Rio Gill Haul seals victory for University of Liverpool FC men’s 1st

 

Rio Gill Haul seals victory for University of Liverpool FC men’s 1st

 

03/11/2021, Wyncote Sports Grounds:

                                                                                          

 

The University of Liverpool men’s first team were looking to get back on track this week after coming off a loss in their last league match against Lancaster two weeks ago.

UoL put in a great team performance and showed great resilience and togetherness to come back from being 2-3 down to win 5-3. Rio Gil who was today’s man of the match scored 4 goals today in his debut with the 1^st team.

The two centre backs, Dan Heald and Luke Jones were very involved in the game and were on the ball a lot, looking to dictate the pace of the game. Their teammates were also brave enough to show great movement off the ball so that they would constantly have a passing option throughout the entire game.

1^st Half:

UoL started the game strong and immediately played with possession while the Salford team setup deep with a weak press. UoL looked much more comfortable on the ball than Salford, who despite having some good individual players, lacked chemistry to consistently create danger. Salford was only able to create danger in short bursts.

Rio Gill opened the mark in the 5^th minute after great passage of play between Louis Jarvis and Theo Hayford.  

1-0 to UoL

It was clear how much UoL worked on playing out from the back when in the 12^th minute, 3 of the back 4 players (Luke Jones, Dan Heald and Joe Ctori) got a touch on the ball right before triggering a dangerous attack on the left-hand side finalised by Louis Jarvis who opened up the Salford defence but couldn’t find the right timing to get a shot in.

A few minutes later, Louis would make sure he got his away when Theo Hayford scooped up the ball in a dangerous area, Louis hit the ball right on the volley to score a splendid goal, the Salford keeper couldn’t do anything about it.

2-0 to UoL!

In the 24th minute, Salford were awarded with a controversial penalty despite Franki Pashias being blatantly fouled seconds leading up to the penalty. The referee didn’t see it that way and gave Salford a penalty seconds later in which they scored.

Salford scored the equalizer in the 30^th minute to get back to 2-2 with a longshot from outside the box. The rest of the Half saw Salford gain momentum and push for a third goal.

Theo Hayford nearly scored a diving header for UoL in the 37^th minutes but 3 minutes after, Salford scored from a direct free kick to make it 2-3.

UoL were lucky not to concede a penalty in the final minute of the first half which would’ve made things much harder going into the second half.

 

2^nd Half:

UoL started the second half 2-3 down despite playing the better football and creating the better chances. It seemed like UoL were cursed when Salford nearly scored from a corner after a Salford player headered the ball towards an empty goal, however the UoL defence miraculously cleared it off the line. On the subsequent counterattack, Louis Jarvis timed a perfect ball for Rio Gill who put in a powerful strike to equalize.

3-3!

This time the momentum shifted back in UoL’s favour, and this would last for the entire match with UoL creating multiple chances as epitomized by Dan Lewis who hit the crossbar twice in the second half, one of which was a stunning shot from the middle of the pitch which may have potentially crossed the line, but the referee didn’t award the goal. Unfortunately, the Astro on Wyncote Sports Ground isn’t equipped with Goal line technology yet, but it could’ve been a goal.

Dan Lewis shined in the 2^nd half, he made a great run for the fourth goal, outpaced the Salford defender and pulled it back to Rio Gill for an easy tap in.

4-3 UoL (Rio hat-trick)

In the 72^nd minute, Tim Davidson (who put in two fantastic old school tackles in the game) picked out a superb long pass just in behind Salford’s left back, Dan Lewis received the ball on the right and put in a cross for Rio Gill at the back post who calmly headed it in.

5-3 to UoL!

UoL remained in control for most of the game from then on with Salford losing their shape and their calm. This played into UoL’s hands who cruised their way to victory from then on.

 

It was a deserved win for University of Liverpool men’s 1^st today who played some amazing football and created constant danger throughout the game. Coach Jack Edwards will be happy with the result but a little concerned with conceding 3 goals in 15 minutes and will be looking for the team to concede less goals in the upcoming games.

Salford had some good individual players, but UoL were much better organized on the night and earned a well-deserved three points.

 Post-match interview with Rio Gill (MOTM) and Louis Jarvis: 

https://youtu.be/LoWYCDBCJ4A

UOL Men’s 1^st next game is in the Men’s Northern Conference Cup next Wednesday against a team TBA.

 

 

Finn McGinley