AFC Liverpool (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 19

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• Saturday 2nd November 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm, please arrive early to avoid queuing or delays
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Pay on the gate with cash or card, or buy in advance via Shocal
  • £7 adults
  • £5 students / 60+ / 16 and under
  • Free for 12 year olds and under
• Dogs welcome
• Food and drink available throughout the ground
• Burritos from WrapScallion

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Preview

For the second Saturday running, Brookburn Road will stage a meeting between the division's 6th and 7th placed sides. West will be hoping to replicate what they did last weekend too, which was to respond to a disappointing midweek showing by bouncing back emphatically against strong Merseyside opposition.

This Saturday however it is West who have the upper hand in the table as they host an AFC Liverpool side who are one place and one point below them. The 'non-league Reds' have played two more league games than West and are going through a mixed run of form. During the course of the last six games they have been eliminated by two Step 6 sides in separate cup competitions; they have come from behind late on to rescue 2-1 wins against Abbey Hey and Pilkington; and they have also lost narrowly to high-flying Ramsbottom United and Pilkington.

The thing that stands out most when looking at AFC Liverpool's form is the amount of goals that are scored in their games. Despite sitting just two points outside the playoff places, there are only four teams in the division who have conceded more than the 43 goals shipped by the Reds over their 20 league games. They do however have one of the better goalscoring records in the league, thanks in no small part to forward Elliot Taylor who has scored 16 in 18 league appearances. He is the division's second highest scorer and has bagged three in his last two league outings.

Only FC Isle of Man and Chadderton have won more than the six away games that AFC Liverpool have done so far this season, and they have somehow only drawn one match anywhere this season, which is unsurprisingly the fewest in the division.

West will continue to be without Victor Abadaki as his suspension covers both this game and the trip to Squires Gate on Tuesday, and Tom Murray will also sit this one out after reaching five yellows last weekend. Cameron Darkwah returns after missing the trip to Prestwich for the same reason, while Jimmy Moore's suspension following his red card at Prestwich Heys in the week does not start until Tuesday. 

West's current run has already broken the club record for consecutive home league wins (previously 5). A win on Saturday would be the 7th in that run.

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AFC Liverpool At A Glance

Home colours: All red
Change colours: All grey
Travelling distance: 41 miles
2023/24 position: 14th, NWCFL Premier
2023/24 average attendance: 185

Affordable Football Club Liverpool were formed in 2008 by folk musician Alun Parry as an alternative option for Liverpool FC fans who could not afford or could no longer access tickets at Anfield.

The idea seemed to resonate in particular with Liverpool fans that had grown disillusioned by their club’s ownership, and AFC Liverpool had over 1000 paid members within the first year of establishing themselves in the North West Counties Division Two.

That said, its founders were clear that the club was not a protest vehicle akin to neighbours FC United of Manchester, and that they hoped to maintain positive links with Liverpool FC.

AFC Liverpool initially ground-shared with Prescot Cables at Valerie Park and moved in with Marine at the Marine Travel Arena for the start of the 2014/15 season. They have played at this stadium ever since and have been in the North West Counties Premier Division since their promotion in 2021.

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Form Guide

West
Position: 6th
Form position: 3rd
Home position: 2nd
Last six overall: DWLWWW
Last six home: WWWWWD

AFC Liverpool
Position: 7th
Form position: 16th
Away position: 6th
Last six overall: LWWLLL
Last six away: LWLLLL

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Head to Head

Overall:
P17 W3 D3 L11 F32 A43

At Brookburn Road:
P9 W1 D2 L6 F12 A21

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Past Meetings

West have a curiously poor record against AFC Liverpool. Of the 17 meetings in the Counties era, West have won just three and only one of those came on home turf - a 3-0 win in February 2023 courtesy of goals from Darren McKnight, Markell Foulds and Rhain Davis. 

Last season's encounter at Brookburn Road was regrettably marred by a serious injury to visiting player Dan Shearwood. That injury in the opening minutes caused the match to be delayed by almost an hour but the Reds ran out as 3-2 winners on a blisteringly hot September afternoon .

You can read the report from that match, which was played in front of a crowd of nearly 1200, here.

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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.

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Directions

We encourage supporters to use public transport, cycle or walk if possible. 

By car:

There is no parking available at the ground for supporters, except for pre-booked disability access.

Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP.

Disability spaces must be accessed no later than one hour before kickoff and all vehicles will be unable to exit until 15 minutes after the final whistle to ensure the safety of all supporters leaving the stadium.

There is additional public car parking on Chorlton Ees opposite The Bowling Green pub, who are also allowing supporters to use the pub car park, but there is little other on-street parking.

Please also note that there is no parking available on Brookburn Road itself, nor the surrounding Chorltonville area, as they are privately maintained, exclusively for the use of residents.

By public transport:

The Step Places Stadium is one mile from Chorlton Metrolink station, on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines. Follow Google Maps directions to find your way to the ground.

If you are travelling from outside the Greater Manchester area, the Metrolink network can be accessed from any of Manchester’s central train stations. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for tram times and more information.

By cycle:

The Step Places Stadium is a perfect location for those who cycle, being located next to the River Mersey, Sale Ees and only a few minutes away from the Fallowfield Cycle Loop. We have secure bicycle racks inside the ground to lock up your bike throughout the game. Please ask a volunteer if you need assistance.

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Prohibited items

Bringing pyrotechnics, drums/instruments and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.