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PREVIEW | Liversedge (A)


Matt Chatfield hopes his side can return to winning ways after last weekend's defeat to Bottesford Town.


A disappointing Saturday afternoon brought AFC's home winning streak of three league games to a sorry end last time out - they now set their sights on a first away win of their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division campaign.


They'll be hosted by the league's form team, Liversedge, who were 4-2 victors in their last meeting at the Forest Town Arena back in September.


Kick-off at the Clayborn Ground will be 3pm.

 

Last Time Out


After comfortably beating Garforth with a convincing 3-0 midweek win, AFC were hoping to come out on top of a bottom-of-the-table clash and avenge a 5-0 defeat to Bottesford earlier in the season.


It wasn't to be, however, as whilst Grant Ryan missed two clear-cut chances to edge the Bulls ahead, Jacob Fenton tucked home from a tight angle on the stroke of half-time.


Miscommunication between Tom Slone and 'keeper Hugo Warhurst then allowed Dayle Hutson to lob the AFC stopper and double the visitors' lead via the woodwork, before Ross Duggan picked out Michal Antkowiak's bottom corner from 30 yards to bring the hosts back into the tie in emphatic style.


But late sin bins for Duggan and team mate Morgan James staggered their assault on the Bottesford net, and the Poachers were able to cling onto an important three points.

 

The Opposition


As the division's in-form side, Liversedge have won five from their last six league outings.


The recent hot stint has allowed Sedge to stake a firm claim for one of the NCEL Premier Division's three promotion spots to the Northern Premier League, and they could make their goal a reality if they take advantage of games-in-hand over second and third-placed sides Penistone and Yorkshire Amateur.


Former Bulls striker Ollie Fearon, who spent two spells with AFC, caused Matt Chatfield's men plenty of grief in a game full of chances for both sides and one which was ultimately won by the visitors to the Forest Town Arena.


Fearon punished a Hugo Warhurst error before Joe Walton's very late hat-trick helped Sedge to a hard-fought three points despite goals from Ross Duggan and Luke Walker.

 

Team News


Skipper Phil Buxton will continue to sit on the sidelines after commencing his three-match suspension in last weekend's defeat - the midfielder hopes to be available for next weekend's relegation derby against bottom side Athersley Recreation.


Striker Luke Walker also misses out on Saturday's visit to Liversedge, but the Bulls gaffer has the remainder of his strike force available for selection.

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