(H) Newcastle University (01/02/2023)
National Cup Round of 16
Report by
Fred Stewart
For the first matchday of 2023, University of Liverpool Men’s First XI looked to start the New Year in positive fashion and improve on the previous rounds’ demolition of a strong Leeds University side. Thankfully for manager Jack Edwards, his side appears to have used the Christmas break wisely, sweeping Newcastle aside despite an early concession. This was helped by the in-form frontman James Harper, who’s stunning trio of goals helped his team over the line.
As the
game began, it soon became clear that the Wyncote Faithful were in for a
blistering afternoon of football. The conditions were the main factor behind
this, with a typical, swirling Merseyside bluster giving the flight of the ball
a turbulent unpredictability. Liverpool fell victim to this first following a
free-kick: the whipped-in ball appearing to stall in mid-air, catching goalkeeper
Alex Urbicki off-guard and allowing the Newcastle target man to steal in at the
near post and prod home. To Liverpool’s credit, this early concession seemed to
invigorate the back-four, who became noticeably more assured an organised
following this.
In the
period of play after this early goal, the game resumed in a cagier fashion,
with neither team afforded any big opportunities. Despite this, Liverpool began
to grow into the game and gained a larger slice of possession, working the ball
around efficiently. These encouraging signs began to manifest into chances, the
first of which came following a scything Morgan Davage run down the right-hand
side – a sight that is sure to give the Newcastle fullback nightmares for the foreseeable
future. Davage proceeded to win and whip-in a corner, which connected with
Jonathan Timmins head, but the centre-back was only able to steer the finish
inches beyond the upright, allowing the Newcastle goalkeeper to breathe a sigh
of relief.
From this moment, Liverpool got a tangible grip on the game’s proceedings, with the pressure telling in the twenty-ninth minute. Another dangerous Davage corner was placed onto James Harper’s cranium, with the number-nine making no mistake, rising highest and producing a thumping header to bring the game back to level-pegging. The remainder of the half featured more of the same Liverpool pressure, which Newcastle stood up well to, with the referee ending a tense end to the first half, sending the teams in level.
As the
second half got underway, the men in blue began to run riot. This started with
a succession of penalty shouts. Firstly, the dangerous Harper was sent through
on goal, with the entanglement of limbs providing no just cause to the referee,
who waved play on. Seconds after, a blistering Liverpool counter-attack led to
Davage being brought down in the box. This time, the referee left no doubt,
blowing instantly. The clinical Louis Jarvis was allowed to add to his already
impressive season tally, his penalty having too much force for the Newcastle
keeper, who thumped the ground in frustration.
Ten
minutes later, Harper was once again released into the final third and
responded by displaying what can only be described as an early contender for
the Puskas Award. The looping ball over the Newcastle backline was controlled superbly
by Harper, who chested the ball into his path, before deftly flicking the ball
over the dumbfounded Newcastle defenders and ‘keeper, wheeling away in
celebration before the ball even touched the net. Minutes later, Harper showed
his versatile finishing ability, after Jarvis teed him up the box, sweeping
home a smooth strike and sending the Wyncote Faithful into raptures. This not
only secured Harper the match ball, but also looked to remove any doubt from
the result of the game.
To
Newcastle’s credit, they showed their resolve in the later stages of the game
and won a penalty in the eighty-fourth minute, which their striker converted
with aplomb. However, Liverpool were able to defend their lead and are now into
the quarter finals of the national cup.
FULL TIME:
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Goals:
Liverpool: Harper 29', 66', 71', Jarvis 55' (p)
Newcastle: 5', 84' (p)
Substitutes:
Edwards, Watts, Jones, Lewis, Mifsud
Player of the Match:
Harper
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