Saturday Intermediate Cup 2018

AFC Kirkby Score Four to Lift Saturday Intermediate Cup

by Bronnie Jones

AFC Kirkby became Liverpool County FA Saturday Intermediate Cup winners after a convincing victory over Norris Green Baptist Church.

In the end Kirkby stormed to a 4-1 win over their rivals. Connor Stockwell, Adam Stephenson, Phil Redmond and Jake Fitzsimmons provided the goals for the new holders. Steven Graney scored Norris Green’s solitary goal.

It was a quick start for Kirkby who broke the deadlock after just eight minutes. Norris Green had a corner in their attacking half of the pitch only for Kirkby to steal possession from them and go on the counter. Craig Callaghan then put a cross into the box and Redmond headed it into the back of the net.

They weren’t ahead for long though.

10 minutes later the Kirkby goalkeeper fouled Gerard Dodan in the box and referee Kenny Jones awarded them a penalty. Graney struck the ball coolly into the bottom right corner of the goal.

The rest of the first half went by and both teams looked dangerous with possession being very much 50/50.

As the next 45 minutes kicked off, Kirkby started off strong and looked as if they were after the winner. 

Just before the 70th minute mark they had a corner on the right; it was crossed in but hit away from goal. Fitzsimmons got his foot to it 25 yards out and hit a terrific strike to put Kirkby 2-1 ahead.

Kirkby were now on a high and looking to close the game once and for all. A further 10 minutes later Kirkby had a free-kick awarded in their own 18-yard box. It was hit superbly right up to the other end of the pitch to Stockwell.

Stockwell went through the defence on the right and had a go from 25 yards out. It was a fantastic strike that went straight past the Norris Green goalkeeper. Kirkby looked on the ascendency as they increased their lead to 3-1.

The scoring didn’t stop there. Five minutes from full-time, Kirkby made it four. Norris Green had a corner and their goalkeeper had run up the pitch to try salvage another goal. However, Kirkby countered, and Stephenson got to the goal quicker than the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an open net.

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