Laura Butters was the hero as the City of Liverpool Women fought back from 3-1 down to complete a remarkable turnaround against Liverpool University on Sunday.
Manager Jay Maguire named perhaps his strongest starting line-up as the purps headed into the game knowing victory would keep alive their season as they look to finish strongly on their debut season.
Cheered on by the watching fans, the Purps made a fast start as Laura Butters scored after 4 minutes.
A long clearance downfield from the goalkeeper Kayleigh Frankland was expertly controlled by Butters who calmly slotted it past the keeper to put them 1-0 ahead on 4 minutes.
However a strong Liverpool university side soon found their feet after the early setback.
Two scrappy goals in quick succession put the University side ahead before the Purps went close themselves at the other end with Laura Butters strike whistling past the post.
But it was Liverpool university who would strike again.
With the purps struggling to clear their lines, the ball fell to the Liverpool university striker who curled the ball into the top corner to make it 3-1 to the university.
A string of world class saves from the Purps goalkeeper Kayleigh Frankland kept the university at bay as they sensed blood and looked to add to their tally.Â
Some fantastic saves were made throughout the game but especially in the testing 15 minutes before the break by Kayleigh which ultimately kept us in the game and helped motivate the group to kick on in the second half.
Half time came and Danielle Rutter came on for the ever present Lauren Fisher as manager Jay Maguire looked to get his team back into the game.
With the debutant Kirsty Young marshalling the midfield it wasn’t long before the purps came back into the game with fortuitous goal from Danielle Rutter on the 51st minute.
A looping corner was met by the shoulder of Rutter and creeped into the net, much to the protestations of the opponents, 2-3 and game on!
It wasn’t long before it was Butters on the score sheet again. Controlling and finishing in clinical style to level the scores.
Again it was goalkeeper Kayleigh Frankland who kept the purps level with a string of saves to keep the scores level going into the final 5 minutes as Liverpool University looked to break quickly in attack.
Entering the 88th minute and with the game wide wide open it was Liverpool University who nearly stole all 3 points. A long ball seized upon by the attacking player but her shot creeped agonizingly past the post.
From the resulting goal kick it was the purps, and Butters, who would melt university hearts.
A ball over the top from the excellent Corrin Melia was seized upon by Butters who calmly turned her marker before slotting the ball underneath the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 4-3 to the Purps and seal a remarkable turnaround.Â
It was the start of the celebrations amongst the players and supporters as the club secured a victory that keeps it’s playoff hopes alive in what has been a remarkable first season.
Our Women next play against Warrington Wolves FC at the great Sankey neighbourhood hub, Sunday 25th February at 2PM.
