Jarvis Sparks Jubilation as Blues March on in Cup

(H) University of Leeds

National University Cup (1^st Round)

KO 15:00

Report by Fred Stewart

A one-two punch of goals from Dan Lewis and Louis Jarvis completes a comeback after falling behind against The University of Leeds. Not only does this suggest a turnaround within the ninety minutes, but a noticeable improvement in the First XI’s mentality and execution in comparison to last week’s lacklustre performance in a 6-1 thrashing to Leeds Beckett.

      As the referee blew to get the game underway, Liverpool were clearly galvanized as a result of last week’s loss and started with their tails up. A delicious brand of flowing football was on show: the midfield trio of Toby Cogswell, Franki Pashias and Jack Ryan pulling the strings effortlessly as well as keeping an intelligent defensive balance. The early exchanges of the game reflected this, with Leeds controlling a minimal share of possession. A quarter of an hour in, Liverpool’s pressure began to exploit cracks in the Leeds defence: Cogswell combined with Lewis and winger Morgan Davage to escape the defenders’ clutches, with Davage’s subsequent effort being cleared off the line.

              In similar fashion to the teams latest meeting (a 1-1 draw at Weetwood), the away side did not crumble to the early pressure. As the game progressed beyond the twenty-fifth minute, Leeds began to see more of the ball and create better chances. A great ball in behind the back-four called them into action, with defensive stalwarts Jonathan Timmins and Sam Howard working hard to smother a pair of Leeds attempts. Undeterred, Leeds whipped in a stupendous ball from the following corner, with goalkeeper James Pyper only able cease the first attempt, before the rebound was tapped in from close range.

    Liverpool clearly felt wronged after not taking their early chances, so hit back immediately. A ball into wide-man Jarvis allowed him to cut into the box, with a moment of pinball football causing a clash with a Leeds defenders arm. The referee did not hesitate, blowing his whistle and pointing to the spot. The ice-cold Lewis stepped up to the plate, slotting the penalty home with composure and sparking the Liverpool comeback into life.

              Following the half-time break, Liverpool once again expressed their will to win. It was the repeated cutting in-field of wide man duo Davage and Jarvis who caused the Leeds defence a plethora of problems. The opposition goalkeeper must be commended in this passage of play, pulling off some great saves and refusing to wilt under pressure. At the other end of the field, Leeds showed a less creative approach, but a barrage of dangerous corner kicks lead to them coming close on several occasions. 

As the game wore into the final quarter, it remained on a knife edge. However, on the seventy-fifth minute, Liverpool’s pressure told, and they finally found results. A glorious ball in from Cogswell released Jarvis, who cut in past his dumbfounded opposite number, with the finish wrong footing the ‘keeper and nestling in the near corner for his third goal in as many games. On his finish, Jarvis commented: “I say to Toby: give me the ball and I’ll do the rest, if I try a different side, it’ll go in.” This intelligent change of approach worked to perfection, sparking pandemonium amongst the players and fans alike.

              This late goal appeared to light a fire under Leeds, with them creating many more chances towards the end of the game. Liverpool stood up to this superbly – causing Leeds to spurn the chances they created. They also looked to break on the counter, with striker Rio Gill being released to stroke the ball home in classy fashion. However, the linesman flagged for offside, cutting the celebrations short.

  Seconds later, Wyncote erupted as the supporters saw their team get their first win of the season, from which the team will look to build on. Manager Jack Edwards reflected on this resolve: “to bounce back the way that we did - in terms of how we played - and everything that’s been missing was there today, which we’re really happy with.” This turnaround in fortunes cannot be understated, but the team must maintain this momentum to ensure survival in Northern League 1A.

 

Final Score:

              University of Liverpool 2 – 1 University of Leeds

Goals:

              Liverpool: Lewis 35’, Jarvis 75’

              Leeds: 30’

Substitutes: Edmundson (12), Harper (13), Edwards (14), Gill (15), Langan (16)