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Search forFootball: Old Boys see off leaders
Friday, November 21, 2008, 08:02
But the Old Boys – who survived the final 26 minutes with 10 men – proved more than a match for the table-toppers to register their finest result of the season.
The match proved to be a pulsating game with drama, well-taken goals, good saves and some neat football on a wet pitch that cut up.
Liverpool enjoyed an early opportunity when their captain Andy Barlow rose to head Wignall's accurate free-kick over the bar.
At the other end, Mick Machin was brought down, but Adam Brindle's free-kick was tipped over the bar by the Liverpool keeper.
And the resulting corner was headed wide of the post by Brett Barlow.
On 11 minutes, Mark Thorley was brought down by Mark Bloxam some 30 yards out from the Liverpool goal.
Gareth Rowe hit a superb drive that flew past the Liverpool wall and into the visitors' net, just wide of Liverpool keeper McCormick's desperate dive.
The goal rocked the visitors into action. And Liverpool responded with forays down the wings through Wignall and Andy McCoy.
Gavin Deaville made two important saves for the Old Boys to maintain the advantage.
At the other end, Machin and Tony Mantle earned Old Boys a corner. But Steve Plant volleyed wide.
Plant continued to cause the Liverpool full-back Chandler problems with his speedy runs down the right. Captain Dan Hyde, who returned after five weeks on the sidelines, proved a steadying influence.
Before the break, Hyde found Rowe down the right, but the Old Boys player couldn't put his effort on target.
Barlow was the creative force behind many of the Liverpool attacks and it was an effort from him that brought a tremendous save from Deaville to keep the Old Boys in front as half-time approached.
Hyde found Thorley with a good ball on the stroke of half-time, but Thorley missed the target with his shot.
After the break, McCoy and Wignall created chances for Liverpool.
But both Edwin Ellis and Plant stuck to their tasks against the tricky wingers and did well.
Old Boys doubled their lead on 72 minutes.
Brett Barlow crossed from wide and Thorley headed what looked like a certain goal – only for McCormick to save brilliantly.
But the keeper couldn't clear sufficiently and Tony Mantle pounced on the loose ball to put the Old Boys two up.
The strike looked to have settled the match. But minutes later, Thorley was sent off to give Liverpool AFC hope.
Liverpool pushed forward with renewed vigour came but the 10 men defended stoutly against a barrage of attacks.
Jake McGarry came on for Machin and Luke Robinson replaced the tired legs of Rowe as Old Boys looked to protect their lead.
With two minutes of normal time remaining McCoy down the left weaved his way past Martin Firth and crossed for Ian Sheridan.
He then set up Andy Barlow, who slipped the ball past the diving Gavin Deaville.
But the strike proved to be just a consolation as Old Boys kept Liverpool out in eight minutes of time added on to chalk up a deserved victory.
LEEK CSOB: Deaville, Plant, Ellis, Barlow, Firth, Brindle, Thorley, Hyde, Rowe, Machin, Mantle. Subs: McGarry, Robinson, Dodd.
Attendance: 120.
Leek CSOB's Adam Brindle and Liverpool's Ian Johnson battle for the ball. Below: Steven Plant gets away from Martin Smeaton. Photos: CARA EDGINGTON
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