Liverpool ran out convincing 6-0 winners over County Tyrone at the Ballymena Showgrounds, producing a clinical display of passing football to see off the threat of the local side.
Tyrone’s best chance of the match came in the first minute as they ran through on goal only for a superb goal line clearance from Liverpool defender Abdi Sharif to keep the scores level. Parity in the scoreline wasn’t to last for long however as a neat team move by Liverpool resulted in Glen McCauley slotting the ball beyond Neil Kilpatrick to give the Merseysiders a ninth minute lead. Rhys Williams came close to doubling his side’s lead but volleyed over from inside the box on 18 minutes. Liverpool were not to wait long for their second goal as three minutes later their second arrived gift wrapped in a box. An excellent cross from Harrison Pithers was turned into his own net by a Tyrone defender in an unfortunate mix up in the area. Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure as the first half wore on, with Rhys Williams, Andrew Scott and Reece McGinley all going close, working Tyrone goalkeeper Louie Moulden hard in the process.
Any hopes of a second half Tyrone fight back were extinguished early on as a Liverpool goal glut ensued. Smart build up play involving Neco Williams and Dan Griffiths resulted in the latter squaring the ball across goal for Glen McCauley to slot home his second of the evening. McCauley blew a great chance for a hat trick moments later but fired over when well placed in the box. Neco Williams was next to threaten for Liverpool but his powerful effort was denied by a superb block by Tyrone captain Luke Ferguson.
Williams was again involved moments later as he linked well with Glen McCauley who found Curtis Jones in space in the box, Jones composing himself before producing a neat finish into the bottom corner to make it four. The fifth arrived soon after, a lung busting run down the left from Reece McGinley allowed McCauley and Jones to link once more, the latter producing another smart finish to bag his brace. With just minutes remaining Alex Turner found Reece McGinley in space to score Liverpool’s sixth and compound a frustrating night for County Tyrone, who never gave up against their more illustrious opponents.
Next up for Tyrone is a clash with County Armagh in Ballymoney tomorrow, (kick off 5.30pm) whilst Liverpool take on GPS FC Bayern at the Coleraine Showgrounds, (kick off 7.30pm).
Match Report by Jordan Miller.