Match Reports 2011-2012

Date	Opposition	Score	Match Report, Captain's Comment & Weekend Results
17th Sept	Maghull      (ML)	4-1	What weather for the start of the new season.  Gusting winds and lashing rain met us on the fields of Maghull High School for our first game of the season.  The lads took to the pitch in our away strip of blue shirts, red shorts/socks.   As the rain stopped the referee blew his whistle and the game was underway.  The first five minutes were quite even before we started  to take control.  We could have been 1-0 up just inside 10 minutes after clever work from David McDonnell put him through one on one with the Maghull keeper.  Although the angle was against him David elected to shoot and the Maghull keeper made a good save with his feet.  With a bit more awareness David would've spotted Emerson to his left and a square ball would have left Emo with an open goal and surely a 1-0 lead. We didn't have to wait too much longer for the break through.  Another attack led to a corner and David's inswinger was met by a controlled side footed volley from Emerson to give us the lead we deserved.  Our slender lead was soon doubled after fantastic work down the left by Charlie Jolley ended up with him being fouled inside the Maghull area.  The referee quite rightly pointed to the spot and after being asked to pass it in, Dylan Fletcher (captain) smashed home the resulting penalty to put the game firmly in our hands. Half Time: Maghull 0 - 2 Liverpool With the wind against us in the second half we knew that we had to concentrate to stop a Maghull comeback.  Again, the half started evenly before a good passing move led to Michael Mullen weaving his way in to the box.  His pull back was asking for the ball to be finished but unfortunately it became stuck under Lucas Halewood's feet and the chance was gone.  We began to think we might pay for missed 1st half and 2nd half chances when a cross field ball skimmed off the surface and our goalkeeper James lost control of the ball.  He was up quick enough to delay the shot from the Maghull forward but the Maghull player did well and remained composed; finishing high into the net past our keeper and three covering defenders on the line.  It was now game on. Our lads kept pushing forward for a third goal and after Maghull cleared their lines from another Liverpool attack, Joe Santamera hoisted a long ball forward.  Michael Mullen controlled the ball dead, before advancing on the Maghull keeper and cooly finishing into the far bottom corner with ten minutes to go. A couple of minutes the later the scoring was complete as a Liverpool corner was cleared to just outside the box by a Maghull head.  Chad Harnick moved on to the ball before delievering an arrowed 25 yard shot past their keeper and into the back of the net off the foot of a post. The lads were clearly delighted with the win as joyful shouts filled the air on the sound of the referee's final whistle.  A good result to start the season. Let's push on from here boys. Captain's Comment: What a great start to the season a 4-1 victory over a good Maghull team, the lads played well and deserved the win. Peace out Dylan Weekend Results Kirkby 1 - 2 Huyton, Maghull 1 - 4 Liverpool, St. Helens 3 - 2 Prescot, Warrington 3 - 4 Halton, Wirral 2 - 0 Bootle.
24th Sept	Kirkby        (ML)	6-0	The sun shone on our recently cut pitch and the surface at Walton looked perfect for playing football on as we welcomed Kirkby Schools for our first home league game of the season.  The boys started the game brightly and we were soon into our stride.  We passed the ball well and began to find space against a well organised Kirkby side.  Our first real chance of the game fell to David, who running on to an angled through ball from Dylan, took an excellent first touch before dragging his shot wide of the far post.  More chances followed and we were thwarted by the very impressive Kirkby goalkeeper.  Our corner count was rising and Chad Harnick had gone close with a couple of headers but the game remained goalless. Midway through the first half we got the breakthrough our play deserved.  David, playing out wide on the right, received a fine pass from Ben Halewood.  He reached the byline before cutting the ball back for Emerson Kenny to run on to and thump home from 12 yards out.  It was a fine finish to a well worked move.  Minutes later, Michael Mullen, weaved past two players just inside the box but his angled drive crashed back, high up off the post and we went in at half time with a slender lbut well deserved lead.  Half Time: Liverpool 1 - 0 Kirkby The boys again began the second half the stronger of the two sides and we kept playing football and remaining patient as we waited for a second goal that would effectively kill the game off. That came when Kirkby played the ball out for a throw in midway in their own half.  David, thinking as cleverly as his feet move, took a quick throw in and it released Emerson Kenny one on one.  The big man kept his composore and produced a fine, driven shot that hit the net as it was still rising and we had the two goal lead our play deserved. Emerson completed a deserved hat-trick ten minutes into the second half when he met an excellent delivery from Ben Halewood with a glancing header that left the Kirkby keeper with no chance and it nestled into the far corner.  He left the field to well deserved applause from his team mates and our supporters as he was replaced by Lucas Halewood.  Less than two minutes later it was 4-0 after a rare communication error between the Kirkby centre backs and their goalkeeper left Michael Mullen staring at an open goal: a gift he calmly took to claim his second goal of the season. A fifth goal arrived following yet another dangerous delivery from the right.  David's excellent cross caused chaos in the six yard box and was turned home at the far post by Jack Sadler for his first goal of the season.  The final goal of the game came when Anthony Gordon recieved the ball and beat his man before calmly finishing past the on rushing goalkeeper. All credit must go to the Kirkby players who never let their heads drop and who had a couple of counter attack chances at 1-0 to get themselves back in to the game but an excellent team performance from our boys, with fantastic delivery in to the box through out the game ensured we finished with a result that matched the performance.Captain's Comment Captain's Comment:  An excellent performance from the lads, we showed how far we have come as a team. "The difference between winning and losing lies in the team's determination". In a bizzle Schoolboys, Dylan. Weekend Results: Huyton 0 - 0 Wirral, Prescot P - P Bootle, Liverpool 6 - 0 Kirkby, Halton P - P St. Helens, Warrington 4 - 4 Maghull.
1st Oct	Huyton       (ML)	1-1	The playing surface at King George V Playing Fields looked good as the lads stepped on to the pitch for the 'derby' match against Huyton with both sides looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season. As all derbies do, the game started at a frantic pace and both sides were guilty of squandering possession far too easily.  Bobby, playing up front for Huyton caused a lot of problems early on with his strength and direct running but our defence made a couple of last ditch tackles and remained organised to nullify the threat he caused. Midway through the first half saw us take the lead after our first good build up of the match led to a corner on the right hand side.  David whipped the ball in superbly and Emerson Kenny, deployed as an emergency centre back, buried the header for his fifth goal of the season. It could have been two a couple of minutes later as we began to take control in the closing stages of the first half.  Anthony Gordon turned well in the box, leaving the defender in his wake before just firing wide of the far post from a tight angle.  Bobby had the last chance of the half for Huyton - his shot being well saved by our keeper, Michael Routledge. Half Time: Huyton 0 - 1 Liverpool The second half saw Huyton begin the stronger of the two sides, this pattern continued for the majority of the half.  As we sat deeper and deeper, Huyton pushed forward in wave after wave of attack in search of the equaliser.  This duly arrived - like our goal - from a corner kick on the right hand side.  We failed to clear the delivery properly and one of the Huyton players was on hand to lash the ball home from eight yards out. In all honesty, it was a much deserved equaliser.  Again following events in the first half, Huyton could have had a second minutes later when a long ball eluded pur back four to leave Bobby in the clear.  It looked a certain goal until the boot of Emerson Kenny blocked his shot and the ball was diverted away for a corner. With tackles flying in all over the park, it was very strange to see the only yellow card of the game go to Daniel Douglas for a shirt pull on the Huyton winger.  We finally gained control of the match in the final five minutes and put the Huyton goal under some pressure for the first time in the half.  Lucas was unlucky with a dribble at the edge of their area before the final talking point of the game. With seconds left David delivered a corner from the right which was met again by the head of Emerson Kenny, as the ball headed to the top corner the referee blew for a Huyton free kick for a foul that no body shouted for or asked for.  If it had stood Huyton would've felt extremely hard done by and our performance didnt warrant the three points.  We were lucky to leave with the one we had. Captain's Comment:  A very tough game against Huyton, we never really played as we know we can, but most importantly we are still unbeaten and top of the league with the draw, even though we scored a perfectly good goal at the end.  We all know that when we play our own game we will come out on top who ever it is - so see you at our place Huyton.  Hardwork will overcome talent.  Hardwork and talent will overcome anything.  Love you boys. Dylan
8th Oct	Wirral        (ML)	3-0	We welcomed Wirral to Walton Soccer Centre this Saturday in search of a win that would take us clear of our rivals in this top of the table clash.  After a below par performance last week, the boys had trained well on Friday evening and knew the importance of this game.  This game also saw a schoolboy debut given to Elliott Richards from Holy Name who came in at right back as Ben Halewood moved to centre back as Joe Santamera was out injured.  Also on the sidelines through injury was Ellis Bate and Charlie Jolley came back in to the side on the left of midfield. Determined to put things right from last week, the boys started quickly and immediately forced a corner in the first minute of the game.  David trotted over from the right to deliver an inswinger that left his boot and travelled straight in directly from the corner kick.  This galvanised the lads and we played some excellent football in the following minutes.  Another corner saw David switch tact and play it short to Daniel Douglas.  His pull back found Dylan Fletcher running on to it at the edge of the box and his well hit shot was just the wrong side of the top corner as we pressed for a second goal.  At this stage Wirral looked to be clinging on as they struggled to get a foot hold in the game; the first minute goal appeared to have shocked them after they kept 2 clean sheets in their first 3 games. Our deserved second goal of the game came courtesy of Emerson Kenny (his 6th goal in 4 games).  Dylan, who was pulling the strings in the middle of the park, found David out wide and his near post ball was cleverly turned past the keeper in to the far corner, as Emerson muscled infront of his marker. At this stage we were dominating the game and our full backs pushed on and supported our attacking play superbly.  Wirral's only chance of the half came as we were caught upfield and clever play by the Wirral forwards forced a corner.  The head of Chad Harnick ensured the ball was cleared and minutes later the half time whistle blew. Liverpool 2 - 0 Wirral The boys took to the pitch in the 2nd half with the same half time scoreline as the Maghull game and knew the importance of the next goal.  Back at Maghull it had gone to our opponents and we were on the back foot.  Today was a different matter. Again we started the half extremely quickly, forcing Wirral back into their defensive third and as Wirral cleared their lines after our first spell of pressure the ball fell to Ben Halewood just inside our half.  He controlled well before picking out David with a glorious ball angled driven ball that took out the left centre back and left back.  David ran on to the ball and his fierce shot from 18 yards out was still rising as it hit the back of the net.  David had scored in the first 90 seconds of both halfs!  With the game won, our boys kept possession sensibly and probed for openings as we looked for a fourth and it was our substitute Lucas (on for Michael Mullen) who very nearly found it.  David played a clever reversed through ball and as Lucas was about to shoot the Wirral keeper narrowed the angle and saved well at his feet.  Our impressive debutant, Elliott Richards, was replaced by Jack Sadler at right back.  The back four, marshalled by Andrew Begbie and Ben Halewood, remained tight and repelled Wirral's attacks in the final few minutes as much like ourselves last week, they had more of the ball in the final five minutes.  The referee's final whistle brought to an end a very good, very determined and excellent team performance. Final Result Liverpool 3 - 0 Wirral Captain's Comment:  Hello boys, we're back on track, back to our winning ways.  From start to finish we were in control.  We are top of the league so say 'we are top of the league.  'You can't just beat a team, you have to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see you again'. Potatoes x
15th Oct	Warrington (ML)	7-1	After our victory over Wirral last week, we welcomed the boys of Warrington to the Soccer Centre on a fine autumnal morning.  Some oernight rain had left the playing surface near perfect, as the ball zipped around in the warm up.  We started the game well and soon had Warrington penned back inside their final third.  We prodded and probed for the first five minutes before Charlie Jolley picked the ball up just outside the box.  He ran at the first defender and beat him on the inside, a second defender came to challenge and Charlie skipped round the outside of him.  A third defender came across and Charlie dropped his shoulder and went round him before firing across the goalkeeper into the far corner. Dylan, let fly from 20 yards out not long after the opening goal but his wondrous strike smashed against the bar, when the shot deserved the ball to find the back of the net.  This led to prolonged pressure without a further break through and this in turn led to frustration from our players and we were guilty of shooting from 30 yards out on a number of occasions as we struggled to create clear cut chances.  It was this long distance shooting though that led to our second goal.  Emerson picked up the ball 25 yards out and delivered a shot on target.  The ball bounced just before the keeper and hit the corner of the net after ricocheting off the keepers arm.  It was Emerson who scored our third goal before the break.  A pull back from Charlie was delivered into the box by Daniel Douglas and his cross evaded the centre backs to leave Emerson with a simple finish at the back post. Half Time: Liverpool 3 - 0 Warrington The boys reentered the field of play and continued to dominate both possession and territory, ensuring most of the play took place in Warrington's final third.  A fourth goal came courtesy of our centre back, Joe Santamera.  David delivered a corner from the right that hit Anthony and fell kindly for Joe to smash the ball home from close range. Our fifth came after some excellent full back play by Ben Halewood.  He picked the ball up and went on one of his trademark sprints up the right hand side.  Bypassing our winger, Anthony, and the Warrington left mid and left back.  He then looked up and cooly found David, who scored his third goal in two games with a well taken finish. Michael Mullen scored our sixth goal of the game as he danced round players in the box before finding the corner of the net with a well placed finish. Instead of pushing us on further, this goal then led to a sustained period of Warrington pressure as we lost our shape due to players pressing on in the hope of adding more goals to the score line.  The result of this was a Warrington break, when their midfield and forwards had a free run at our back four and a long range shot was tipped on to the underside of the bar by our goalkeeper, Michael Routledge. Andrew Bebgie, outstanding again at the back, then cleared the ball against the underside of the bar again and as we scrambled it away.  The referee signalled that the ball had, at some point, crossed our goal-line and awarded Warrington a goal. Less than 20 seconds after the restart Ben fed his twin, Lucas and he powered his way past the Warrington defenders before expertly rounding the keeper and calmly finishing with his left foot to restore our six goal advantage. Full Time: Liverpool 7 - 1 Warrington Other Scores:  Bootle 3 - 1 Kirkby, Huyton 5 - 4 St Helens,           Prescot 1 - 3 Maghull, Wirral 6 - 2 Halton
29th Oct	York           (PP)	7-0
5th Nov	St. Helens   (ML)	5-1	We turned up to our traditionally tough fixture at St. Helens leading the league by 2 pts from Huyton, with our hosts sitting in 3rd place.  St. Helens started the brighter of the two sides and could have been 2 nil up inside the first ten minutes as we struggled to come to terms with the long ball from their goalkeeper.  We had Our own goalkeeper Michael, to thank for keeping the score 0-0 during this period as he quickly closed the forward down during their first one on one and then made an excellent stop during their second one on one.  Midway through the first half we took the lead following some excellent work by Lucas Halewood.  He dribbled down the left channel before finding Michael Mullen with a defence splitting pass and Michael remained calm to finish cooly in to the far bottom corner.  Our one goal advantage was quickly doubled when David McDonnell provided a cross of the highest quality that was begging to be finished.  As we watched from the sideline Lucas rose like a salmon out of water to power a header into the far top corner.  It was a header Alan Shearer would have been proud of! As the first half drew to a close we were again undone by route one football but wasteful finishing left us to go in at half time 2-0 up. The second half began very much like the first with our defence being tested by their goalkeepers (who changed at half time) long punt forward.  Chad, sitting slightly deeper, began to get his head on their clearances and as always, we tried to get the ball down to play on what was becoming a slightly boggy pitch. Our third goal of the game came courtesy of an attacking header from Chad Harnick after another quality delivery by David from a corner kick on their left hand side. With ten minutes to go, St. Helens scored a goal that could've made it nervy for us.  We failed to clear a corner properly and the ball was eventually rammed home to peg our advantage bak to two goals.  We didn't panic though and were rewarded with a fourth goal when Michael found David in space on the right and he finished well after a surging run to claim a well deserved goal.  Our final goal of the game came from the right foot of our captain, Dylan Feltcher, who smashed the ball home following yet another dangerous delivery into the box from a corner by David. Final Score: St. Helens 1 - 5 Liverpool Captain's Comment: I think we played well as a team on a poor pitch we deserved the win and tried to play the better football. "Aim for the sky and you will reach the ceiling, Aim for the ceiling and you will stay on the floor". Elsewhere, a 6-0 win for Huyton against Bootle (our next opponents) kept them hot on our heels.
12th Nov	Bootle        (ML)	2-2	We welcomed Bootle to Walton Soccer Centre on a lovely autumnal saturday morning.  A freshly cut pitch had the playing surface immaculate and we looked forward to a good game of football as the teams took to the field. Unusually for us, we started slowly and went behind after barely 3 minutes when Bootle broke away down our right hand side.  A pin point cross was guided past our keeper Michael, who had no chance, and we were faced with chasing a game for the first time this season. The boys responded well and began to gain control of the game.  We were creating chances and finding space behind their back four.  Our equaliser came courtesy of a 25 yard free kick.  Dylan powering the ball past the keeper after a clear foul.  It was the boot of Dylan again who put us infront with ten minutes of the first half remaining.  He was played clear by Emerson and prodded the ball past the onrushing keeper to ensure we went in at half time a goal to the good. Half Time: Liverpool 2 - 1 Bootle The second half started very much like the first.  Bootle, now playing 5 across midfield, began the brighter and we couldn't gain control of the ball as it pinballed around in our half.  Bootle's pressure told when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of our box after a push by Daniel Douglas.  The resulting free kick was turned home by one of four incoming Bootle players from a yard out and the game was all square again. The game then ebbed and flowed with both sides creating  chances to re-take the lead.  Our best chances fell to Anthony Gordon and Dylan Fletcher, who both ran wide with their first touches instead of driving towards goal.  We had a late penalty appeal turned down and David McDonnell hit the bar with 90 seconds left on the clock but a win would have been unjustified (but much welcomed) after an overall poor performance.  We do however, remain unbeaten and the boys should take inspiration from that.  As always, we will be back bigger, better and stronger.  Come on lads!!!
26th Nov	Prescot (ML)	4-0	We welcomed Prescot to Walton Soccer Centre on Saturday for the 8th game of our league campaign.  With players missing there was increased pressure on the starting 11 to deliver after our last league game ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Bootle (a result that allowed Huyton to join us with 17pts apiece at the top of the league). The game started slowly and it took us awhile to dominate possession of the ball and territory.  When we did, Prescot remained well organised and cleared their lines well.  However it was only going to be a matter of time before we broke their spirited resistance.  The breakthrough came courtesy of Patrick Carney (welcomed back after a successful season with our under 10s last year) who finished well from 20 yards out.  A second should have arrived when Lucas burst through on the left before showing an unselfishness in front of goal when he slid the ball to his right to leave Michael Mullen with a simple finish from 6 yards out.  Unfortunately for Michael (who was having an outstanding game for us) the bal stuc under his feet and by the time he had recovered to shoot, a Prescot defender blocked the shot.  A second did soon follow when we broke away down the left again and the ball was delivered across the goal.  Anthony chased it down and played a one - two with Michael Mullen before finishing cooly into the far corner. A third goal duly arrived on the stroke of half time when David, playing wide on the left, was brought down.  His resulting free kick deflected off the head of a Prescot player and looped into the far corner of the goal (seeing as it was on target the dubious goals panel have decided to award David with the strike). Half Time: Prescot 0 - 3 Liverpool The second half saw us keep control of the game and once again, dominate possession and territory although we scored only a solitary goal to add to our 3 goal half time lead.  This came courtesy of the boot of David, who scored his second of the game, with a well taken shot from 18 yards out.  Joe Santamera, replaced Lucas with 15 minutes to go, enabling Emerson Kenny to move from centre back to centre forward and he should have made it five after clever play from Michael Mullen.  However Emerson shot straight at the keeper to leave the score at 4-0. Lucas then re-entered the play, replacing Anthony Gordon, and showed some good play on the right creating another chance that we squandered. The postponement of the Huyton v Halton game means we move 3 points clear at the top, with Huyton having a game in hand.
3rd Dec	Hull            (PP)	4-2	Saturday saw us travel the length o the M62 for our second Pennine Premier League Game against Hull. We travelled with a squad of 14 and arrived well in time for what is traditionally a tough fixture on a spongy 3G Astro. The wind, moving across the pitch, was going to play a factor and the first five minutes of the game was played in the right hand side of our half with a succession of throws that neither team could take control of. After a close opening ten minutes we created our first real chance of the game and went 1-0 up.  Lucas Halewood was played through on the right and did superbly well to outmuscle two Hull defenders before firing a cross-shot across goal.  Charlie Jolley, who had obviously listened to our instructions in friday's session came steaming in at the back post from the left flank to side foot past their keeper. We gained confidence from this and began to stroke the ball about nicely.  Patiently building attacks and we were rewarded when Lucas forced a corner on the right.  David delivered and Hull's half clearance fell to the right boot of Chad who slammed home from 12 yards out. Lucas was causing all sorts of problems with his strength and pace for the Hull backline and he nearly scored a third in the closing minutes of the 1st half. Half Time: Hull 0 - 2 Liverpool The second half saw us passing the ball well and controlling the game.  After 5 minutes another patient build up found CHarlie Jolley he was fouled 30 yards from goal.  David placed the ball down and struck a fearsome right footed shot that the keeper had no chance of saving.  With ten minutes of the game left, we gave away a silly free-kick 30 yards out and the Hull number 10, who had looked impressive when on the ball, reduced the deficit to 3-1 with a well struck goal.  This seemed to bring Hull to life and with 5 minutes left they attacked down the right and forced a corner.  The ball was delivered into the box and finished by a Hull head from close range. Suddenly, from being in complete control, we found ourselves on the back foot as Hull pushed in search of an equaliser.  In injury time we gave away another silly free kick and Hull piled everyone forward, leaving Lucas one on one at the back.  The ball was delivered into our box and Chad headed clear, but only to a Hull player.  As the player took a touch, Chad closed him down and emerged with the ball.  He spotted Lucas and played a superb ball that Lucas picked up just inside the Hull half.  He again, outmusculed the defender and charged towards goal before finding the far corner from 18 yards out with a sublime finish.  You could almost hear 'you think it's all over...it is now,' as the lads charged to Lucas to celebrate a well earned win.
7th Jan	Wirral (North West Cup)	3-2	We arrived at Wirral for what was surely going to be a closely fought North West Cup Semi Final.  On a blustery day, and after a month off, the boys were always going to have to roll their sleeves up and play their hearts out to earn a place in the final. We started the game brightly and justr like the league encounter, we were soon 1-0 to the good.  A quick throw by Dougo was played back to him by Charlie Jolley and his wonderful cross was rammed home by David McDonnell (who had moved infield from his wide right position).  We could and should have had more as the first half went on.  Patrick Carney hit the post from 20 yards out, Lucas tore through the Wirral defence before the goalkeeper thwarted his efforts to go round him and their keeper kept them in the game again late on in the half - making an outstanding shot from a goalbound shot by Dylan Fletcher.  Half Time Wirral 0 - 1 Liverpool.  With the wind at their backs Wirral started the second half the stronger of the two teams and 10 minutes into the half the scores were level.  A neat through ball split our defence open and one of the Wirral players struck a shot towards goal, Michael parried the ball out but it only went to a Wirral shirt and the ball was poked home. This goal seemed to kick start our second half and we began to take more and more control of the game.  We were rewarded for our efforts when Lucas Halewood calmly finished past the Wirral keeper after a very good team move. With Wirral trying again to get the scores level, we found more space when we had the ball and Patrick Carney, breaking the offside trap, bundled the ball home first time past the onrushing keeper to make it 3-1. As the game entered the last few minutes, Wirral made it uncomfortable for ourselves when they scored again to make it 3-2.  The ball breaking to one of their players who fired home from the edge of the box.  The final whistle went and we were in our first final of the season.  Well done boys!
14th Jan	Bootle (h) Everton Cup 1st Round	2-0	We entertained Bootle in the 1st round of the Everton Cup and after our league game earlier in the season ended 2-2 we knew we had to be on our game to secure the win.  With a delayed kick off due to overnight frost, the boys started really quickly and created some excellent chances in the opening minutes.  Emerson Kenny hit the post, fired just wide from 20 yards out and a David McDonnell shot also went close as we pressed forward in search of an early goal. The goal came courtesy of Emerson Kenny, after more good interplay the ball was slipped through to Emerson and he outmuscled the defender to leave himself clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat.  He did so expertly and we were 1-0 up. More chances came from our good interplay and the fact that Bootle were playing a very high defensive line.  Chances came and went and our best one fell to our Captain, Dylan Fletcher, who lobbed the ball over the onrushing Bootle keeper but watched as it fell agonisingly wide of the far post. As the half time whistle sounded we left the pitch knowing we had put in arguably our best first half performance of the season - even if the scoreline didnt reflect this. Half Time:  Liverpool 1 - 0 Bootle The words composure and clinical were mentioned at half time and we started the second half brightly.  Yet more and more chances came and went as we either fired straight at the Bootle keeper (who was having an excellent game) or when we did beat him, a covering defender was on hand to clear the ball of the line.  As the second half wore on and we pushed for a second goal to kill the game, Bootle began to hit us on the break and we had Michael Routledge to thank for keeping the scoreline 1-0 when he pulled off an outstanding reflex save to divert a goalbound shot away from danger. With ten minutes Lucas, Patrick and Anthony were brought on to help us find a way past the Bootle defence and keeper.  It was Lucas who secured the win in the dying minutes when he was put clear by Dylan Fletcher, he beat the keeper to the ball and his shot flew into the far corner. Maghull await us in the next round as we look to defend the Cup we shared with Wirral at Goodison last season.
18th Feb	Maghull (h) Everton Cup Quarter Final	4-0	It's hard to believe that our last game was over a month ago and I was half expecting a snowstorm on friday night and the dreaded call to say the game had been called off again.  Luckily, this didnt happen and we took to the pitch at 9.30 to warm up for what was going to be a difficult Quarter Final.  Maghull caused us a lot of problems on the opening day of the season and we knew we were in for a tough game. We got off to the best possible start when with less than two minutes on the clock, Anthony Gordon, playing out on the left showed quick feet to create space for himself in the box.  His far post cross was met by David McDonnell who needed no second inivitation to fire the ball home to become joint top scorer this season. We could, and should, have had a second in the fifth minute of the game.  After Maghull pressure we cleared the ball and Emerson span the defender to leave himself clean through 45 yards from goal.  As Emerson bore down, the Maghull keeper advanced off his line and denied Emerson as he tried to round him. We did double our lead five minutes later after yet more good work down the left from Anthony Gordon.  This time the ball arrived at the feet of Patrick Carney and he smashed the ball home from 25 yards out. As the half entered its last minute we earned a corner.  Maghull cleared the ball and Joe Santamera ran on to it 30 yards from goal.  His first time strike took a slight deflection and shot into the back of the net to give us a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time. Half Time: Liverpool 3 - 0 Maghull The second half produced only one more goal, as Patrick Carney earned himself a brace with a well taken goal ten minutes from time. All in all, it was a good performance from the boys and we can take confidence from this performance into our crucial league encounter with Bootle on Wednesday evening.