Litherland Remyca Res welcomed Marshalls to Litherland Sports Park on 12 April 2025 for a league encounter that kicked off at 2:00pm. The home side emerged victorious with a convincing 3-1 scoreline, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical discipline throughout the match.
Litherland lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Ged Gustafson took his place in goal, while a back four comprised of Josh Rice and John Graham as right and left defenders, respectively, flanked central defenders Aaron Rutherford-Spence and Michael McDonald. Paul Cliffe operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking play between defence and attack. Ahead of him, Joseph Forrester and Cameron Taylor occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles, providing width and creativity. Up front, Junior Siyakholwa, Sean Keyes, and Elliot Taylor formed a dynamic trio, with Keyes leading the line as the central striker.
The substitutes for Litherland included Tom Carney, Anthony Griffith, and Dylan Riley, who were poised to make an impact should the need arise.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage, but it was Litherland who struck first. In the 20th minute, Elliot Taylor was awarded a penalty after being fouled in the box. He confidently converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and giving Litherland a 1-0 lead.
As the first half progressed, Marshalls began to find their rhythm and equalised just before the break. In the 44th minute, they capitalised on a defensive lapse from Litherland, finding the back of the net to level the score at 1-1. The teams went into half-time with the match finely poised.
The second half saw Litherland come out with renewed determination. In the 59th minute, Josh Rice restored their lead with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area, making it 2-1. The home side's confidence surged, and they began to dominate possession.
In the 63rd minute, Litherland made their first substitution, bringing on Tom Carney for Paul Cliffe in a tactical switch aimed at bolstering their midfield presence. The change paid dividends as Litherland continued to press for a third goal.
However, the match took a contentious turn in the 76th minute when Anthony Griffith entered the fray, replacing Sean Keyes. Griffith's introduction was marred by a yellow card for violent conduct just six minutes later, as he was cautioned for a reckless challenge.
Despite the setback, Litherland maintained their composure and extended their lead in the 85th minute. Elliot Taylor struck again, netting his second goal of the match and sealing the victory at 3-1. His performance was nothing short of exceptional, earning him the title of Player of the Match.
As the match drew to a close, Litherland made their final substitution in the 89th minute, with Dylan Riley coming on for Junior Siyakholwa. The home side comfortably saw out the remaining minutes, securing a well-deserved three points in front of their modest crowd of 21 supporters.
Referee Scott Allanach officiated the match with a commendable performance, ensuring the game flowed smoothly despite the occasional flare-up. Litherland Remyca Res will take great confidence from this victory as they continue their campaign in the league.
