AFC Liverpool boss Matt Potter was left delighted as they made a 100 per cent start to the season.
The Non League Reds survived an early scare from Squires Gate to win 4-1 on the opening day before they stood firm to beat Irlam 2-0 in their first home match of the season.
It proved to be the perfect start for Potter, who was promoted to the manager’s position after spending time as Chris Anderson’s number two prior to his move to Chorley.
Tom Douglas and Billy McCarthy have been integral to the 100 per cent record after scoring twice in as many games.
Speaking to Off The Park, Potter was pleased with the start: “I’m ecstatic, when people start the season they want to get those points on the board.
“If you get a couple of games where you don’t you’re kind of looking over your shoulder and start to ask a lot of questions then confidence is low. To get maximum points from the first two is what we wanted and what we dreamt of.”
Already in his two matches as manager Potter has suffered difficult moments, including the early deficit against Squires Gate. But with the results and different types of performances that have been needed to pick up maximum points, the AFC Liverpool manager has been pleased.
He said: “They scored in the first few minutes and your plans just go out the window. I was speaking in the week about how we wanted to play but obviously going a goal behind makes it difficult.
“But the character they shown to come back to win 4-1, it’s one where you want to take the lead all the time and sometimes it doesn’t go for you but looking at it now, we’ve not conceded since the first two minutes of that game.
“We asked the lads to be secure defensively, tight in what we do to give us a good platform in what we do going forward they’ve shown that in both matches – with the exception of the first two minutes (vs Squires Gate). With the time added on with five subs, we’ve gone 120 minutes without conceding in those two games which is pleasing and the goals are starting to come as well.”
This weekend AFC Liverpool travel to Trafford for their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round clash.
On the meeting, Potter added: “It helps us go into Saturday with the FA Cup it means we’re not worrying about the league and we can go into the game with a free mind. It’s going to be tough at the same time, they’re the league above.
“I read somewhere they’ve never lost in this round, they’ll be up for it and fancy themselves but it’s one we can go into with no fear. It’s the FA Cup, everyone wants to take part and be there. You get a variety where you play teams you don’t normally play against every week.
“It’s a test of unfamiliar water and territories, not sure if AFC have ever played Trafford before but they watched us against Irlam so they’ve done their homework, they’ll come into it quite fresh. They’ll be favourites for it but for us, it’s about going in and making the lads aware they can play with a bit of freedom and we’ll see what happens on the day.”
The winner will play Runcorn Linnets in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.
[Featured Image: Dave Williams]
