MATCH PREVIEW: Squires Gate v City of Liverpool (FA Cup)

Another big game for Gate this weekend as we look to progress into the next round of the FA Cup.

Pre-Match Build Up
Gate come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win at home to Droylsden on Tuesday night which saw us progress into this round of the FA Cup.

Gate’s first effort came from Brett Dawson but his low shot bobbled into the keepers arms after five minutes.

Ric Seear was next to bare down on goal minutes later after Joey Mullen found his run into the box but Droylsden recovered well and tackled him on the edge of the box.
Gate eventually made their chances count when defender Ben Reader scored his second goal of the season. The defender was unmarked at the back post to tap in to give Gate the lead.

Droylsden became frustrated as the half went on and looked to resort to first time shots but Gate defender well and stood firm to everything they threw at Gate.
Ryan Riley and Joey Mullen had Gate’s last chance of the first half but neither could find the target. Ryan Riley first stung the keepers palms before the ball fell to Joey Mullen who fired over.

The visitors counties to pile on the pressure as the second half got underway. Corners and freekick constantly care into Gate’s box but Gate weren’t tested by the higher league side.

Ryan Riley who was one of Gate stand out players went on a mazy run on the hour mark to win a Gate a corner but the visitors cleared before Gate could capitalise.
Droylsden looked to play their way into Gate’s box after 65 minutes but Ben Fletcher did well to save one on one.

The Away Team
COLFC have started the season in great form four of their five league games. Most notable were wins against promotion rivals 1874 Northwich on the opening day before recently beating Runcorn Town 4-0.

Liverpool started their FA Cup journey with a 3-1 win against Silsden before drawing 1-1 with Glossop North End at Bootle. On Tuesday night the replay against Glossop went to extra time after John McGrath and Jack Hazlehurst had scored, David Forbes found the winner in the 92nd minute.

Since our last meeting the Purps have strengthened with the signings of Craig Cairns from Runcorn Town, and experienced midfielders Karl Clair and Adam Pepper.

Last Time We Met
Gate came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in an exciting fixture at The Brian Addison Stadium.

Jack Hazlehurst gave the visitors the lead after just seven minutes when he reacted quickest when Ben Fletcher spilt a shot from outside the box, to tap in for the lead.
Gate could have levelled the game after thirteen minutes with a great opportunity. Ryan Riley looked to make space in the box but at the key moment scuffed his shot straight into the keepers arms.

Five minutes later and Riley had another great chance. Scott Harries and Jake Higham did well to win the ball back before Riley couldn't Scott Harries cross at the near post.
Liverpool would punish Gate's two great missed chances when they extended their lead. One of Liverpool's form men going into this game, Dean Shacklock who had scored three in his last four games, would curl in a superb individual effort to beat Ben Fletcher from outside the box.

Ryan Riley did well to recover after going down under a challenge from the keeper, he jumped back up before squaring the ball to Scott Harries who fired past Langley in goal.

The momentum was all with Gate who looked the better side in the second half, the visitors perhaps thinking the game was won at half time would be punished in the sixty-seventh minute again by Gate. The ball fell loose in the box from the freekick and with the visitors unable to clear, Dean Ing was in the right place at the right time to tap in past Langley.

The previously mentioned momentum was now clear to see as Gate looked to win the game. That goal would come with eighteen minutes of the game left and what a goal it was! The ball fell to Max Rothwell and from 30 yards out he took aim first time and watched the ball sail into the top corner to give Gate the lead for the first time in the game.

Read the full match report here: Gate 3-2 COLFC

Head to Head
Gate have a perfect record against The Purps with two wins from two games. The first encounter saw a Mark Buchan penalty the difference in a tight game. In the reverse fixture, Gate came from two goals behind at half time to win 3-2. Jack Hazlehurst and Dean Shacklock gave the Purps the lead before goals from Scott Harries, Dean Ing and Max Rothwell won the game for Gate.

Other Premier Division FA Cup Games
Ashton Athletic v Morpeth Town
Congleton Town v Consett
Runcorn Town v Irlam
Warrington Town v Burscough

Admission:
Adults £6, Concessions £3.

Address:
The Brian Addison Stadium
School Road
Marton
Blackpool
FY4 5DS

If you can't make the game on Saturday be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for match coverage as it happens. We'll also have a full match report and pictures on the website on Sunday as well as in Sunday’s Blackpool Gazette.

Updated 12:45 - 30 Aug 2019 by Mark Ashmore