AFC Liverpool manager Chris Anderson has called his side’s display against Burscough disappointing after their defeat.
The 10-men went in at half-time 5-2 down despite taking an early lead through Rhys Hardacre but a Declan Daniels hat-trick piled the misery on for AFC before Jonathan Croasdale was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
However, a spirited fight-back from the hosts saw the deficit slowly deplete in the second half as Anderson’s side pushed for a remarkable come-back through Callum Schorah and Declan Gallagher.
But it wasn’t to be as Paul Bowes’ side landed the hammer blow late on.
“When you’ve got time to reflect on the game, it’s all emotional, what you think, feel and see at the time so half time there was some chosen words but I was also pleased with our forward play, I thought our forwards played well throughout the whole 90, especially in the second half but in the first half they were always looking a threat, they were trying, doing what we expect.
“Unfortunately, defensively we were nowhere near it and that was probably the worst I’ve seen us play defensively, collectively but people have shown and taken ownership of it. They know they were nowhere near the standards. It’s frustrating because I had to make the change when I did the first half then the sub comes on within seven minutes is sent off so that’s heartbreaking.
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“We had to change the XI in the warm up, we had to change personnel, system and obviously that didn’t help defensive shape or organisation. But I still think we started as an attacking side really bright, we got the goal then obviously conceded straight away.
“We got one back to make it 5-2, half time words were said then second half couldn’t fault any of them really I thought they were unbelievable, it only looked like we were only going to get something from it, but they did do but at the very end where we’ve gone to get the draw.
“It was all us, we hit the post, we’ve had chance after chance, goalkeepers made a couple of good saves, got ourselves back into it but didn’t get that in the end. Overall, disappointing then also positives to take but can we have a 90 minute performance?
“People had bad games, that’s life, that happens, they’re North West Counties football players, they’re not pro and even pros have bad games and make mistakes so that’s going to happen.
“Obviously we want to limit the bad games people have or we have as a group but that happens. There’s a lot of positives to take from our forward play, especially the second half and because we were that relentless, defenders had a little break but it wasn’t a case of the forwards not doing the work in the first half which allowed our defence to be working hard or not doing their jobs or whatever.
“I think individual performances, as a collective unit, we weren’t at our best and everyone knows that.”
It’s a trip to Winsford next for AFC and Anderson is hoping his side can bounce back and get important points on the board.
“We need a win, we need to bounce back, it’ll be a tough place to go but it is what is, we’ve got deal with who we’re playing again. We’ve got to make sure we’re as good as we can be and get a good result.”
