MATCH REPORT: Liverpool Hope 2’s 2-1 UCLan 4’s

UCLan 4’s faced an agonizing defeat in the final minute of the season when they travelled to Liverpool to take on Liverpool Hope 2’s.

Liverpool Hope started the brighter of the two teams in a first half encounter with not much action.

The first real chance of the match came in the 15^th minute when Liverpool’s #9 got on the end of an inviting cross but he could only steer his effort wide with the goal gaping.

UCLan had another let off just minutes later when a free-kick sailed in and Liverpool’s centre-half misjudged a free header on the edge of the 6-yard-box as it sailed over the bar.

The same centre-half was given a huge let off from the referee just minutes before half-time as he put in a reckless challenge off the ground to UCLan’s Jamal Arfan.

Only a yellow card deemed necessary from the man in the middle.

37' 🟨: Liverpool's number 5 picks up a yellow for a reckless challenge.

Very lucky to not see a red if I'm being honest…

LH 0-0 UCLan

— Kai (@KaiBlacow) March 12, 2025

From the resulting free-kick the man who won the foul, Jamal Arfan, was gifted a huge opportunity unmarked at the back post but the keeper pulls off a fantastic stop.

Half Time: Liverpool Hope 0-0 UCLan

Contrary to the first half, UCLan started much better and a flurry of early chances just wouldn’t find the back of the net as the lively Jamal Arfan struck against the post.

All of Leon Hongkins, Ben Ascroft and substitution Max Fearnley also came very close to gifting UCLan a lead.

However, in the 66^th minute out of nowhere Liverpool Hope took the lead, confusion at the back between UCLan’s defence helped Liverpool’s #14 capitalise on a long ball and he had the simple job of just poking the ball past Archie West.

An instant response from UCLan came in the 70^th minute as Leon Hongkins wicked delivery left the keeper only able to parry the ball infront of him and Ryan Foy was the first to pounce and he nodded the ball home for a swift equaliser.

70' GOAL UCLan!

Leon Hongkins with a powerful effort on goal which the keeper just parries out infront of him and Ryan Foy is there to tap in.

Back in the game!

LH 1-1 UCLan

— Kai (@KaiBlacow) March 12, 2025

The game went flat after the two goals with both sides more trying not to concede than to score.

After a couple of bookings to midfield duo Ben Ascroft and 4’s captain Finn Horner who took part in their final ever match for UCLan, heartbreak struck in the 90^th minute when Vlad Wiggins was penalised for a handball in the penalty area.

Liverpool’s #8 slotted home the penalty to seal victory for Liverpool Hope.

Full Time: Liverpool Hope 2’s 2-1 UCLan 4’s