Beyond Liverpool and Everton the region is home to an array of non-league clubs. But how are they getting on after the start of the season? Dan Hickey takes a closer look.

5) City of Liverpool

Bottom of this list is the Purps, as they currently lie 17th in the Northern Premier League Division One West. They’ve had a rough start to the season, losing their first four games in the league. This led to Michael Ellison being relieved of his duties as first team manager.

They have since appointed Paul McNally with the hopes of kick starting their season. McNally didn’t immediately hit the ground running as his first two league games ended without any points. However, a 3-2 away win against Hanley Town saw a change in form for the fan owned club. They have now won four of their last six league games and will be looking to begin to climb the table after a poor start to the campaign.

Fans will be hoping former League Two player and new signing, Kevin Ellison, can continue his dazzling form. Ellison has been instrumental in the side’s recent surge with his playmaking ability, assisting his teammates several times this campaign.

4) Bootle FC

Ranking fourth here is The Bucks who are one place above City of Liverpool in the league by only one point. Much like The Purps, Bootle hired a new manager at the beginning of the season in Ste McNulty. This came after a ruthless 4-0 defeat served by a visiting Leek Town.

The Bucks managed to bounce back and pick up some form, only dropping two points in their next three league games, including a 2-1 derby day comeback against City of Liverpool. However, McNulty’s men have struggled for form as the league hits the quarter-way point, with losses in their last five games seeing them drop down to 16th place.

Bootle’s issues are in the goal scoring department and they currently have the fourth worst attack in the league in terms of goals scored. Striker, Tom Peterson, is their top scorer this season after netting three in eight appearances. The Bucks will have to improve going forward otherwise they could continue to drop down the table.

3) Prescot Cables

Cables have had a better start to the season than City of Liverpool and Bootle, sitting eight in the league after 13 games. The Pesky Bulls have bounced back from finishing 18th in a poor showing last season. The side have made it difficult for teams coming up against them, which has led to only losing four league games so far this season. Despite this, Kevin Lynch’s side haven’t been able to string together wins to maintain a good run of form.

There has been improvement from the Cables this season and they’ve shown that they can be competitive in this division. Their last outing was a 2-1 defeat away to now second placed, Mossley. Lynch’s men stayed resilient and were undeterred after going two goals down in the first half. Compared to last season’s 4-1 thumping against Mossley, the side have progressed well and made it much harder for the Greater Manchester team.

If Prescot can pick up some consistency and gain points on the bounce, they could be in for a strong rest of the season.

2) Marine FC

After winning six of their last seven league games, Marine are 9th after a promising start to the season. Marines last outing put a halt to their undefeated streak and caused them to drop three places in the league. Fans will be hoping that this is just a blip in form and that they can get back to winning ways quickly.

They’ve been hitting the back of the net frequently and conceding rarely. Three of the four defeats in the league have only been by one goal, which has led to The Lilywhites having the joint fourth best goal difference in the Northern Premier League.

Marine Flag - Permission granted by club photographer Susan Nugent
Marine Flag – Permission granted by club photographer Susan Nugent

The squad has been bolstered recently with signings such as Sol Solomon, Connor Evans on loan from Crewe Alexandra and Freddie Price. Solomon is quickly making a name for himself in Crosby with three goals in his three league appearances.

Hayden Campbell has also hit the ground running this season with five goals in eight in the league. This exciting start for The Mariners will have the fans hoping for a title charge as they currently trail three points behind league leaders F.C. United of Manchester.

 

1) A.F.C Liverpool

Ranking number one the list is The Little Reds who have had an emphatic start to the season and are currently third in the Northwest Counties League. They’ve had 12 wins from 17 games and proved they’re title contenders this season. Scoring has also been no issue for AFC Liverpool with an excellent goal difference of 22.

The goals have been spread across the squad, but Elliot Hughes and Tom Douglas have been clinical in front of goal and have played a huge part in their outstanding start to the campaign.

However, Matt Potter’s squad have their toughest challenges ahead, facing second placed Wythenshawe Town and top of the league Vauxhall Motors in the coming weeks. The two sides have only one loss between them so The Reds will look to continue their current form and prove themselves against the league’s best.

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