League Winners!

 

UOL Men’s first team knocked out of the cup in the quarterfinals, Lancaster University through to the semi-finals.

 

09/02/2022, Lancaster University Sports Grounds:

University of Liverpool’s first team were looking to get through to the semi-finals of the cup today against Lancaster. Having lost earlier in the season against the same team UOLFC were highly determined to avenge this loss and further their chances of additional silverware this season.

The first game earlier this season saw UOL lose 4-2 with Lancaster applying a very high press early in the game. Added injuries and key players being unavailable in the first game were some of the mitigating factors in the first game that weren’t an issue today which gave Coach Jack Edwards more optimism before the game.

1^st Half:

Louis Jarvis got the first real chance of the game in the 4^th minute. Liverpool looked much more composed on the ball than Lancaster in the early game.

Liverpool got the better phases of play in the first half, but just needed to release the ball a little quicker due to the pitch being heavy and the ball getting stuck on the surface. It was difficult to dribble with the ball on such a surface.

In the first half especially, Lancaster struggled with their passing, the passing accuracy being way off.

James Harper used his physicality well to hold up the play up front.

In the 14^th minute, Liverpool sustained a good attacking play in the Lancaster half which ended up with a big chance for Toby Cogswell to score inside the box, but he saw his shot go over the goal.

Jono Timmins put in a crucial tackle in the 18^th minute to keep his team level after a dangerous through ball from Lancaster.

Lancaster earned themselves a dangerous free kick outside the box in the 27^th minute. The Lancaster striker shot low and hard, but Keeper James Piper got down quick for a good save.

Dan Heald got a big chance when he headered a corner kick towards goal, the Lancaster keeper was beat but the ball needed only a slight a deflection from James Harper to go in but he just couldn’t get a touch on it.

After what was a solid first half for Liverpool which were a lot more composed than Lancaster on the ball, Lancaster scored a goal from a corner in the 44^th minute of the first half, clean header into the back  of the net.

1-0 Lancaster

 

2^nd Half:

One of the best chances in the game for Liverpool came in the 51^st minute when Dan Lewis played a ball into James Harper who flicked the ball into space for a one on one with the Lancaster keeper, James got a slight touch on the ball, but the Lancaster keeper came out quick and strong to successfully catch the shot.

 

In the 54^th minute, Lancaster had a dangerous counterattack resulting in their striker being one on one with Jono Timmins, the striker chose to shoot early but saw his shot go wide.

Jono Timmins was very vocal throughout the game leading and motivating his teammates.

59^th minute, substitution: Mauro Junior on for Dan Lewis.

As the second half evolved, Liverpool started playing more direct long balls into their forwards.

Liverpool were unlucky to not get a penalty in the 70^th minute when Toby Cogswell was brought down in the penalty area.

71^st minute, substitution: Theo Hayford on for Franki Pashias and Matt Molynuex on for Toby Cogswell.

Lancaster scored a second goal in the 74^th minute after a quick counterattack play on Liverpool’s left hand side.

2-0 to Lancaster, 20 minutes to go.

Theo Hayford put in a good shot from outside the box in the 80^th minute, it was a good chance to reduce the score, but the shot went wide.

The game got sloppy thereafter with Liverpool losing their shape as they pushed for a goal.

Louis Jarvis scored in the 91^st minute with a header from close range.

Just a second later Lucas Katchburian had to come off injured after a big collision with a Lancaster player.

The free kick that followed was the ultimate chance to equalize but unfortunately Liverpool weren’t able to capitalize on it.

 

The referee blew the final whistle seconds later and the game ended 2-1 to Lancaster

 

It was a game of two halves today really with Liverpool dominating the first half and Lancaster performing better in the second half.

Difficult result to accept for the boys tonight, getting knocked out in the cup. All focus is now on the league with the title still within reach for UOL men’s first.

 

Post-match Interview:

UOL Men’s 1^st play next week against Lancaster again but in the league this time for their second last game in the league as they push for the BUCS northern tier 2 title and promotion.

 

 

Finn McGinley