Spirited Blues Remain Resilient

 

(A) University of Leeds (19/10/2022)

Report by Fred Stewart

After a rigorous pre-season, Liverpool University Men’s First XI made their competitive season debut in the men’s Northern 1A League, against the University of Leeds. The newly promoted side come into the season full of vigor; not only achieving Champion status but keeping the core of the squad together. They came into today’s fixture looking to carry this momentum into the new season.

             

The pre-match team meeting made the intention’s clear: positive play will cause Leeds problems. This positivity was expressed chiefly by manager Jack Edwards: “We’re optimistic on how well we can do, we’ve kept a lot of the side we had last year, and we’ve obviously got some new players. […] It’s a fresh start in some ways, but it’s also trying to carry on from the work we did last season” serving as a timely reminder to the squad on the importance of building on a great 2021/22 season.

              The University of Leeds team pose a worthy adversary, with both teams sharing the spoils from their last meeting – a 1-1 draw in the Christie Cup, with Liverpool going on to win the tournament. The side in question play a direct style of football, using their physical striker as a focal point, with the wing backs in their 3-5-2 providing a dynamic threat. Edwards opted for a positive retort to this method, urging his team to adopt a ‘first thought forward’ mindset after possession had been recovered, looking to make use of their talent in attack. On the defensive side of the ball, Edwards told his back four to remain compact and disciplined, not allowing Leeds room to shift the point of attack, with the offensive players only instructed to press immediately after possession was lost, before slotting back into position.

              As Leeds got the game underway, it was evident Liverpool had taken their instructions on board. Lining up in a 4-3-3, they expectedly struggled to gain possession in the early going, considering the blustery conditions on away turf. This did not appear to worry the side, thanks to some staunch defending by the centre-back pairing of Timmins (4) and Howard (5). As Leeds increased their ball possession, so did their volume of long balls – none of which caused goalkeeper Pyper (1) any concern, who dominated his box with apparent ease.

              While the game progressed beyond the tenth minute, Liverpool grew into it. The team began to gain a larger portion of the ball and the link-up play began to flourish. Winger Jarvis (7) galvanized the team, with several surging runs stretching the Leeds defense. This period of good play didn’t result in Liverpool taking the lead but looked more confident both going forward and against the unending barrage of Leeds long-balls.

              On the stroke of half-time, Liverpool’s expansive style of play proved to be superior. It was Cogswell (8), battling away in the middle of the park, winning the ball and combining effortlessly with Jarvis and Mifsud (10) to penetrate the Leeds eighteen-yard box. After a moment where it looked as if the chance had passed them by, it was Jarvis who pounced on the loose ball and swept it beyond the flailing Leeds ‘keeper, 1-0. On his finish, Jarvis commented, “I just touched it, hit it and I can’t finish, so luckily it went in.” This humble reflection was lost on the viewers as they watched him wheel away in celebration (above).

              As the second half commenced, Liverpool again took on Edwards instructions to remain compact, conserving energy well and not allowing Leeds any gilt-edged opportunities. This appeared to frustrate the opposition and in the fifty-fourth minute, tensions boiled over after a Leeds attacker kicked out, resulting in a booking. It was only minutes after two players went down in the box after a high-speed clash, the outcome being a penalty to Leeds, which was subsequently converted. In the aftermath of what many felt was a questionable refereeing decision, Cogswell was sin-binned due to dissent.

              Despite this setback and numerical disadvantage, Liverpool were not deterred. They continued to defend in a dogged fashion and shut the door on any Leeds chances, while looking for every opportunity to break out. It was Brisdon (2), who performed brilliantly over this tough spell, keeping the tricky Leeds winger quiet with some disciplined defending. In the dying embers of the game, Pashias (6) made a final run down the left flank, cutting into the box only to be brought down by a clumsy challenge. This apparent stonewall penalty was waved away by the referee, sparking outrage from the Liverpool players.

              The game ended 1-1 after a period of sustained pressure from Leeds which Liverpool stood up to firmly. Despite picking up a point, Liverpool will feel like they deserved two in addition. Edwards maintains his positive attitude, stating, “it was a good team performance, […] we nullified the threat most of the time.” as well as “we created good opportunities, it was just the final ball and decision making in the final third that let us down.” A fair comment on an industrious Liverpool performance, one which they’ll have a chance to build on when they face Northumbia
at home in a weeks’ time.

Goals:

              Liverpool: Jarvis 44’

              Leeds: Pen 59’

Player of the Match: Sam Howard (5)

Yellow Cards: Cogswell (8), Timmins (4)

Substitutes: Edwards (14), Jones (15), Louvre (16)