University of Liverpool Men’s 1st 6 points clear at the top of the table.

 

01/12/2021, Wyncote Sports grounds:

 

It was a cold afternoon today at Wyncote where UoL’s first team took on Edgehill University. Before the match Edgehill were second in the league and UOLFC first in the league, with a three-point lead. Today’s win meant that UOLFC solidified their first position with a six-point lead over Salford (2^nd), Edge Hill (3^rd) and Chester (4^th).

 

First half:

Edge Hill started the game with intensity and remained aggressive throughout the game. However, this aggressivity was exercise at times which led Edge Hill to receive multiple bookings and one sending-off later in the game. This aggressivity started early in the game when in the 12^th minute, Theo Hayford got fouled right on the edge of Edge Hill’s box after UOLFC intercepted a sloppy pass from Edge Hill.

Edge Hill was well organised in set pieces as highlighted by a corner in the 16^th minute where they implemented a combination, they had obviously worked on in training which saw one of their player head the ball just over the goal from close range.

Toby Cogswell nearly opened the mark in the 18^th minute on a counterattack after taking a good first touch to set himself up for a run-on goal and ultimately a shot which went wide.

In the first half, both teams struggled to get their foot on the ball and both teams were often getting dispossessed. However, the manager Jack Edwards will be happy with how his players reacted as soon as they lost the ball by stayed concentrated and quickly regaining possession or closing down the opponent.

In the 30^th minute, Theo Hayford triggered a good counterattack with a back heel pass towards his teammate who put in a cross for Louis Jarvis. Unfortunately, the Edge Hill keeper got to the cross first.

Three minute later, in the 33^rd minute, Joe Ctori triggered another attack with some good dribbling which led to Louis Jarvis taking a shot on goal.

In the 37^th minute, one of the Edge Hill players unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box which was headed straight for top bins if it wasn’t for the keeper Connor Gillespie who kept his team in the game with a beautiful diving save to deflect the ball onto the crossbar and out of danger.

UOLFC scored the first goal of the game in the 43^rd minute after Joe Ctori put in a long cross towards the back post, Toby Cogswell received the cross and chested the ball in the goal.

1-0   to UOLFC.

The final play of the first half saw Edge Hill take multiple shots on goal after a little scramble in the UOLFC box but the score remained 1-0 to UOLFC at half time.

 

 

Second half:

Edge Hill got the clearer chances in the early second half, but UOLFC responded in the 59^th minute with a goal. Dan lewis who was today’s man of the match made a good initial pass to Louis Jarvis who used his strength in the box to hold up the ball and make a short pass to Dan Lewis who slotted the ball in the back of the net.

2-0 to UOLFC.

Connor Gillespie made another great save in the 60^th minute by getting to the ground fast to parry a low shot from Edge Hill.

Shortly after, Edge Hill eventually scored after a very nice shot low to the ground.

2-1.

Jack Edwards, the first team coach made some tactical changes in the second half and decided to go with 5 players at the back to neutralize some of Edge Hill’s strengths.

Edge Hill nearly equalized in the 68^th minute after one of their players made a deep cross towards a runner who attacked the ball at speed and fired a powerful shot which went just over the bar.

Three minutes later, Joe Ctori scored for UOLFC after a great run by Dan Lewis who made an excellent pass for Joe who fired a powerful shot which bounced off the keeper and into goal.

3-1 UOLFC

UOLFC scored the final goal of the game in the 75^th minute after another great assist by Dan Lewis who slotted in a precise through pass into Louis Jarvis’ run who comfortably tapped the ball in the back of the net.

4-1 to UOLFC

Edge Hill saw one of their players sent off in the 84^th minute after conceding a second yellow for a dangerous foul Theo Hayford.

 

 

Post-match interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0vlNZ1l67E&ab_channel=FinnMcginley1

 

It was a comfortable win for UOLFC today who remained concentrated throughout the entire game and managed to dominate the second half. Edge Hill were full of talent and determination and their players showed some good technical ability on the ball, but it seemed like they lacked a clear gameplan, discipline and focus for a full 90 minutes.

UOLFC are back in action next week away against Salford in the league.

 

Finn McGinley