Liverpool
LifeSPORT © Liverpool County FA
15 March 2017
Goalless clash for Tranmere Rovers By SAM HEYHIRST
CHAMPIONS: Merseyside Blind Football Club players
LIVERPOOL BLIND TEAM TRIUMPHS By SAM HEYHIRST and DAVID PURCELL
A blind football team in Liverpool have been crowned champions of England after beating both Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) and West Bromwich Albion on the final day. Following their triumphant win, Liverpool Life spoke to the manager of Merseyside Blind Football Club Steve Cushion about his team’s recent success, as they closed a
four-point gap to capture the title in dramatic fashion. The 33-year-old told Liverpool Life: “It’s a good moment to win the league again, especially going into the last game four points behind the leaders, so it was a very proud moment for the club, the players and the staff, who have all been fantastic.” The last-gasp victory for the Merseyside-based blind club ensured their place in the FA Disability Cup final in May, where they will face West Bromwich Albion or RNC.
While the manager was appreciative of the coverage that the sport has attracted in recent times, as it featured in both the Paralympics Games of 2012 and 2016, he believes there is still more that can be done to raise awareness. “It’s the way it needs to go, to be fair. “I think it’s important that people know about what’s available for all sorts of football, whether that’s disability football, or Futsal, I think it needs to be publicised a bit more - definitely.”
The success of winning yet another league has put a smile on the manager’s face, but there is nothing more satisfying for him to see how much his players are improving, both on the pitch and off. “One of the major barriers that comes with visual impairment is isolation. Being part of the team, once they get involved, makes it so much easier for them to socialise with others. “They are getting out and about and becoming more mobile as well.”
It is not only the FA Disability Cup final up for grabs in the coming months, but the Brian Aarons Cup as well, which is set to take place in April. The manager has said that he has high expectations for his team. Steve Cushion added: “We can definitely win it. “The players have got a great mentality and they are winning games now as well. I definitely think that we have a good chance of wining the two cup finals.”
City of Liverpool triumph over Widnes visitors
By ANDREW LIVINGSTON
It was all cheers of “Ohhhh COL FC” at the final whistle in the Delta Taxis Stadium, as the club secured their first ever cup final with a 4 – 0 aggregate win over Widnes. Goals on the night from John Connolly, David Forbes and substitute Sean Cookson added to Tom Peterson’s away goal to give
City of Liverpool FC a place in the last two of the Reusch First Division Cup. Travelling Widnes had the best of the early opportunities; in the 19th minute, Danny Hand found space inside the box after a quick counter, his shot just took a deflection off the covering Captain, Christopher Lester. Connolly’s opener came late on in the first half.
Mathew William’s free kick from the half way line was poorly cleared by the Widnes defence as it eventually fell kindly in box for the striker to hammer home in front of the Dodge Kop end of the ground. As the second-half came around, the cold air muted the home supporters; the Purple Partisans. However, Forbes’ goal 13 minutes
from time got them cheering again. Declan Gregson’s cross neatly found his partnering winger to score. Once he came, striker Daley Woods looked lively in attack with his pace and used a neat bit of skill for the final goal as he flicked it round his marker for Gregson to attack down his left flank. The winger’s delivery into the box was followed
by a procession of pinball around the goalmouth, leaving the opposition goalkeeper, Owen Wheeler, nowhere when Cookson concluded the game from five yards out. The Purps will no-doubt carry their form from this game into the final run-in the league as they hunt for promotion and onto their cup final.
Relegation-scrapping Torquay held promotion contenders Tranmere in a goalless draw at Plainmoor last night. Rovers came into the game having made changes from the squad which drew 1-1 against Macclesfield last week in the cup, with manager Micky Mellon favouring Lee Vaughan, Connor Jennings, Andy Mangan and Cole Stockton. The away side played last night in the light of their forthcmong semi-final second leg clash with Macclesfield, in what would be their first ever FA Trophy final. Rovers predictably had the better of the contest but could not capitalise on their clear-cut chances. The Gulls also played their part in the fixture, knowing that they would have to invite pressure on from the much stronger side. Jay Harris and Michael Ihiekwe had early chances for Tranmere before a mix-up between Gulls keeper Brendan Moore and team-mate Myles Anderson midway through the first half almost led to an own goal. Similarly, shortly before the break, a goalmouth scramble after Moore failed to clear a free-kick nearly saw the visitors go ahead. Rovers dominated again after the break although Torquay’s Damon Lathrope hit the top of the bar with a 25-yard volley. After the game, Torquay gaffer Kevin Nicholson gave his thoughts on the game: “I thought it was a good game. I thought anybody that came and paid today would’ve seen two teams that were having a real good go at each other. “I think Tranmere are a good side. I think they’ve probably got the best squad of players in the league options to do whatever they want. To have someone like James Norwood and Andy Cook on the bench is incredible.” Rovers will now be looking for a strong run-in to secure the National League play-off spot that they’ve been eying up since December.