Still leaders, but rivals have chance to close gap

1874 Northwich had been unbeaten in 10 league matches, a sequence that started with a 2-1 win at home to New Mills on August 16, before kick off last night.

Ian Street’s side established a four-point lead at the Premier Division summit as a result, so missed an opportunity to put further distance between them and their fellow promotion-hopefuls.

Three of those – West Didsbury & Chorlton, Bootle and Runcorn Town – can take over if they win their games in hand.

The 1874 manager’s frustration afterwards was the manner in which his side lost to a direct rival.

“History says you can probably afford to lose about five games if you want to challenge for the title,” he said.

“And that’s providing you’re picking up wins regularly.

“I don’t want to have another night like that.”

Unlike in recent seasons, there doesn’t appear yet to be an outstanding candidate to take top spot.

That may give everybody more margin for error.

Match report: 1874 1-3 AFC Liverpool

Absences prove telling

With Paul Connor ruled out by an ankle injury and Ryan Mitchell unavailable after completing a three-match ban, 1874’s back four had an unfamiliar feel.

Corey Mason found Emini Adegbenro’s speed difficult to contain, while Callum Jones’ switch to a central role – after filling in for Connor at full back the past two games – did not work out at all.

AFC Liverpool front man Jason Carey was too quick, too powerful and too wily, prompting Street to make what felt like a mercy substitution after an hour.

Neil Chappell was missing too, starting his second suspension of the season while another likely starter, winger Ryan Jackson, watched from the stands.

The date of his return to the field is unlikely to be any time soon while doctors search for a solution to a knee problem.

“We’ll miss all of those guys in big games like this one,” rued Street afterwards.

Leaving out captain Matthew Woolley

Skipper Matthew Woolley was an alternative choice to Callum Jones to play alongside Danny Thomas in defence, but he was named only as a substitute.

Street said after the final whistle that his decision to drop the midfielder was made after what he felt was a dip in performance over the past week or so.

“He’s been very average by his standards,” said the 1874 boss.

“That’s an assessment he agrees with, so how can he expect to be picked?”

Mark Jones led the side in Woolley’s absence, and was the hosts’ best performer.

Rick Bailey battled alongside him, but Liverpool’s extra man in the middle of the field – Marvin Molyneux occupied a deep position in front of the back four with Paul Speed and Francis Smith ahead of him – made a difference.

The veteran also helped cut out passes into channels where 1874 front pair Tom Bailey and Scott McGowan like to make runs.

Greg Hall watches a lob sail over his head. Twice

To criticise 1874 Northwich goalkeeper Greg Hall too harshly would be a red herring.

A spell in the closing stages aside, AFC Liverpool’s defenders had too comfortable an evening considering they faced attackers in a rich vein of scoring form.

John Dillon and substitute Freddie Potter also deserve high praise for executing perfect finishes when presented with an opportunity to score with a lofted shot from distance.

On both occasions Hall headed a ball into their path after leaving his penalty area to meet passes played behind the hosts’ back-line.

Barnton scored in similar circumstances during an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie on the opening day of the campaign.

“They were sloppy, silly, mistake-laden goals,” was Street’s verdict afterwards.

Only four teams have conceded fewer goals than his side in the North West Counties League top flight this term and one of those – landlords Winsford United – have played five less matches.

An off-night? Definitely.

In praise of AFC Liverpool

On last night’s evidence, it’s a mystery why AFC Liverpool only occupy eighth place in the standings.

Win their games in hand, and that will improve of course.

Few, if any, of their rivals in the division have the luxury of introducing a player of Freddie Potter’s ability from the substitute’s bench.

Their side is crammed with know-how, and are used to playing with each other.

In Francis Smith, they possess one of the most naturally-gifted midfielders at this level.

His ability to play, and make, a pass that brings the likes of Adegbenro and speedy substitute Connor Wright into play is a feature that was missing from 1874 Northwich’s approach when they had possession.

In a promotion race that enters October with more possible winners than in the past, they can surely have the quality to go the distance.