It was back to business for UCLan’s football 1st team as they managed a slightly edgy 3-1 win against a strong Liverpool 1st team
Before the kick off both sides knew that a win would significantly increase their chances of winning the league and maintain bragging rights.
This had all the ingredients for a high quality match and it did not disappoint.
UCLan started sluggishly, using the long ball from goalkeeper Tom Bailey and they struggled to breach the defence of Liverpool. Captain and striker Ross Herridge did well to win headers which needed to be gambled on, and within 15 minutes UCLan were punished and Liverpool took the lead.
A right footed pass from the right hand side across the box left Liverpool’s striker with not much to do as he smashed it in to an almost empty net.
Good shot stopping saves from Bailey kept the home side in the game as Liverpool looked to press on in search of a second goal
Antony Fallon and Zach Clarke seemed to be the danger men for UCLan as balls were constantly being fed to the wide men
It did not take long before chances were being made at both ends. Just on the stroke of half time the ball was slid into the open net by Herridge, only to be deemed offside. The goal would have been a morale booster for UCLan, but it seemed they did not need it as coach Dene Whittal-Williams gave what seemed an inspirational team talk
In the second half UCLan looked a different side, they played more narrow allowing even more room from the wingers and it appeared to pay off. A sublime through pass from Fallon left Clarke with only the goalkeeper to beat as he easily took it round him and passed it into the empty net. The player from Partnership college Myerscough deserved a goal and the fight back appeared to be on for UCLan.
Liverpool appeared to take the goal badly as they looked nervous on the ball as Herridge and Craig Wood created more chances from the front.
And it was sheer perseverance from Fallon to create the second goal, the winger closing down the defender forcing a deflection into the top left hand corner. It was not the prettiest goal of the day but certainly the most vital one.
Whittal-Williams made changes towards the end, bringing on Liam Macmillan and James McGory to some effect. Just before the end of the game McGory was left with a one on one opportunity which he rarely misses as he tucked away his chance low into the bottom right hand corner. 3-1 seemed a fair result for UCLan.
Whittal Williams said after the game: “Liverpool started the game the better team, looking stronger, got the ball down well and were dangerous from set pieces.
“When we started to play narrow, it allowed Zach to get forward on the wings and they ended up falling beneath their own sword
“I’m really happy with the result and we’re looking forward to the next game against Cumbria in the cup”
