PREVIEW | AFC Liverpool vs FC St Helens: Stripes encouraged by strong week
1 week ago | 11.08.2025, 09:59
Once again, FC St Helens are back on the road — which shouldn’t come as a surprise, with them having only hosted two matches so far this season, which saw them beat FC Isle of Man in the league and Glossop in an FA Cup replay at SMS Pro Soccer Park.
Tomorrow night sees The Stripes travel to the Berry Street Garage Stadium, where they reacquaint themselves with an AFC Liverpool outfit that they got the better of in their two meetings last season — which included in a brave battle away from home.
FC St Helens:
This season has thus far transpired to see FC St Helens, in their second term at the top level of the NWCFL, endure mixed fortunes in the league — with a loss, win and draw from each of their opening three league matches.
With Michael Smith at the helm, they have an experienced figure, who guided The Stripes to this level and navigated them to within touching distance of the play-offs at their first attempt at playing in this league.
With that, they’ll be buoyed to improve to a further extent — having enjoyed a satisfactory week in which they secured their maiden FA Cup win in that replay with Glossop, as well as earning a hard-fought point at possible title-challengers, Ramsbottom.
Tomorrow night sees The Stripes travel to the Berry Street Garage Stadium, where they reacquaint themselves with an AFC Liverpool outfit that they got the better of in their two meetings last season — which included in a brave battle away from home.
FC St Helens:
This season has thus far transpired to see FC St Helens, in their second term at the top level of the NWCFL, endure mixed fortunes in the league — with a loss, win and draw from each of their opening three league matches.
With Michael Smith at the helm, they have an experienced figure, who guided The Stripes to this level and navigated them to within touching distance of the play-offs at their first attempt at playing in this league.
With that, they’ll be buoyed to improve to a further extent — having enjoyed a satisfactory week in which they secured their maiden FA Cup win in that replay with Glossop, as well as earning a hard-fought point at possible title-challengers, Ramsbottom.
AFC Liverpool:
As for AFC Liverpool, their opening three league fixtures of the season have seen them accumulate a solitary point — despite their efforts.
With them yet to be beaten by more than a two-goal margin, their endeavours haven’t been for the want of trying and, having secured a last-minute win in their FA Cup replay with Abbey Hey when they were last on home soil, they will be eager to replicate that with their first divisional win in this one.
Opposition Player to Watch — Caleb Jones
One of three scorers for his side this season, Jones tops their charts — having scored thrice already.
And, the quality that he possesses has seen him deservedly reap the rewards on a personal note.
Last season’s NWCFL Premier Division Player of the Year, Jones has evidently picked up from where he left off — also appearing in each of his side’s matches for this term.
Having produced that last-gasp goal in AFC Liverpool’s aforementioned FA Cup win over Abbey Hey, the threat that he poses is there for all to see — with The Stripes having to be wary of his attributes and on top of their game, in order to keep him at bay.
