The Robins Are Relient!

Wigan Robin Park 1 - 1 AFC Liverpool
Tuesday 31st March
Vodkat North West Counties League First Division
Robin Park Arena, Attendance: 298

The Robins were made to work hard for their point against AFC Liverpool, who like their more-well known cousins, grabbed a late equaliser at the Robin Park Arena.

A fantastic crowd of 298, for this level of football, watched on as the two promotion chasers played a first half that was very much like a chess game - neither one of the sides allowing the other any space. With the Robins trying to get the ball to their front men early, AFC preferred a more relaxed style of play by knocking the ball around. Despite a couple of crosses into the box, which Wigan keeper Jay Foulds dealt with easily, Liverpool didn’t really threaten. In fact it was Wigan who looked the most likely to score, with Whittle doing a fine job on the right-wing, cutting inside and causing the AFC defence all sorts of problems.

Half time pints were supped in the fine ‘Champions Bar’ across the road and it wasn’t long into the second half that we got that elusive breakthrough. Left-winger Sean White getting the final touch to what looked like a scrappy goal, but they all count! Wigan ere leading and the 150 or so AFC fans, who were moaning all game, rallied behind their team. Perhaps their moaning came from the fact that as Liverpool FC fans, they aren’t used to refereeing decisions going against them – I know we bloody are!

Just as Wigan were looking assured, Liverpool came up with a great passage of play around the box which Dave Eaton finished off with a drive into the corner. It was tough luck on the Wigan defence who had snuffed out most of the AFC chances and those that did get through - went over the bar.

It was all AFC now, roared on by their fickle fans ‘Attack Attack’ was their cry but with each shot that was blocked, the Robins started picking them off on the counter attack. It was in injury time that they had a couple of chances to win it but the AFC defenders threw themselves in front of the ball and a rather desperate shout for a penalty from the Robins fans was ignored.

1-1 was a fair result but it leaves the Robins with a bit of work to do if we want to finish in the top two. Bootle won again, so it seems they are champions in all but name. However, even if we don’t finish 2nd, there could be a light and the end of the tunnel. Apparently new league rules could mean that a few clubs in the Vodkat Premier could be relegated because they don’t have the required facilities at their grounds. With the Robin Park Arena, we’ll have no problem. It’s sad for clubs already up there and I would rather win promotion on merit, rather than on ‘how good the ground is’. Let’s hope we do!

Next up for The Robins is Stone at home on Saturday.