Prescot Cables welcomed City of Liverpool to the IP Truck Parts Stadium, in what turned out to be a fantastic derby, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
It was the away side who started the encounter brightest of the two. City forward Jamie MacDonald constantly tormented the Prescot backline forcing multiple early chances for his side.
5 minutes in, Kai Shorrock did brilliantly beating his man and produced a wonderful right-footed cross, only for MacDonald to see his header flash just wide of the post.
Proving a handful to deal with, Shorrock minutes later used his excellent turn of pace down the right-hand side to give the Purps’ their closest chance of the game.
After 20 minutes, the away side finally got the goal they most definitely deserved. A wonderful left-footed corner from Louis Corrigan was met superbly by Captain James McCarten, to nod in his first goal for the club.
Dominic Reid did superbly well on the 34th minute mark as he showed great trickery on the edge of the Cables penalty area, but his scuffed effort failed to trouble Mitchell Allen.
The visitors came close to doubling their lead before the interval, as Reid again showed great determination to carry the ball forward for his side. The number 11 got right to the byline before squaring it to Jamie MacDonald who’s effort was again saved by Cables keeper Allen.
Assistant Coach Lee Bignell’s (acting interim manager) decision to change the hosts’ formation at half time turned out to be a pivotal moment, as Prescot came flying out of the traps in the second period and began to tilt the tie in their favor.
First, on 55 minutes, captain James McCullogh was dragged down by Jamie MacDonald, and Matty Hamilton’s smart free-kick was hit hard and low and was dealt with smartly by Owen Wheeler in the Purps goal.
But just two minutes later, the Knowsley based side was handed a huge chance to equalize when some smart work down the right-hand side by Michael Monaghan, lead to Ian Kearmel bringing down the number 7 and a spot kick was awarded to the hosts.
James Edgar coolly placed the spot kick into the top left corner to level the tie at 1-1.
Soon after it was Hamilton involved again, as Jamie Rainford played a beautifully timed ball, over the top of the City of Liverpool backline, only for Hamilton to be denied again by Owen Wheeler when faced one on one.
But all was to be forgiven for the full back, who put the hosts in front on 74 minutes when he smashed a free kick through a sea of bodies to beat Wheeler at the front post, to give Cables a much deserved second half lead.
Michael Monaghan was again proving he was too much to deal with in the second forty-five, as time and time again, the Prescot wide man carved out opportunities for his side and drew the opposition into fouls in dangerous areas.
However, much against the run of play, the away side clawed their way back into the tie, as a huge route one kick from keeper Wheeler evaded the Prescot defense and MacDonald capitalized. His effort lobbed keeper Mitchell Allen to leave the scoreline level at 2-2, with just under 15 minutes to play.
The final few minutes were cagey and fiery, as to be expected, with both sides looking to carve out that final opportunity to hand themselves 3 points on the evening.
But Cables substitute Joshua Klein-Davies tame effort was saved well by Wheeler once again as the contest end in a point for both sides.
A draw in reflection, a fair result for both, as each dominated half of the game respectfully.
Next up for the hosts is a home tie with Frickley this coming Saturday in the FA Trophy’s second qualifying round. Whilst City of Liverpool host Cleethorpes Town in the Trophy too.
