Goulding under a cloud after own goal tips balance

Sep 8 2008 by Staff Copytaker, Liverpool Daily Post

THE weather won the day as torrential rain wrecked the Vodkat League programme.

Only two of the area’s sides survived to play league games and both probably wished they had not bothered.

The dreaded Manager of the Month curse struck Derek Goulding with AFC Liverpool sliding to their first defeat of the season against newcomers Wigan Robin Park, who jumped into second place immediately behind their hosts following a 2-1 victory.

After receiving the honour for August, it was business as usual for Goulding’s charges when they looked to have opened the scoring, but the effort was disallowed.

Instead the visitors chalked up the opening goal on the hour mark when Ben Kay sent home goalkeeper Terry McCormick the wrong way from the penalty spot. The lead, however, was short-lived when leading goalscorer Dean Thurston pulled the sides level. Liverpool lay siege to the Park’s goal, but a bizarre Dave Eaton own goal settled the game in the visitors’ favour.

Formby travelled to Manchester and opened the scoring at Maine Road after 19 minutes through Adam Bishop. The hosts soon rallied and struck three times in nine minutes through Luke Mack, Mark Rogers and Steve Cheetham to establish a 3-1 interval lead. The weather conditions took their toll in the second half with both sides tiring but despite Liam Caddick reducing the arrears, the Squirrels slid to a disappointing 3-2 defeat.

Premier Div: Abbey Hey 2 Nelson 3; Maine Road 3 Formby 2.

Div One: AFC Liverpool 1 Wigan Robin Park 2.

FA Vase First Qualifying Rnd: Flixton 0 Congleton Tn 2; Gedling Miners Welfare 1 Norton United 2; Glossop North End 5 Sporting Khalas 0; New Mills 6 Wolverhampton Casuals 0; Penrith Town 2 Atherton LR 1 (aet).

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