City of Liverpool were indebted to two stunning strikes from forward Josh Quarless on Saturday, which secured an FA Cup replay against Penistone Church.
Quarless marked his second debut for the club with a brace, just as he did on his first debut back in November 2021, as the Purps struggled to turn possession and chances into goals.
Manager Paul McNally was without seven first team regulars with Ismail Sonko, Aaron Fleming, Anthony Miley, Kenny Strickland, Simon Wills, Max Allen and Jawad Jebrin unavailable.
Allen failed a late fitness test and was replaced by debutant Ethan Jones who partnered Michael Simpson in midfield.
The Purps started strongly and looked dangerous in wide areas through the lively Xenon Bahula, but were left frustrated by an organised away backline who were committed in the tackle and had a solid structure.
On a number of occasions Bahula looked to be clean through beyond the last defender, but a last-gasp intervention proved telling.
The Purps should have had a penalty early in proceedings when a deep cross looked destined for Mike Grogan to nod in at the back post, only for the Penistone defender to intervene with an obvious push in the back.
The referee was unmoved and waved play on.
Visiting skipper Danny Howes went into the book for an ugly challenge on Bahula after the winger had skipped past him – as the game became somewhat stop/start in nature.
The visitors went ahead somewhat against the run of play, with the Purps frustrated by the referee’s involvement in the incident.
Mike Simpson ran onto a loose ball and looked set to start a counter attack for the hosts, only for the referee to obstruct him, resulting in possession being gifted to Church.
The visitors moved the play down the left hand side and saw the bright Leon Hurles-Brook skip into the box before drilling a composed finish beyond Ben Barnes.
After the goal, City of Liverpool looked to find immediate parity but were again frustrated by an excellent Church rearguard which stood in the way of pretty much every opportunity.
Tom Croughan headed wide when well-placed, before Josh Quarless drew a good save from visiting goalkeeper Harry Ambler with a swerving free kick which moved viciously in the air.
The custodian stuck up a firm hand to deflect behind for a corner.
Bahula had a golden opportunity to level matters but was denied by another brilliant challenge, this time from right-back Nathan Keightley.
The right wing back whipped the ball from Xenon’s feet with a perfectly-timed intervention as he pulled the trigger in front of goal.
Just before the interval the hosts went closest to levelling matters when defender Nick Ryan fired home a loose ball from close range after a corner was only half cleared.
Ryan’s effort beat the keeper but was agonisingly hacked off the line by the excellently-placed Keightley once again.
HALF TIME: CITY OF LIVERPOOL 0-1 PENISTONE CHURCH
The Purps came out for the second period with more attacking intent and it looked only a matter of time before they’d make an impression on the scoreline.
Mike Grogan met a corner from Bahula with a powerful header only for another intervention on the goal-line from Ambler smuggled the ball to safety.
City of Liverpool’s quest continued as Mike Simpson’s left footed drive from distance was met by an important touch from Ambler who diverted it over the crossbar and into the Dodge Kop.
It was only a matter of time before the hosts had their equaliser and they did so in stunning fashion.
Xenon Bahula’s driving run into the Church half saw the winger pick out Quarless 25 yards out and the forward took the ball neatly before curling an absolute worldy into the top corner which gave Ambler absolutely no chance.
Pick. That. Out!
The Purps were given the ultimate chance to complete the turnaround when the referee pointed to the spot after a clumsy challenge in the box by the otherwise excellent Tom Brennan.
Skipper Danny Mitchley stepped up by hammered his spot-kick over the bar – a real let off for Church.
The penalty was nearly forgotten moments later when out of nothing Ethan Jones almost capped his debut with a stunning strike of his own.
Jones arrowed a rasping left footed effort from distance which cannoned back off Ambler’s crossbar but agonisingly away to safety.
As the match approached injury time the Purps were dealt a real sucker-punch when the dangerous Leon Hurles-Brook found space on the edge of the area before arrowing a low left-footed effort beyond Barnes into the corner of the net.
The forward wheeled away with delight and must’ve thought he’d finally made the Purps pay for their profligacy in front of goal.
Birthday boy Josh Quarless didn’t read the script though and had other ideas.
Deep into NINE minutes of injury time Xenon Bahula was felled 25 yards from goal and awarded a clear free kick.
There was only one man standing over the ball and Quarless showed exactly why, as his stunning effort curled beyond Ambler into the net.
The referee blew for full time shortly after the equaliser and in truth, it was no more than the Purps deserved, having created considerable opportunities despite a somewhat disjointed day in front of goal.
Church took their opportunities well through the lively Hurles-Brook and were excellent in defence courtesy of committed displays from the solid Keightley, Brennan and Stafford – who all made telling blocks.
We’ll do it all again on Wednesday night at Penistone as the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie goes to a replay!
FULL TIME: CITY OF LIVERPOOL 2-2 PENISTONE CHURCH
CITY OF LIVERPOOL: Ben Barnes, Mike Fitzgerald (Jordan Wynne 90′), Jack Hont, Nick Ryan, Mike Grogan, Michael Simpson, Tom Croughan (Jay Salkeld 63′), Ethan Jones, Danny Mitchley (c), Josh Quarless, Xenon Bahula.
Subs not used: Calvin Hare (GK), Max Allen, Baba Conteh.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
There’s only man really isn’t there? The supporters unanimously voted for Josh Quarless for his brace of stunning strikes which bagged the Purps a replay on Wednesday.
MANAGER’S INTERVIEW:
Macca gave an honest reflection at full time and praised the stunning strikes from Quarless which bagged the Purps a replay.
NEXT UP:
It’s a quick turnaround for City of Liverpool, as we take the trip to Penistone for the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay on Wednesday night.
Kick off is 7:45 at the Parker Roofing Memorial Ground.
