City of Liverpool fell to a 3-2 defeat at Vauxhall Motors on Bank Holiday Monday after a poor performance saw the Purps gift three goals to the newly promoted side.
Macca handed starts to Nick Ryan, Aaron Fleming, Harry Cannon-Noren and Kenny Strickland as we contested our third game in six days.
Less than a minute was on the clock when a wayward back header from Nick Ryan presented former Purp Conor Harwood with a golden opportunity to open the scoring.
The forward rounded Calvin Hare before tapping into the empty net, as City of Liverpool got off to the worst possible start at the VanEupen Arena.
If anything, the start set the tone for an opening in which The Motormen grew in confidence, forcing unnecessary errors from the Purps who squandered possession at will.
It took time for the visitors to get into the game but when they did Callum Schorah was a real thorn in the side of Mick McGraa’s men, who struggled to cope with his exquisite touch and ability to find pockets of space.
It was Schorah, both City of Liverpool’s most consistent performer and attacking threat so far this season, who levelled matters after 23 minutes.
Midfielder Kenny Strickland sent his marker to the shop down the left side before curling in a beautiful cross which Schorah nodded beyond home goalkeeper Sam Booth.
HALF TIME: Vauxhall Motors 1-1- City of Liverpool
The half began with former Purps defender Adam Hughes leaving the field with an innocuous injury early on, whilst another ex City of Liverpool player, Stephen Rigby, saw a tame header well saved by Calvin Hare.
The home side were gifted the opportunity to re-take the lead when more poor decision-making at the back saw a wayward back-pass intercepted and Nick Ryan’s attempted challenge was adjudged to have fouled Harwood as he hooked the ball clear.
Regardless of the referee’s eventual decision it was a highly avoidable penalty incident, all of the Purps’ own making.
Motors skipper Ben Holmes stepped up and squeezed his spot-kick agonisingly beyond Hare who got fingertips to it but couldn’t quite keep it out.
City of Liverpool had long spells of possession after the goal, as they attempted to get back into the match for a second time.
The home defence did well to absorb the pressure at times and made a number of telling interventions to protect Sam Booth’s goal.
It wouldn’t be long before parity was restored though and the Purps levelled matters again when a lovely lofted ball in behind from Max Allen saw Schorah racing clear and the Purps talisman fired a brilliant finish across Booth.
The Purps had a succession of corners which caused problems for the home backline and substitute Xenon Bahula also raced beyond a tired defence only for a last gasp challenge to prevent a tap-in at the back post.
Just when it seemed as though the Purps were in the ascendency it was the home side who snatched it at the death.
The Purps squandered possession in their own half and Vauxhall Motors worked the ball forward for Burkey to cut inside and fire an effort which Hare spilled for a grateful Holmes to fire home his second of the match.
There was more than a hint of offside but it wasn’t given and the home side had been handed their third gift of the match with a matter of minutes remaining.
The final whistle blew shortly afterwards and brought to an end a sorry 90 minutes for the Purps, who made life difficult for themselves all afternoon.
FULL TIME: Vauxhall Motors 3-2 City of Liverpool
City of Liverpool: Calvin Hare, Harry Cannon-Noren (Josh Quarless 62′), Jack Hont, Nick Ryan (Simon Wills 73′), Mike Grogan, Kenny Strickland, Callum Schorah, Michael Simpson, Danny Mitchley, Max Allen, Aaron Fleming (Xenon Bahula 62′)
Subs not used: Anthony Miley, Ismail Sonko.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
The performance of Callum Schorah was the only real positive to take from a poor day at the office from the Purps. Schorah was absolutely everywhere and took his two goals brilliantly.
He didn’t deserve to be on the losing side – well played, Callum.
MANAGER’S INTERVIEW:
Macca gave an honest reflection on an afternoon where the Purps were poor from the off, but reserved praise for the excellent Callum Schorah.
