City of Liverpool are pleased to announce the signing of Zambian winger Joe Mwasile.
Mwasile started his career at Morecambe and made 30 professional appearances for the Globe Arena side.
Our new signing also spent time on loan at Workington, Altrincham and Barrow before leaving Morecambe in 2014.
After leaving The Shrimps, the 29 year old went on to represent Salford City, Marine, Warrington Town and had a short spell at Witton Albion last season.
Mwasile spent three separate spells at Nantwich Town where he was firmly a fans favourite, making over 150 appearances for the Dabbers since first joining in October 2016.
Joe joins the Purps after a brief spell at Prescot Cables and manager Paul McNally is pleased to welcome his new addition.
Macca explained, “Joe is a player we have known about for a long time and has been on our radar for a while.”
“We feel he can bring some pace to the team, particularly in wide areas of the pitch”.
After a below par performance it took a penalty shoot out for City of Liverpool to progress on Tuesday night against Burscough, in the Liverpool Senior Cup 1st Round.
After a disappointing 5-0 home defeat to Leek Town on Saturday, Paul McNally said he would freshen the side up and he did just that, with Nathan Burke, Max Allen, John McGrath, James Steele and Jack Walls replaced in the starting lineup by Glenn Rule, James Edgar, Danny McKenna, Danny Mitchley and Louis Corrigan.
The 5 changes to the starting lineup showed as the Purps looked disjointed in the opening 20 minutes, struggling to play through their lower ranked opposition, who were content to sit in, allow Shaw and Hughes to have the ball at centre back, then close quickly once the Purps moved the ball into midfield.
It was a game plan that worked for Burscough, as they won the ball back time and again in midfield before breaking with pace, especially down their right hand side where the lively Xenon Bahula was giving Corrigan a torrid time.
On more than one occasion Corrigan had to resort to fouling his former Purps teammate as he broke forward on the counter.
Despite the Burscough game plan they had not produced a shot on target but they took the lead on 23 minutes.
They pressed high up the pitch this time, forcing Purps Keeper Ryan Hamer to hurry his clearance.
It lacked height and distance and went straight to the unmarked Liam Caddick, who took a touch and slide it under Hamer. 1-0 Burscough.
If Paul McNally wanted a reaction from his side from going a goal down it did not seem to materialise.
The Purps struggled going forward playing between the lines and resorted to quick balls over the top for Milne and Mitchley to chase and more than once they were pulled back for offside as Burscough kept their shape really well.
The best the Purps could muster in the whole of the first half came right on halftime, a snapshot from the edge of the box from Milne that was straight at Charlie Monks in the Burscough goal.
HALF TIME- BURSCOUGH 1-0 CITY OF LIVERPOOL
The equaliser came from the Purps just 6 minutes after the break.
Hamer got the Purps moving by launching a throw from his own box up to Danny McKenna on half way line. He took a touch, turned and curled a delightful ball into the run of Danny Mitchley.
The Purps striker nodded the ball over the advancing Charlie Monks, then walked the ball over the line.
It was Mitchley’s first goal for the Purps since signing from Skemersdale United. No celebrations either, just an eagerness to get the ball and get on with things.
Suddenly the Purps had the bit between their teeth.
They looked a lot more comfortable in possession, were quicker closing down in midfield and looked dangerous when they broke forward.
It was this renewed purpose that saw them take the lead.
Ste Milne picked a pocket in midfield, and played a one-two with Mitchley, before scampering down the right side.
Michael Simpson then moved it inside for Mitchley who curled a right footed effort toward the top corner. Monks produced a fantastic fingertip save, pushing Mitchley effort onto the inside of the post but Danny McKenna was quickest to the rebound, bundling the ball over the line.
An assist and now a goal for Mckenna. 2-1 Purps and turned around in the space of 10 minutes.
Burscough began to push for an equaliser and only a fantastic save from Ryan Hamer denied Xenon Bahula from scoring against his former side.
He ran at Hughes, twisting and turning inside then outside before breaking into the box and attempting to dink it over the onrushing Hamer.
Hamer stayed big and took the effort square in the chest, putting it behind for a corner.
Burscough were to get their equaliser just 5 minutes from the end.
A free kick from the byline was whipped across the 6 yard box for Liam Willingham to nod home.
Somehow he found himself with the freedom of Burscough and made no mistake from that close.
An awful goal to concede from the Purps point of view but no less than Burscough deserved for their overall performance.
A penalty shoot out beckoned.
Here is where I apologise again for those who where listening in on PurpsFM, as the coverage cut out just before the penalty shootout. I ended up describing the shootout to myself as I didnt realise the signal had gone. My apologises to all!
Burscough went first with both sides scoring their opening 4 penalties (Burke, Mitchley, Hughes and Steele for the Purps).
The 5th penalty for Burscough was missed. Adam Boydell, who was with the Purps at the end of last season, putting his pen wide of Hamer left hand post.
Up stepped Pete Wylie for the Purps, skipper on the night and the only player to have played every minute of every game this season.
He sent Monks the wrong way and sent the Purps into the next round.
There was muted celebrations at the winning penalty – very much a case of job done, but only just.
Burscough: ✅️✅️✅️✅️❌️
City of Liverpool:✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️
FULL TIME- BURSCOUGH 2-2 CITY OF LIVERPOOL (4-5 PENS)
CITY OF LIVERPOOL: Ryan Hamer, Pete Wylie(C), Louis Corrigan, Adam Hughes, Danny Shaw (Kenny Strickland 59′), Glenn Rule, Danny McKenna, Michael Simpson, Danny Mitchley, Ste Milne (James Steele 68′), James Edgar (Nathan Burke 68′).
Subs not used: Max Allen, John McGrath
MAN OF THE MATCH: Danny Mitchley. Grabbed his 1st Purps goal with a well taken finish, and only a worldie save stopped him getting a 2nd.
MANAGERS INTERVIEW: Paul McNally was disappointed with the overall performance but pleased to see his side in the hat for the next round ⬇️
The brand new City of Liverpool FC Warriors took their first steps into competitive football last Sunday in the newly formed She Inspires league.
Having been only formed for around 3 months, what initially started as a way to encourage more women and non-binary players into football has gradually morphed into players wanting to represent the city locally and as we progress, regionally.
Missing their captain Gemma Stanton through an ankle injury, the purps put on a solid display in each of their two games. A slow start to the day meant AFC Warner took home the spoils in the first game but the warriors soon found their feet and it was Jess who struck the winning goal in a close game vs Heron Ladies FC leaving the team in a celebratory mood.
Catching up with Gemma Stanton, the warriors captain midweek, she said “Having attended the banding tournament in September 22, COLFC Warriors were promoted to the Championship league – just 1 division under the top Premiership league. Given the infancy of the team, this is an incredible achievement and just goes to show how far we’ve come and how far we can reach in the future. I am incredibly proud of the group of Warriors that attended the first competitive games on Sunday, already making a positive impression by achieving our first win on the first day. Watch this space…”
With standout performances right across the park it was fantastic to see the friendships that have also developed across the team, with the players all shouting and encouraging each other as the games wore on.
Georgia Whitelaw, midfield dynamo and social secretary for the warriors had these words to say post game “It was a great afternoon to have our first experience in the She Inspires league, playing competitively against the other teams gives us the opportunity to reflect, grow and be more confident when we face the next upcoming fixtures! It’s also brilliant seeing so many women play football and how friendly opposition teams are to one another.”
The team now look forward to their next fixtures in the she inspires league as well as friendlies as they look to build upon their excellent start. We hope this is the first milestone in what will be an exciting part of the purple tapestry.
Nathan Burke scored twice to inspire the Purps to a 4-0 win against local rivals Widnes at The Berry Street Garage Stadium.
The fixture took on a bit of extra needle as former Purps manager Michael Ellison, relieved of his duties earlier this season after losing the opening 4 league games with the club rooted at the bottom of the table, is now in charge of Widnes.
Bottom of the table Widnes were immediately on the back foot.
John McGrath cutting in from the left and bending a right footed effort toward the far corner that was pushed out by the Widnes keeper.
The rebound fell to James Steele who couldn’t sort out his feet as he looked to follow up.
A few minutes later the impressive Max Allen then went close, bending a left footed free kick past the far with the keeper rooted to the spot.
On 14 minutes the opening goal came. Striker Ste Milne, playing centrally rather than off the wing, was sent clear in the box.
His ankles were clipped by former Purp Ste Rigby and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Rigby was fortunate to only be yellow carded despite being last man and stopping a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Nathan Burke stepped up and kept his cool to roll the pen straight down the middle.
Widnes tried to grow into the game as the half went on but failed to muster up a shot on target as Pete Wylie and Danny Shaw kept former Purps striker Will Jones very quiet.
There were plenty of deep free kicks and corners into the box from Widnes which the Purps defence dealt well with, marshalled by young keeper Ryan Hamer, who wasn’t afraid to come through the crowd to claim long balls or punch when needed.
In truth it was a comfortable 1st half for Paul McNally side, who played well within themselves and could even have extended their lead.
Top Scorer James Steele was taking every opportunity to get at the full back and cut inside. He had a low effort held well by the Widnes goalkeeper and later then crossed low for McGrath to tee up Burke on the edge, but his effort was straight at the keeper.
HALF TIME- City of Liverpool 1-0 Widnes
It was a quiet opening to the 2nd half with no chances for either side until the 57th minute when the Purps got the second goal which subsequently killed off the game.
John McGrath took on the full back and dinked a delightful ball to the back post which was bundled home under pressure by James Steele.
It may have been going in but Steele made sure for his 6th goal in 15 games this season.
Max Allen then stung the Widnes keeper palms with a blistering effort from 25 yards that was destined for the bottom corner.
The 3rd goal was coming and it was Ste Milne involved again.
He seized upon an underhit back pass in the box before a lunging tackle by a Widnes defender James McCulloch saw him go down.
It was a stonewall penalty again, and in truth was a calamitous moment from the Widnes backline to gift the Purps the chance to increase the margin of their lead.
Up stepped Burke again and it was the same result, with the skipper this time going bottom right with the keeper going the wrong way again.
There was some more long balls for the Purps defence to deal with as the clock ticked toward 90 and a moment of concern for the Purps towards the end, as keeper Hamer dived on a loose ball in the box and was clattered by Sephton.
Both players stayed down and received lengthy treatment but fortunately were okay to continue.
Hamer putting his body on the line to protect that clean sheet.
There was still time for a 4th goal, though.
Substitute Michael Simpson’s tenacity was rewarded.
Still working hard even in the 90th minute, he pressed high up the pitch picked a Widnes pocket on the edge of the box.
He cut inside and curled a low left footed effort into the bottom corner. The Purps fans in the ground were delighted with that finish.
That is now 4 wins in 5 for Paul McNally and sees the Purps up to 13th in the NPL West.
FULL TIME- City of Liverpool 4-0 Widnes
City of Liverpool: Ryan Hamer, Jack Walls (Michael Simpson 78′), Pete Wylie, Adam Hughes (Louis Corrigan 83′), Danny Shaw, Kenny Strickland, Max Allen (Glenn Rule 78′), Nathan Burke(c), Ste Milne, James Steele, John McGrath.
Subs not used: Danny McKenna, James Edgar
Man of the Match: Nathan Burke. The skipper scored two and dominated the Widnes midfield. Dictated the tempo and kept the Purps going all game.
Manager Interview:
See Paul McNally thoughts as we made it 4 wins out of 5⬇️
Our thanks to Paul Moran for use of his images📸. You can find him on twitter @PaulMoran62
City of Liverpool secured a win against ten man Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday, courtesy of a late winner from right back Jack Walls.
The Purps were without the services of forward Danny Mitchley who missed out with an injury, but Paul McNally was boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Michael Simpson who took a place on the bench.
Macca gave Kenny Strickland the earliest possible Purps debut, after the experienced midfielder joined from Skelmersdale United earlier in the week.
The Purps saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges but didn’t quite have the final ball to dissect a Kidsgrove side who have been tough to break down this season.
An early cross from Kev Ellison which narrowly evaded James Steele at the back post was the only real goalmouth action for the first 25 minutes of the match.
The first real chance fell to Ellison after a lovely bit of play saw Steele leave former Purps defender Scott Lycett trailing in his wake.
Steeley cut back for Ellison but the former Morecambe man’s left footed effort flew wide of Ryan Brown’s goal.
It was very much Ellison in the the thick of the action as moments later he saw a close range effort fly narrowly wide, before drawing an excellent stop from Brown with a ferocious angled drive.
Ellison’s afternoon was over shortly afterwards however, as he pulled up with a hamstring injury straight after surging past Lycett and firing a right footed effort into the side netting.
Kev was replaced by John McGrath.
Kidsgrove were reduced to ten men after 41 minutes when Ernest Ofosu saw a straight red card for a two footed lunge which upended Ste Milne right in front of the referee.
The forward can have no complaints for a daft challenge which left his team mates with an uphill task when they were already under the cosh somewhat.
Into first half injury time the hosts had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when McGrath whipped in a glorious ball which sat up on a plate for James Steele, but the forward fired horribly over from four yards.
Before the half was out Kenny Strickland surged into the Kidsgrove box on a rare foray forward.
The midfielder almost marked his debut with the opener but fired narrowly wide under pressure from a couple of visiting defenders.
HALF TIME: City of Liverpool 0-0 Kidsgrove Athletic
The Purps made the best possible start to the second period, opening the scoring within a minute of the restart.
It was one which goalkeeper Ryan Brown won’t want to see again, as the Kidsgrove custodian horribly sliced a clearance under pressure from the press of John McGrath.
Brown’s clearance fell straight to the foot of Max Allen who took full advantage of the error, firing into the unguarded net from 30 yards out.
Five minutes it could have been two, after the opener a deep corner from Nathan Burke was headed back across goal by centre back Danny Shaw.
Shaw’s ball was met by the head of Steele who did well to direct it goal wards, but only into the grateful arms of Brown.
The Purps press continued to press for a goal which would put the result beyond any lingering doubt and went close again when skipper Burke fired a long range free kick narrowly over Brown’s crossbar.
Another golden opportunity went begging after 64 minutes when the marauding Danny McKenna played in a delightful cross from the left which saw Steele glance narrowly wide with Brown beaten.
Steele then tested Brown’s resolve with a fierce long range effort which stung the palms of the keeper as he turned it around the post.
At the other end, the visitors had their first real effort on goal which brought the best out of Ryan Hamer, with the young goalkeeper turning an effort from Will Saxon around the post.
Saxon went close again moments later with an angled drive which went inches past the post.
The Purps were made to rue a host of missed opportunities and not making the man advantage when Kieran Brown bundled home from close range on 77 minutes to restore parity.
Paul McNally’s side would have to find another goal to prevent Kidsgrove’s battling ten men from escaping with an unlikely point.
Two minutes after the equaliser John McGrath jinked down the right before cutting inside and arrowing a left footed finish which cannoned back off Brown’s post.
With the clock ticking ever closer to the 90 minute mark a through-ball from the excellent Max Allen saw John McGrath race away before delivering a cut-back across the face of goal.
The ball was slightly behind James Steele and just when it appeared the chance was gone, substitute Jack Walls raced in at the back post to hammer home beyond Brown.
A winner for the many gathered behind the goal, which sparked jubilant scenes amongst the players, supporters and backroom staff who sprinted down the touchline to celebrate.
After Jack’s strike there was still time for vociferous appeals from the visiting players and a few fans at the other end, as Adam Hughes looked to have handled an attempted cross from the right.
The referee and linesman both waved away their appeals, but replays suggested the penalty claims were perfectly justified.
Paul McNally’s side saw the remaining time out to secure a third win in four games, which lifted the Purps to 18th in the NPL West division table.
FULL TIME: City of Liverpool 2-1 Kidsgrove Athletic
City of Liverpool: Ryan Hamer, Peter Wylie, Danny McKenna (Michael Simpson 77′), Adam Hughes, Danny Shaw, Kenny Strickland, Max Allen, Nathan Burke, Kev Ellison (John McGrath 38′), James Steele, Ste Milne (Jack Walls 68′).
Subs not used: Louis Corrigan, Glenn Rule
Man of the Match: Max Allen capped a typically classy midfield display by opening the scoring with an opportunistic effort from long range.
Manager’s Interview:
Having caught his breath from a Mourinho-esque sprint down the touchline to celebrate Jack Walls’ late winner, Macca reflected on a hard-earned three points which saw his side pick up their third win from four games.
The manager also praised the support which helped see his side to three points and called for as many Purps as possible to turn out for our midweek derby clash with Widnes.
NEXT UP:
The big games come thick and fast as the Purps take on Widnes at home on Tuesday night for a 7:45pm kick off.
The match sees us welcome back former manager Michael Ellison as well as his backroom team of Matt Cross, Chris Lawton and Ryan Brookfield.
City of Liverpool FC are pleased to announce the signing of Kenny Strickland from Skelmersdale United.
The midfielder was a key part of manager Paul McNally’s side at Skem, making well over 300 appearances for the club across a couple of spells, and is now reunited with Macca and former team mate Danny Mitchley at Purple Hub.
Strickland represented both Manchester United and Chelsea at youth level, turning out for the London club up to the Under 18 age group.
Our new signing also spent a number of years at Marine where he made over 130 appearances for the Crosby club.
A versatile operator, Kenny is highly adept in a number of positions and will add to the strength in depth and leadership attributes Paul McNally is steadily building at the club.
The manager explained, “Kenny is a top player who will bring more leadership qualities to the squad.”
“He has a vast amount of experience of this level and that will be valuable in the coming months ahead”.
City of Liverpool’s double-header with Trafford ended with the same scoreline but the reverse outcome, as Danny Caldecott’s side came away with the points at Shaw View on Saturday.
Paul McNally handed a first start to forward Danny Mitchley, whilst Kev Ellison was only fit enough for a place on the bench after picking up a recent injury.
Michael Simpson and Jack Hazlehurst remain on the treatment table, with both players edging closer to a return to action.
A cagey opening saw Trafford occupying much of the early possession, but it was City of Liverpool with the first clear-cut chance of the match.
Forward James Steele raced clear down the left before cutting inside on the counter-attack and was only denied by the trailing boot of Trafford custodian Matthew Cooper.
At the other end, the dangerous Saj Elhassan was a constant threat on the wing, just as he was in the reverse fixture last weekend.
The tricky wide-man hung up an inviting cross from the right which was met by the head of forward Aaron Fleming, but his effort was smothered by Ryan Hamer.
It wouldn’t be long before the home side opened the scoring however, as forward Ollie Ford raced clear from what looked to be an offside position only to be denied by a fine low save by Hamer.
The loose ball was squandered by a poor clearance from Ryan Schofield, which allowed Rob Worrall and Ford to link up to feed Fleming, who confidently volleyed home.
Despite questions about the offside and poor positioning from the linesman, it was a very poor goal for the Purps to give away following Hamer’s excellent initial save.
City of Liverpool were gifted the opportunity to level matters only four minutes later when a defensive mistake saw Trafford’s Harry Norris squander possession in his own box.
Jay Edgar raced onto the loose ball before hammering into the unguarded net, with Matthew Cooper left horribly exposed by his defender’s mistake.
The Purps had their tails up after the goal and could have scored when good pressing up top saw Max Allen charge down a clearance from Cooper.
The loose ball found James Steele, but the forward saw an effort blocked from close range, only for Paul McNally’s side to be hit by a sucker-punch as Trafford went straight down the other end to re-take the lead.
Danny Caldecott’s side worked the ball forward down the right before finding space on the left of the box for debutant wingback Ryan White, who drilled a left footed effort across goal and into the net.
It was a real kick in the teeth for the Purps and another poor goal to concede, ending an off-colour half.
HALF TIME: Trafford 2-1 City of Liverpool
Shortly after the break Macca introduced Ste Milne and Kev Ellison for John McGrath and Danny Mitchley respectively, as the Purps sought another route back to parity.
However, before the forwards could find their way into the game it was Rob Worrall gave the hosts breathing space after 68 minutes.
The Trafford #10 slotted home with a composed finish from close range in front of the home fans after good work down the left from White.
Trafford’s comfort wouldn’t last long as shortly afterwards a flick on from Ellison found Milne, who supplied a lovely through-ball for the advancing James Steele.
The Purps top scorer was denied by a good save from Cooper but the ball broke for Ellison who sat a defender down before coolly slotting home to make it 3-2.
Game on!
Moments after the goal, City of Liverpool’s task got a whole lot more difficult when Jay Edgar committed a foul on the half way line and sent off for a second bookable offence.
It was the away side pressing for an equaliser in the final stages though, as Trafford also went down to ten men shortly afterwards when Barlow was forced off with a knock after all of Danny Caldecott’s subs had been used.
The closing minutes saw the Purps camped in Trafford’s half in search of an equaliser which they almost claimed when Steele found the ball on the left of the box and hammered against the bar.
Late on Max Allen also fired agonisingly across the face of goal with Ellison and Steele stretching for it, as the hosts hung on to claim the three points.
FULL TIME: Trafford 3-2 City of Liverpool
City of Liverpool:
Ryan Hamer, Peter Wylie, Louis Corrigan, Adam Hughes, Ryan Schofield (Jack Walls 71′), Jay Edgar, Nathan Burke (c), Max Allen, Danny Mitchley (Kev Ellison 61′), James Steele, John McGrath (Ste Milne 56′)
Subs not used: Danny Shaw, Danny McKenna,
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Ryan Hamer was the star man for the Purps on Saturday and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
The young keeper’s handling and distribution were faultless whilst he also made a string of excellent stops to give Paul McNally’s side a chance to salvage something late on.
MANAGER’S INTERVIEW:
Macca gave his thoughts at full time and explained how he was disappointed with the first half performance but thought his side was much better in the second period.
The gaffer also praised man of the match Ryan Hamer who put in an excellent performance despite the Purps going down to a defeat.
NEXT UP:
City of Liverpool face Kidsgrove at home on Saturday 15th October in the NPL West Division.
Kick off is 3pm and tickets are available in advance on Skiddle, as well as the gate.
City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of Ste Milne from Lower Breck.
The former Warrington Town, Bootle and Rylands forward becomes Paul McNally’s fourth signing following the arrivals of Graeme McCall, Danny Mitchley and Kev Ellison.
The versatile marksman can operate anywhere across the frontline and will perhaps be remembered by Purps fans for a stunning equaliser against his new side when playing for Rylands last season.
Milne fired home a long range effort to level matters at Gorsey Lane, with the Purps going on to win 3-2 against the eventual NPL West division champions.
Our new forward certainly knows where the goal is and has regularly been on the scoresheet for both Lower Breck and Rylands in recent seasons.
Milne was an important figure as Rylands won the FA Vase against Binfield during the 2020-21 season, scoring in ties against Daisy Hill and Longridge as Dave McNabb’s side plotted their route to Wembley.
Manager Paul McNally explained, “Ste is quality player who can play anywhere across the front positions and he has a proven goalscoring record”.
“We are delighted to be bring him to our club, adding strength in depth to our front line”.
“I’d like to say thanks to Gary at Lower Breck for his help in getting the signing completed quickly”.
City of Liverpool made it back to back wins to move another place up the NPL West division table on Saturday.
It was a similar story of another first half goal salvo which saw the Purps take the points against Trafford, with the hosts looking good value for the win before former loanee Ben Finley made them sweat late on.
Manager Paul McNally was without midfielder Michael Simpson owing to the injury which saw him come off in the second half at Hanley last weekend, whilst Jack Hazlehurst remains on the treatment table.
Fit-again skipper Nathan Burke replaced Simmo, whilst there was a place on the bench for new signing Danny Mitchley for the first time since he joined the club in September.
A cagey and somewhat scrappy opening 20 minutes saw very little in the way of goalmouth action, other than a half chance in the first minute which saw Trafford’s Michael Burke fire narrowly wide.
The visitors looked to utilise towering forward Thomas Bentham but with the wind swirling this made long balls difficult to perfect.
The Trafford target man was well marshalled by Adam Hughes and Ryan Schofield, whilst goalkeeper Ryan Hamer was also on his toes to mop up any swirling balls into the channel.
City of Liverpool were content to get the ball down and patiently look for openings, particularly down the left where Louis Corrigan, Max Allen and Jay Edgar were particularly impressive in moving possession down the flank.
The Purps took the lead after 22 minutes when a deep in-swinging corner from the left by Nathan Burke was headed back into the danger area goal by Peter Wylie, which saw top scorer James Steele deftly flick home with a back-header from close range.
It could have been two a matter of three minutes later when a deep cross from the left by the marauding Edgar saw Kevin Ellison barged in the box, but the referee waved play on.
The loose ball broke to a handily-placed Nathan Burke who hammered over from just inside the Trafford box when it looked for all the world that the net was about to ripple.
Burke wouldn’t have to wait long for his goal however, as within a minute the skipper put daylight between his side and Trafford.
Another deep cross from Edgar was flicked back by John McGrath, finding Burke who broke late into the area and fired a bouncing finish which slotted beyond the advancing Matthew Cooper.
The Purps were full of confidence and attacking intent, and it should have been three after 30 minutes when James Steele broke down the left of the box before cutting inside and firing a right footed finish which beat Cooper but was agonisingly hacked off the line by a covering defender.
The loose ball then narrowly evaded Ellison who looked to smuggle it home.
The home side would take a firm grip of the match within minutes, as Paul McNally’s side made it an eleven minute, three goal salvo.
A terrible backless from Trafford, a theme of the opening half hour our so, saw Jay Edgar the grateful recipient.
The winger capped off an excellent opening spell for himself by taking full advantage of the mistake, slotting home left footed with Cooper exposed.
There was still a chance to make it four before the half was out as Steele exposed the visiting backline again, but he was denied by the stray hand of Cooper as he looked to lob home from the left hand corner of the box.
Paul McNally’s Purps went in three to the good at the break and looking good value for their lead following another impressive first half performance.
HALF TIME: City of Liverpool 3-0 Trafford
Trafford manager Danny Caldecott made a change at the break with lively winger Sajjad Elhassan replacing centre back Glenn Matthews, which saw his side reverting to three at the back as they looked to get back into the game.
Within a minute of the restart it was the Purps who went close to increasing their lead however, with John McGrath cutting in from the right before hammering a curling left footed effort narrowly over Cooper’s crossbar.
At the other end, the introduction off Elhassan saw the visitors looking dangerous in attacking areas, with Louis Corrigan doing well to nullify his man in the opening minutes of the half.
City of Liverpool should have had a penalty on 57 minutes when James Steele raced clear but was scythed down by a challenge from behind just as he looked to pull the trigger.
The referee waved play on, with both Steele and the supporters behind the goal wondering just what has to be done in order for a spot kick to be awarded!
The chances continued to rain for the Purps, with firstly Kev Ellison lashing over after breaking clear on the left side of the box.
Next up, substitute Danny Mitchley almost capped his debut with a stunning introduction to the Purps supporters.
The forward fired a ferocious, rasping effort from fully 30 yards which shaved the post with Trafford custodian Cooper beaten.
Jay Edgar then went close with a driving run at the Trafford defence, before skewing his effort from around 25 across Cooper but wide of goal.
The visitors looked particularly dangerous in the final 20 minutes, whilst the Purps also tailed off somewhat after a combination of tired legs and a number of substitutions impacted the game.
Trafford introduced former Purps loanee Ben Finley and the forward made an almost immediate impact, drilling home an excellent long-range strike from 20 yards after 78 minutes to get his side back in the game.
The youngster then repeated the trick 7 minutes later, this time with a tap-in at the back post, to make the Purps sweat for the final knockings of the game.
Paul McNally’s side held out to take a valuable and deserved three points against a very good side, which saw them move up to 18th in the table.
FULL TIME: City of Liverpool 3-2 Trafford
City of Liverpool: Ryan Hamer, Pete Wylie, Louis Corrigan, Adam Hughes, Ryan Schofield, Jay Edgar (Jack Walls ’87), Nathan Burke, Max Allen, Kev Ellison, James Steele (Danny McKenna ’76), John McGrath (Danny Mitchley ’63)
Man of the Match:
Jay Edgar. The Purps midfielder capped an excellent performance with what turned out to be the winning goal and was a constant thorn Trafford’s side both in attacking and defensive play. Jay gets the nod ahead of the superb Max Allen.
MANAGER’S INTERVIEW:
Macca was pleased to see his side pick up back to back three points following a good performance against a good side.
The manager praised his side for digging in late on and getting over the line after Trafford got back in the game.
NEXT UP:
City of Liverpool face Trafford again next weekend in the reverse fixture, for a 3pm kick off at Shawe View Stadium.
