GNE through to next round of FA Cup

GNE booked their place in the next round of the 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup with a victory on the road at Litherland Sports Park.

The fixture marked an ideal point to kick start the Hillmen’s season following 2 defeats in their opening league games. One enforced squad change for GNE boss Richard Brodie was to fill the slot at centre half, following the injury to club captain Olly Parker in midweek, James Badrock slotted into the defence in his place. Loan signing Lewis Reilly sat out the fixture due to cup tie agreements with is parent club Bootle. Richard Brodie’s second change was the addition of Yacin Amarzou to the starting lineup once again.

The early exchanges were mostly frustrating for GNE, as it became clear that this was going to be an afternoon where the Hillmen had to be patient and let the chances come to them to seize opportunities. GNE looked dangerous from wide areas on both sides of the pitch, with great deliveries from both Dylan McMahon and Jamie Nicholson, but forward Tom Lawless struggled to get on the end of the chances, or was beaten by the offside flag a few times. But for the majority of the first half both sides were equally matched and countering each others attacks, but with GNE arguably having the more clear cut chances. The pitch at Litherland Sports Park made it difficult for both sides to really get any rhythm going during passages of play.

It was looking like turning into a frustrating afternoon for the Hillmen as the interval approached, however, that was all to change in the 42nd minute. Tom Lawless got on the end of a through ball into the box on the left hand side and won his side a penalty through a shove from the defender that referee James Atkinson deemed a foul. Lawless stepped up for the penalty and converted to take the lead for the Hillmen at half time. Litherland 0-1 GNE.

GNE knew a good start to the second half was required as the hosts threw both barrels at the Hillmen as the game restarted. GNE withstood the pressure that was thrown at them in the opening stages of the second half. 54 minutes into the game saw the introduction of Leke Ajibode to the game in place of Jamie Nicholson, just 7 minutes later, Ajibode would double the lead for the Hillmen. Tom Lawless showed great strength to fend off numerous defenders on the edge of the box, before placing a low pass to Ajibode who finished neatly into the bottom corner from a quickly tightening angle to make it 2-0 to the Hillmen, a great impact substitution from the GNE management.

The Hillmen got into their stride following their second goal and could’ve added a third on 68 minutes, a through ball from Abdul Djalo found Leke Ajibode who flashed a shot across goal, with Tom Lawless just inches away from making contact at the back stick for GNE. In the 72nd minute, GNE made it 3-0. A throw in from Dylan McMahon was crossed in first time from Lee Rick into the box for Tom Lawless to grab his second goal of the game and GNE’s third, picking up the bits in the box to hit home for the Hillmen.

A late consolation goal for the hosts came through a long range effort in the 83rd minute from a long range effort, and GNE weathered some late pressure from Litherland towards the end of the game, but saw things out to claim their place in the next round of the FA Cup.

After the game, GNE boss Richard Brodie was keen to downplay any major hype around the result, but remained pleased with his sides performance saying, ‘I thought it was thoroughly deserved, everyone to a man, everyone who came on, the subs included played their part, and to be honest, it could’ve been more than 3 goals’.