MATCH REPORT | AFC Liverpool 1-5 FC St Helens: Five-star performance from Stripes

Match report & images by Liam McDermott

FC St Helens’ trip to AFC Liverpool, their fourth away match of the season, resulted in Michael Smith’s side comfortably winning — thanks to braces from Josh Briggs and Tom McNamara, in addition to Luc Ferry’s header.

The Stripes came into this one on the back of the most mixed of mixed fortunes to start their second NWCFL Premier Division campaign — having lost, won and drawn in each of this term’s three league matches.

The most recent of those was a hard-fought battle in which they secured a point at Ramsbottom United, seeing Smith’s side head into this one in a buoyant mood.

And, they nearly made the perfect start with one of the heroes of last week’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Glossop, Briggs, latching onto a stunning long-range pass from Joe Mason — before forcing David Parkinson into a strong save.

In Caleb Jones, the hosts boasted the division’s Player of the Year for last season and a forward that already had three goals to his name.

He looked to be the architect of the opener on this occasion, picking Adam Moorcroft out with a wicked delivery.

But, when it looked inevitable that he’d find the back of the net, Harry Hagan was there to clear his effort.

That would hand the visitors something of an initiative — with Briggs proving that he has made himself comfortable in new surroundings.

Having scored 24 for Padiham last season, he opened his account for his current club in that FA Cup tie with a brace and added to his tally with a neat turn and a sharp finish that nestled into the bottom corner.

With that, the home side looked to draw level, but Moorcroft appeared to be luckless — with his powerful header from point-blank range being kept at bay by Mason, who produced one of the best saves that you will see at any level this season, before exhibiting some rather more routine stops to twice deny Joel Skillen’s strikes across the surface with little of the first half remaining.

But, AFC Liverpool weren’t to be silenced for much longer — starting the second half as brightly as they finished the first.

Having imposed themselves excellently, the pressure that they inflicted upon The Stripes’ backline paid dividends in the 48th minute — culminating in prolific frontman, Elliot Taylor, firing into an unguarded net.

With that early strike levelling proceedings, the outcome of the match was seemingly up for grabs from the outset and the hosts, now firmly on top, nearly took the lead in amazing fashion — with Louie Lancaster, dismissed in this fixture last season, seeing his acrobatic effort go over, before Moorcroft’s distanced half-volley did the same.

Those opportunities would give Smith’s side a much-needed wake-up call and, as is becoming a common occurrence, McNamara would find the back of the net.

Ghen Orhenomare’s delivery was inviting and it would have been rude for FC St Helens’ mercurial midfielder not to have found the net and restored their lead — with a header that marked his third goal in as many league matches.

With that, he and his side were very much in the groove and turned on the style for the 20 minutes that remained.

Ethan Jones enjoyed another fine personal display since his summer arrival, picking substitute, Ryan Sinnott, out.

He obliged in doing the hard work of racing beyond the onrushing Parkinson, before McNamara ensured that his effort found the net with a simple tap-in.

The midfielder has hit a rich vein of form that has emphasised his capabilities from a goalscoring vantage point, but he wouldn’t be the last player to score for the visitors.

After Briggs was thwarted by a great save from close-range, another substitute, Ferry, powered an emphatic header home from the subsequent corner.

That looked like it would be the last significant act of the encounter, but more was to come — with Briggs, the man who had the first word, also having the final one.

Ferry would be another focal point, picking the new man out for a fierce drive into the bottom corner that concluded a comprehensive victory that will have The Stripes brimming with confidence ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Atherton LR.