Liverpool Handball Club completed a 23-18 comeback win against the North-East Manchester Hawks to progress to the quarterfinals of the women’s national cup.
The two teams had already played each other twice in the Handball Premier League this season prior to their cup game with the home team winning both times.
However, it would be the visiting Hawks who looked dominant early in the game as they jumped out to a five-goal lead.
Despite a goal from winger Polly Farrow, Manchester eventually earned a 9-3 lead, their biggest of the game.
But it would be Liverpool who controlled the end of the first half.
Three unanswered goals closed the gap and a two-minute suspension for the Hawks’ Beth Wilbraham helped to bring Liverpool even closer as the half ended 8-10.
The second half started slowly, but Tosca Knight scored to come within one of Manchester and Olivia Gonsalves tied the game shortly after.
Hawks looked to briefly re-find their form scoring two goals in quick succession, but this did not last for long.
Both teams scored back and forth goals with neither able to take the initiative.
With 15 minutes left to play Olivia Gonsalves and Amy Hardwick received back-to-back two-minute suspensions, but the defence held up against Manchester to remain within two.
It would be the top scorer for the game, right winger Krista Jakovleva, who scored to first equalise and then take an 18-17 lead for the Liverpool women, their first of the game.
Rebecca Barnes tied the game shortly after, but Liverpool maintained the advantage and closed the game out by scoring five without conceding.
At the final buzzer the score was 23-18, eliminating the NEM Hawks from the National Cup.
Liverpool’s women look to ride the momentum of this six-goal comeback into their quarterfinal match-up.
