City of Liverpool manager Paul McNally was pleased with their ‘comfortable’ 4-0 win over Widnes.
Captain Nathan Burke stepped up to slot two penalties with James Steele and Michael Simpson adding to the tally.
Steele took his tally to six for the season as Simpson, who was introduced late on, opened his account with an expertly crafted finish.
The Purps barely moved out of second gear during their win as they made it an unhappy return for former manager, Michael Ellison.
McNally told Off The Park: “I thought we were quite comfortable, I thought we dominated most parts of the game. The only threat I thought they were going to score from was a set-piece, we were full value for our win. It’s a clean sheet and very comfortable so I’m happy with that and how comfortable we was.
“There was times where it was very pedestrian, the ball was moving side to side, we were controlling it. In recent weeks, we’ve controlled games but they were looking to counter us and get us on the break, in previous times that would’ve worked but we were well equipped. Our comfortable defence and our midfield had enough protection to cover that threat.”
They returned to winning ways at the weekend as Jack Walls scored a last-minute winner to secure the points against Kidsgrove Athletic.
MATCH REPORT: City of Liverpool 4-0 Widnes: Burke’s brace hits the spot as Purps punish Whites
WIDNES REACTION: Widnes manager Michael Ellison frustrated by City of Liverpool drubbing
That was followed up with a routine display and possibly one of the easier wins they will notch up this season.
The Purps boss isn’t getting ahead of himself, however, and insists he hasn’t looked at league table – which makes for better reading from when he took over.
“Back-to-back wins, I’m happy with that,” he added. “We’ve got another game on Saturday but we’re taking each game as it comes. I’ve not looked at the table, I’m not looking, it’s game by game and see where we go.”
The performance on the whole pleased the City of Liverpool boss but one of his defender’s came in for particular praise as he nullified any threat that came their way.
He continued: “The enthusiasm, the energy, the endeavour and the control of the game, I’m happy with how we controlled it at times. When we wanted to play we could play, when we wanted to penetrate them, we could, when we wanted to kill the game we could.
“Player-wise, there was a number of players who impressed me, Danny Shaw was immense, I thought he was outstanding at centre-half, aerial bombardment and he dealt with everything, he was assured.
“I know it’s usually the midfield and attackers that get the plaudits but I was particularly proud of him, he was quality.”
