City of Liverpool came from a goal down to secure a good victory away at Warrington Rylands in our second pre-season outing.
Following on from Tuesday’s convincing win away at Cammell Laird, manager Craig Robinson gave further opportunities for players to impress, fielding different sides in each half.
In a frenetic start, Purps custodian Owen Wheeler was twice called into action early on.
The goalkeeper made a fine stop low down within the first two minutes as a Rylands forward raced clear.
Wheeler was also off his line quickly to intercept with a sliding challenge outside of his area as the home side again threatened.
The Purps went close when the impressive A. Trialist hammered a left footed effort from fully 30 yards out which whistled past former Purps keeper Graeme McCall’s left hand post.
Rylands took the lead from the spot after a very generous penalty was awarded.
The home forward went down under pressure from Jordan Barrow and the ref quickly pointed the spot, much to the bemusement of the away team.
Freddie Potter stepped up to dispatch a well taken spot kick into the corner of the net.
The away team rallied and were level only a matter of minutes later following a swift counter attack.
A Rylands free kick was cleared by a towering header from Tom Stevens, with Jack Hazlehurst then lofting a ball over the Rylands backline for Elliott Nevitt to chase.
The home defenders couldn’t cope with Nevitt’s physical presence and the Purps forward raced clear following a miscued header to tuck a tidy finish beyond Graeme McCall and into the net.
The visitors went in level at the break, and it was no more than they deserved in an entertaining game.
The home side started the second half well, with substitute Purps goalkeeper Andy Marshall making a fine stop diving full stretch to his left, pushing away a fierce drive from the edge of the area.
Marshall was again called into action a few minutes later as he plucked the ball from the feet of an advancing Rylands attacker. The home side’s forward again screamed for a penalty but it was fine goalkeeping from the Purps stopper.
The visitors were reduced to ten men midway through the second half as Jay Jeffries was harshly dismissed following an off the ball incident involving McDonald and a Rylands defender.
Following the dismissal the Purps rallied and were much the better side with the impressive Ethan Devine and Kev McEllin covering every blade of grass. Devine in particular stole possession from the opponents on a number of occasions with some fine challenges and quickness in the press.
The Purps took the lead courtesy of substitute Dom Reid who cut in from the left hand side and arrowed a low right footed effort across the Rylands keeper into the far corner of the net, following a lovely reverse pass from Ste Rigby.
However, the pick of the goals was saved for the final minutes. The Purps were awarded an indirect free kick in the Rylands box after the keeper comically picked up a back pass in his own 6 yard box.
Stephen Rigby played the free kick to the edge of the area where Kev McEllin met it first-time with a thunderous right footed effort which flew past the keeper and rippled the net.
A fine strike to cap off a good victory on the road as we made it two wins out of two in pre-season so far.
FINAL SCORE: Warrington Rylands 1-3 City of Liverpool
First Half XI: Wheeler, Yates, Barrow, McCarten (Stevens), Corrigan, McGrath, TRIALIST, Kinsella, Hazlehurst, Gray, Nevitt
Second Half XI: Marshall, Jeffries, Brown, Stevens, Rigby, TRIALIST, McEllin, TRIALIST (Hazlehurst), Devine, Reid, McDonald
MATCHDAY PHOTO GALLERY:
[foogallery id=”7541″]