FA Vase Second Round - AFC Blackpool 0 AFC Liverpool 2
Sat 13th November 2010 | FA Competition News | By Ian Templeman
Two second half goals eased AFC Liverpool into the Third Round of the Vase in a hard fought game at the Mechanics.
A penalty from Shaun Chart just before the hour, and a terrific solo effort from Steve Jones (pictured above) deep into stoppage time was enough to see off the challenge posed by a stubborn AFC Blackpool side.
The first half saw the visitors enjoy plenty of possession, although clear cut goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.
AFC Liverpool signalled their intentions from the off, and a Jack Sinott shot, a Stephen McCluskie header and a mazy run from Shaun Chart that ended with a shot into the side netting from 20 yards all caused consternation in the home defence in the opening 20 minutes.
The first chance of note for AFC Blackpool arrived at the midway point of the half, when skipper Matthew Muscroft headed wide from a Grant Dell cross.
The pace of Shaun Chart in his right sided midfield role was a constant threat to AFC Blackpool, and he created the best chance of the first half on 35 minutes. His forceful run down the right saw him cut the ball back into the box, and Jack Sinott's shot rebounded off the bar with home keeper Speight beaten.
Two minutes before the break, AFC Liverpool survived what looked to be a good shout for a penalty when AFC Blackpool's Martin Baird was sent tumbling in the box after a strong challenge, but the referee awarded a corner despite strong protests.
The early stages of the second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with neither side troubling the opposition keeper, but the deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute.
Another surging run by AFC Liverpool's Shaun Chart took him into the penalty area, and he was tripped as he feinted to go inside an AFC Blackpool defender. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Chart dusted himself down to dispatch the penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
Six minutes later the visitors nearly doubled their tally, when Jack Sinnott found himself in space when he met Steve Jones's cross, but the striker headed over from close range.
Inevitably as the game entered the closing stages, play swung from end to end as both sides looked for a goal, and a Ben Waddington shot and a Kevan Ford header that flew just wide offered AFC Blackpool some hope.
With two minutes remaining, a terrific piece of skill from AFC Liverpool's Steve Jones saw win the ball on half way, race through on goal and fire in a cracking shot that keeper Speight did well to beat away.
But deep into stoppage time Jones delivered the killer blow to AFC Blackpool when he collected a Karl Gornell pass and showed great skill and composure to dribble his way past two challenges before rounding the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net.
After the game AFC Liverpool manager Paul Moore said:
"I thought it was a good team performance from everyone, including the substitutes.
"AFC Blackpool are near the top of the league and have been on a decent run so you have to treat them with respect, but I felt quietly confident coming into the game. I was talking to Stuart Parker before the game, and he said they were due a win against us, but that's now seven games we've played against them now and they still haven't beaten us, so they are still due a win.
"We came here with a game plan, and it's easy when you win because you can say the game plan worked, but I do think it did. Shaun Chart was on top of his game today. The lad has ability and if we get him on the ball, he can create problems, and we got him in the game early.
"We had the better possession, especially in the first half and when it got to half time and we hadn't scored, you wonder if it is going to be one of those days. But I always felt with this team we've got goals in us.
"I was more than happy with the way we played and it's a little stepping stone for us to go as far as we have done in the competition up to now and long may it continue. Our priority is to try and get promotion, but as far as the draw goes (for the next round) we will take whatever it throws up. Our lads are capable of giving anyone a game at our level."
AFC Blackpool manager Stuart Parker said:
"From our point of view it was a disappointing performance, although the game turned on two penalty decisions. I thought ours was a definite penalty just before half time, but I can't complain about the one Liverpool got, it was a foul.
"My biggest disappointment is that as a team we lacked composure, we didn't really get our foot on the ball and pass it, which is what we have done all season. I don't think we ever really imposed ourselves other than probably a five minute spell.
"We missed Jason Dodwell who was suspended, and we lacked a bit of discipline in midfield, and seemed to lack a desire and cutting edge. We never really dominated the game and the players are honest enough to know they could have done better. But AFC Liverpool did a job on us and well done to them.
"I don't think we can complain, and we've still never beaten them but some day we will do. We are not downhearted as we still have plenty to play for."
FA Vase Second Round - AFC Blackpool 0 AFC Liverpool 2
Sat 13th November 2010 | FA Competition News
By Ian Templeman
Two second half goals eased AFC Liverpool into the Third Round of the Vase in a hard fought game at the Mechanics.
A penalty from Shaun Chart just before the hour, and a terrific solo effort from Steve Jones (pictured above) deep into stoppage time was enough to see off the challenge posed by a stubborn AFC Blackpool side.
The first half saw the visitors enjoy plenty of possession, although clear cut goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.
AFC Liverpool signalled their intentions from the off, and a Jack Sinott shot, a Stephen McCluskie header and a mazy run from Shaun Chart that ended with a shot into the side netting from 20 yards all caused consternation in the home defence in the opening 20 minutes.
The first chance of note for AFC Blackpool arrived at the midway point of the half, when skipper Matthew Muscroft headed wide from a Grant Dell cross.
The pace of Shaun Chart in his right sided midfield role was a constant threat to AFC Blackpool, and he created the best chance of the first half on 35 minutes. His forceful run down the right saw him cut the ball back into the box, and Jack Sinott's shot rebounded off the bar with home keeper Speight beaten.
Two minutes before the break, AFC Liverpool survived what looked to be a good shout for a penalty when AFC Blackpool's Martin Baird was sent tumbling in the box after a strong challenge, but the referee awarded a corner despite strong protests.
The early stages of the second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with neither side troubling the opposition keeper, but the deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute.
Another surging run by AFC Liverpool's Shaun Chart took him into the penalty area, and he was tripped as he feinted to go inside an AFC Blackpool defender. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Chart dusted himself down to dispatch the penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
Six minutes later the visitors nearly doubled their tally, when Jack Sinnott found himself in space when he met Steve Jones's cross, but the striker headed over from close range.
Inevitably as the game entered the closing stages, play swung from end to end as both sides looked for a goal, and a Ben Waddington shot and a Kevan Ford header that flew just wide offered AFC Blackpool some hope.
With two minutes remaining, a terrific piece of skill from AFC Liverpool's Steve Jones saw win the ball on half way, race through on goal and fire in a cracking shot that keeper Speight did well to beat away.
But deep into stoppage time Jones delivered the killer blow to AFC Blackpool when he collected a Karl Gornell pass and showed great skill and composure to dribble his way past two challenges before rounding the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net.
After the game AFC Liverpool manager Paul Moore said:
"I thought it was a good team performance from everyone, including the substitutes.
"AFC Blackpool are near the top of the league and have been on a decent run so you have to treat them with respect, but I felt quietly confident coming into the game. I was talking to Stuart Parker before the game, and he said they were due a win against us, but that's now seven games we've played against them now and they still haven't beaten us, so they are still due a win.
"We came here with a game plan, and it's easy when you win because you can say the game plan worked, but I do think it did. Shaun Chart was on top of his game today. The lad has ability and if we get him on the ball, he can create problems, and we got him in the game early.
"We had the better possession, especially in the first half and when it got to half time and we hadn't scored, you wonder if it is going to be one of those days. But I always felt with this team we've got goals in us.
"I was more than happy with the way we played and it's a little stepping stone for us to go as far as we have done in the competition up to now and long may it continue. Our priority is to try and get promotion, but as far as the draw goes (for the next round) we will take whatever it throws up. Our lads are capable of giving anyone a game at our level."
AFC Blackpool manager Stuart Parker said:
"From our point of view it was a disappointing performance, although the game turned on two penalty decisions. I thought ours was a definite penalty just before half time, but I can't complain about the one Liverpool got, it was a foul.
"My biggest disappointment is that as a team we lacked composure, we didn't really get our foot on the ball and pass it, which is what we have done all season. I don't think we ever really imposed ourselves other than probably a five minute spell.
"We missed Jason Dodwell who was suspended, and we lacked a bit of discipline in midfield, and seemed to lack a desire and cutting edge. We never really dominated the game and the players are honest enough to know they could have done better. But AFC Liverpool did a job on us and well done to them.
"I don't think we can complain, and we've still never beaten them but some day we will do. We are not downhearted as we still have plenty to play for."