AFC Liverpool won a thrilling cup-tie against Alsager Town by again showing the never say die attitude that has been evident most of the season. This must be very encouraging for Derek Goulding to know that his young team will keep going until the end and this match had a very long ending.
Despite taking the lead in the 24th minute through David Ojapah's eighth goal of the season when the keeper spilt a shot the Reds could never gain control over their visitors.
Alsager were certainly spurred on by this goal and immediately started giving their hosts some problems to deal with especially when the skillful Tulloch had possession. It was no surprise when the visitors equalised in the 42nd minute when Tulloch struck a shot from the edge of the area however the way AFC Liverpool gave away the ball was worrying for their supporters.
Disappointingly this pattern continued and within seven minutes of the second half when the ball was again given away cheaply and Tulloch scored again. It was now up to the Reds to rise to the challenge or face a cup exit; thankfully for them time was on their side.
The red midfield began to get the upper hand against their counterparts and started creating chances for Ojapah and Giwa. On one such occasion Giwa was sent through on goal to be brought crashing down by two desperate tackles for what looked like a certain penalty however the officials disagreed and waved play on. This was one of the last pieces of action for Giwa as he was substituted shortly afterwards when manager Goulding decided to shuffle the team. Kennedy was pushed into attack and substitute Evans came into midfield for his return from several weeks absence through injury.
The changes brought the required more balanced effect as the home team started dominating even more; Alsager now had two wide players to contend with in Evans and Wignall and the equaliser came in the 71st minute when Kennedy coolly slotted home after fine build up play and pass from Corris.
Despite possession and seemingly every AFC Liverpool player now in attack mode they could not find the winner; a marvelous save by the visiting keeper from a Wignall shot was the highlight in normal time so the extra half hour was required.
From the start of extra time the reds went into attack and were rewarded by a Mark Bloxam winner late in the first half. The centre half is certainly in brilliant match winning form at the moment to add to his strengths as a defender; he has a personal duel with colleague Liam Coyne at present for most goals. However Coyne's best moment came at the death when he fantastically hooked away a certain equaliser for Alsager.
The reds will now meet higher league opposition again in round three as the draw has given them an away tie with Glossop Town.
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