AFC Liverpool created history after they came from behind to beat Cheadle Town 2-1 to win the Vodkat First Division Trophy. Two second half headers from Andy Olsen cancelled out James McDonnagh’s first half opener as the Reds became the first team to win the trophy twice and consequently the first team to retain it in the competition’s twenty year history.
Going into the final as favourites, having won all four previous meetings with Cheadle Town, the Reds found themselves a goal down on ten minutes. A Paul McCormack corner found Phil Clorley at the back post and he was allowed to head the ball back across the goal into the six yard area where McDonnagh was able to nod home unchallenged from close range.
Midway through the half, the woodwork came to Cheadle Town’s rescue when Karl Gornell struck the bar after a fine volley from the edge of the area following a neat lay off from Olsen.
AFC Liverpool continued to press but couldn’t find an equaliser. A Phil Stafford free kick delivered into the area wasn’t properly dealt with by the Cheadle Town defence but neither Andy McCoy’s overhead kick nor River Humphryes’ volley could find a way through to goal. Shortly after, a counterattack ended with McCoy firing just wide of the upright from the edge of the area.
With half time approaching Cheadle Town almost increased their lead. Liam Coyne’s cross field ball was intercepted in the centre circle by McCormack and he set Ben Brookes racing into the Reds’ area. Bearing down on goal, Brookes saw his shot clip the inside of Paul Willis’ foot whereupon the ball was deflected agonisingly wide of the post.
Coming out for the second half, AFC Liverpool had a look of determination to get back into the game and they achieved this on fifty two minutes. Following a foul on Stafford midway inside the Cheadle Town half, Humphryes delivered the free kick to the edge of the six yard area where Olsen connected to guide the ball into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, Cheadle Town were shown not to have learnt their lesson as the Reds’ took the lead with an almost identical goal to their first. Tod Bamber was fouled in practically the same spot as Stafford had been and once again Humphryes delivered to the edge of the six yard box where Olsen rose to power home his header.
With the trophy now theirs to lose, AFC Liverpool set about holding Cheadle Town at bay and this they did by pressing their opposition, not allowing them time on the ball and forcing them into giving away possession. Though Cheadle Town committed men forwards, the Reds only real scare came when Aaron Riley headed over from six yards out from a McDonnagh flick on.
With space to exploit, AFC Liverpool counterattacked, almost extending their lead when Bamber and Gornell combined to set McCoy away but he fired wide from the edge of the area.
As the game neared its conclusion, Cheadle Town’s fate was sealed when they were reduced to ten men following Scott Clarke’s second yellow card and it was left to AFC Liverpool to celebrate writing themselves into the history books.
AFC Liverpool 2-1 Cheadle Town
Olsen 52’ 62’ McDonnagh 10’
Going into the final as favourites, having won all four previous meetings with Cheadle Town, the Reds found themselves a goal down on ten minutes. A Paul McCormack corner found Phil Clorley at the back post and he was allowed to head the ball back across the goal into the six yard area where McDonnagh was able to nod home unchallenged from close range.
Midway through the half, the woodwork came to Cheadle Town’s rescue when Karl Gornell struck the bar after a fine volley from the edge of the area following a neat lay off from Olsen.
AFC Liverpool continued to press but couldn’t find an equaliser. A Phil Stafford free kick delivered into the area wasn’t properly dealt with by the Cheadle Town defence but neither Andy McCoy’s overhead kick nor River Humphryes’ volley could find a way through to goal. Shortly after, a counterattack ended with McCoy firing just wide of the upright from the edge of the area.
With half time approaching Cheadle Town almost increased their lead. Liam Coyne’s cross field ball was intercepted in the centre circle by McCormack and he set Ben Brookes racing into the Reds’ area. Bearing down on goal, Brookes saw his shot clip the inside of Paul Willis’ foot whereupon the ball was deflected agonisingly wide of the post.
Coming out for the second half, AFC Liverpool had a look of determination to get back into the game and they achieved this on fifty two minutes. Following a foul on Stafford midway inside the Cheadle Town half, Humphryes delivered the free kick to the edge of the six yard area where Olsen connected to guide the ball into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, Cheadle Town were shown not to have learnt their lesson as the Reds’ took the lead with an almost identical goal to their first. Tod Bamber was fouled in practically the same spot as Stafford had been and once again Humphryes delivered to the edge of the six yard box where Olsen rose to power home his header.
With the trophy now theirs to lose, AFC Liverpool set about holding Cheadle Town at bay and this they did by pressing their opposition, not allowing them time on the ball and forcing them into giving away possession. Though Cheadle Town committed men forwards, the Reds only real scare came when Aaron Riley headed over from six yards out from a McDonnagh flick on.
With space to exploit, AFC Liverpool counterattacked, almost extending their lead when Bamber and Gornell combined to set McCoy away but he fired wide from the edge of the area.
As the game neared its conclusion, Cheadle Town’s fate was sealed when they were reduced to ten men following Scott Clarke’s second yellow card and it was left to AFC Liverpool to celebrate writing themselves into the history books.
AFC Liverpool 2-1 Cheadle Town
Olsen 52’ 62’ McDonnagh 10’
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