Lancaster draw with Liversedge as both sides spurn chances to win

Lancaster City and Liversedge had to settle for a draw on Tuesday night at the Giant Axe in a match where both sides had chances to win.

Towards the closing stages of their Northern Premier Division clash, City were looking the strongest team and the most likely to score but were unable to come away with all three points.

However, the away side had their fair share of opportunities too and, as reward for keeping them from scoring, Dollies ‘keeper Sam Waller was once again awarded man of the match, following up on his performance on Saturday which earned him the same accolade.

Lancaster applied the pressure in the opening stages. Nico Evangelinos’ effort looked to have been deflected before Josh Mazfari made a smart stop.

Liversedge’s first proper attempt of the game came through Josh Carr, who took too much time on the ball and seemed to get his legs tangled before striking goalwards. His shot was blocked by Sam Bailey.

'Sedge had another opportunity from not far out. Josh Barrett could have poked it home but Walker’s arm blocked the shot before he collected the ball.

A couple of great chances for Lancaster went a-begging prior to the half-time whistle. Jack Hardacre cleared a ball off the line before Calen Gallagher-Allison’s headed effort went comfortably over the bar.

Liversedge started the second-half the brighter, but the most notable thing that happened in the opening 10 minutes was Kyle Brownhill, a player who has been exceptional since his arrival in the summer, coming off with an injury and being replaced by Henri Ogunby.

Sam Waller produced some brilliant heroics to deny Casey Stewart the opening goal, and from then on it was the Dolly Blues who had the better chances.

Henri Ogunby’s effort from just inside the box went just wide. Dom Lawson’s attempt was cleared off the line before Dale Whitham smashed an effort against the post.

Brad Carroll had a shot that found the wrong side of goal. That was followed by Nico Evangelinos’ direct free kick that came off the underside of the crossbar.

That was the final major opportunity in a game in which both teams cancelled each other out.

Next up for the Dollies is another home game against Gainsborough Trinity in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Round on Saturday (October 29).