Image credit: Braithwaite Photography
Colne progressed to the next round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a hard fought win at City of Liverpool on Saturday. A single goal by Olatunde Bayode after eight minutes set them up for a closely contested end to end encounter which the Reds shaded with a good all round team performance.
In the opening stages it was Liverpool who looked the more dangerous and Colne needed to defend against some enterprising attacks by the home side, with James Salkeld having a close range shot blocked in the Red's goalmouth after three minutes. But in Colne’s first counter attack a well measured long pass sent Bayode clear of the Liverpool defence and he found the net with a low shot through the legs of the keeper to give Colne the lead.
Liverpool looked for a quick reply and came close after 18 minutes when Ryan Gibson’s low cross from the bye line was knocked just wide of the near post by the ever dangerous Djavan Pedro.
Colne battled hard in midfield and kept Liverpool at bay with some great defensive work by their back four while creating chances at the other end. Oli Roberts brought a great save from home keeper Theo Roberts to turn his goal-bound shot round the far post after 37minutes .
The second half began with Liverpool pushing forward, but Colne should have increased their lead on the hour when Billy Hasler-Cregg picked up a poor defensive clearance and set up a golden opportunity for Bayode in front of goal, but he chose to lay the ball off and the chance was gone.
Five minutes later Ryan Taylor did well to block a shot by Elliott Johnston in a crowded Colne penalty area as Liverpool threatened and Craig Ellison made a good save to keep out Hallsall’s 25 yard shot at the expense of a corner.
But the Reds continued to make chances at the other end with Reece Webb-Foster linking with Hasler-Cregg and Leon Johnson providing some dazzling runs on his debut. Charlie Russell fired just over the Liverpool goal after 85 minutes when Hasler-Cregg and Johnson combined to set up the chance as Colne stretched the home defence.
With the game in added time Liverpool pressed and a high ball was headed across the Reds goalmouth as Ben Finnley came in at the far post but Ellison made a great driving save to knock the ball away and ensure that Colne held on to their lead and went through to the next round.
Colne F.C. Line Up:
Ellison / Canon-Noren / Dugdale / Winstanley / Dean / Taylor / Russell / Roberts / Bayode** / Webb-Foster / Williams*
Subs:
Dodd / Hasler-Cregg* / Johnson** / O'Halleron / Turner
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