AFC played River State from Nigeria and beat them 4.1 with goals from Matt Mcdermott 2, Billy Sutton 1, and Dean williamson scoring again in a good game of football and the lad’s will have gained good experience from playing against foreign opposition.

AFC looked tired and were left with a thin squad for the last day and were beaten 2.0, but overall the AFC youngsters can be pleased with their contribution to this prestigious tournament with teams from over 50 countries competing in it.
Manager Ian porter Said he “Was pleased with the lads attitude over 4 days of football, i thought they would tire at the end of the tournament, for the day of the final we met at 7.30am at the Jolly Miller and the final seemed a game too far for us, but we cant complain because we had a good few days together and the spirit amongst the lads is first class.

It was a decent game, with both teams getting the ball down and playing football.

This was AFC Liverpool U18s first game of the pre season and Macclesfield’s second.

Ian will be pleased with what he saw from his squad on the night. He was able to give the full squad a run out and the new players he brought in impressed him.

The only thing he will be disappointed with, was the way they conceded the goal, but that can be put down to a little rustiness, which I’m sure will disappear once the season gets under way.

This match was against a professional club’s youth team and a couple of Macclesfield’s players had played 1st team football so this was a very good performance for AFC Liverpool’s U18s.

If this standard is maintained, AFC Liverpool will have a very good U18 team.

Report by Kevin Torpey