University of Liverpool First XI 4-1 LJMU First XI
Varsity Game
(12/03/2023)
KO: 14:00
Report by
Fred Stewart
For the
first time this season, The University of Liverpool 1st XI had two
games in the space of a week: responding to the challenge by thrashing local
rivals John Moore’s in the main event of Varsity 2023. Within the game, the 1’s
dominated in almost every area of the field: dealing well with pressure, playing
expansive attacking football, and giving the capacity crowd ninety-minutes to
remember. This win continues their electric form since the turn of the year, providing
them with momentum going into next week’s must-win clash.
As the game began, it soon
became clear that the crowd – who had turned out in their droves – would be
treated to ninety minutes of spectacular football. As John Moore’s got the game
underway, they started the stronger of the two: rattling Alex Urbicki’s post
from a low free kick. However, this did not last long, and they could not gain
an edge. Soon after, the 1’s began to show their talent going forward. In the
first instance of this, number nine Daniel Lewis chased down a menacing long ball,
winning it out of the goalkeeper’s grasp and finishing uncontested. However,
the referee adjudged the ‘keeper to have been in control of the ball – bringing
it back for a LJMU free kick.
Undeterred, this warning shot soon
manifested into the opener: when John Moore’s nemesis Louis Jarvis replicated
Lewis’ attempts, stealing into the eighteen-yard box, latching onto the ball,
and finishing with aplomb. All eyes then went on the official – who signalled for
a goal and sparked celebration from the home support.
For the remainder of the first half,
the 1’s looked to remain solid defensively and preserve their slight lead. This
was not made easy by the opposition, who sensed a greater freedom in the
midfield and began to create chances. In particular, a John Moore’s striker was
set free from the back-four, before lifting over the crossbar with an
overly-audacious chip. Then, fifteen minutes later, Urbicki was called upon in the form of a penalty: the 'keeper getting down to his left brilliantly to get both hands on the ball, to beat the spot-kick away.
In the final moments, they went
one better. The last ten minutes of the half were all John Moore’s, and the 1’s
had a massive amount of pressure to soak up. Only a lunging, last ditch Jamie
Pick challenge and a superb Todd Watts goal line clearance kept the opposition
at bay before they eventually found their equaliser from a corner – setting up
a make or break second half for both teams.
Famously, a concession on the
stroke of half time is the worst time for it, and can often dispirit the
conceding team. Thankfully, the 1’s did not have this issue, thanks to the substitution
of midfield technician Jack Ryan, who’s composure and proficiency on the ball
helped calm Blue heads, and allowed the attacking line greater freedom in the
final third. This was displayed fifty minutes into the game, when the lethal
Jarvis bore down on the box, before rupturing the link between two defenders,
and squaring it across the face of goal. Jarvis’ efforts were not in vain, as
fox-in-the-box Lewis was jogging on the spot: squeezing the ball inside the
post, and wheeling away to shush his John Moore’s naysayers, giving the already
raucous atmosphere an even greater edge.
Minutes later, the men in Blue
added a third – and what a goal it was. After building up effortlessly down the
left-hand side, Jarvis handed the ball over to Captain Toby Cogswell, who used
his body brilliantly to draw in two John Moore’s defenders, before turning into
open space and unleashing a strike of nigh-on perfect precision. As the ball
bounced beyond the grasping goalkeeper, Cogswell wheeled away to celebrate – causing
elation from players and fans alike, and ending the game as a contest.
Only
seconds later, the Blues completed a one-two punch of goals, this one arguably
of more quality than the last. It was the hard-working Franki Pashias and the
talismanic Lewis who put this into practice: linking up and methodically
dismantling John Moore’s down the right-hand flank. After some nice inter-play
in a confined space, Pashias – continuing his scintillating form – floated a
ball into the eighteen-yard box, where Jarvis – not known for his aerial
ability – leapt into the air, before adjusting acrobatically to get his head on
the ball and thumping home emphatically. From this moment forward, the 1’s
controlled possession and looked to run out the clock, which they did to
complete the double over their John Moore’s foes.
What a game. Four magnificent goals from three different scorers to show footballing superiority over local rivals, the Blues camp will doubtlessly be buzzing. It is now crucial that Jack Edwards’ side maintain this momentum throughout the week to ensure a victory over relegation rivals Leeds University. A must win game, the Blues will feel confident after this blistering performance.
Goals:
University
of Liverpool: Jarvis 8’ 67’, Cogswell 64’, Lewis 51’
LJMU: 44’
Player(s) of the Match: Todd Watts & Jack Ryan
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