Litherland REMYCA FC

 A post Christmas trip to merseyside, not to Anfield for Liverpool vs Wolves, but to Litherland Sports Park for Litherland vs AFC Liverpool. AFC are the scouse equivalent of FCUM, the fans breakaway club formed in protest at everything that is wrong with modern football at the top level. Both teams are having tough seasons, Litherland are rock bottom, rooted on 7pts, ironically I witnessed one of those points on the opening day for a tepid 0-0 draw on the Isle of Man. Things didn't get any better after that game for me either, with our ferry cancelled we had to book a last minute logan air flight to get back to the mainland. Anyway back on to topic, AFC Liverpool are not fairing much better down in 20th position albeit with a much healthier points tally than the bottom two and they should have enough to stay in the division this season but for a colossal run of form from either Litherland or City of Liverpool and a complete collapse from themselves.


Onto the game and I don't think there was one player started this game for Litherland that played in the opener at Isle of Man, the main man in midfield John Osifo I think has left for South Liverpool and I don't know where the others have gone, I'll look at the stats and check that one. (there were in fact 3 squad members remaining for Litherland from the opening day, the goalkeeper Patrick Mcloughlin, number 11 Lewis Sinnott and centre back Harry Middlehurst) You could see they were a side with confidence at rock bottom, they held out well for a good while but conceded two soft penalty box goals in the first half, they had a flurry of set pieces too towards the end of the half as they looked for a response but when your luck is out it's out and nothing came of anything, 0-2 at the break. Second half Litherland came out with more purpose from the off, some tactical tweaks from the manager were paying dividends but amongst other chances the number 9 missed an absolute sitter, it wasn't to be, AFC Liverpool went up the other end, the keeper fumbled the ball and an easy finish made it 0-3. Almost straight from the off Litherland got a consolation, a beautifully taken lob type shot with the defenders left pleading for offside 1-3. That was an end to the goals and the action really, the game just petered out, not finishing until 5pm, it amazes me every time where we lose 15 minutes from as there didn't seem to be many stoppages in play. It left me with a race against time to get back to Lime Street for my train but I managed comfortably in the end.


The ground reminds me of South Leeds FC and the John Charles stadium albeit without any actual stands. You enter through a communal reception area, pay at a window and are greeted with the pitch in the distance, in between is a quite significant running track so you are a fair way away from the action. There's a portakabin with seats and tables and a couple of tvs showing sky sports and pies, hot and cold drinks and alcohol are available. Sadly no club shop or merchandise anywhere so the hunt for the obligatory pin badge will continue, anyone have one? Let me know! The weather was baltic with a cold wind probably coming off the sea, so two cups of tea were the order of the day at kick off and at half time. However at full time the 1.8 mile walk back to Seaford and Litherland train station certainly warmed me up. Attendance was 101, not bad considering the form of both sides and the fact Liverpool were at home but a shame they couldn't get a bumper crowd for the Christmas game. Food wise I had time earlier in Manchester for my usual bacon and egg sarnie from the arndale market and for lunch I was delighted to see Roast have opened in Liverpools St John Centre, so salt and pepper chicken and chips awaited, I was torn between that or their local offering of scouse. 


Apparently there are buses from Moorfields Station or Dale Street in the city centre that will take you to near the ground, however if like me you prefer the mersey rail, be prepared to wear your hiking boots as its a fair old trek, nearly 2 miles, although mostly flat.


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