City of Liverpool manager Michael Ellison says they won’t be taking their test with Marine lightly as they look to build on their win over Trafford.
The Purps returned to winning ways after Jack Hazlehurst’s penalty secured all three points against play-off contenders Trafford following their midweek defeat to table-topping Workington.
Ellison noted the considerable change in fortunes for City of Liverpool in light of their defeat to the Mariners the last time they met.
But he says they will be marching into the duel confidently.
He told Off The Park: “[I] Was delighted with the win, they’re a very good side and we made a point to the lads before the game they’re very similar to us, don’t score lots but don’t concede many, the games they play are always tight so we knew it was going to be tight.
“To get our noses in front and once we done that the plan to see the game out and I thought the lads did that. I’m delighted we’ve beaten a really good side, we’ve beaten another team above us so onwards and upwards.
I” don’t think the game was full of quality certainly the first half, I think both sides could play better football than that.
“I don’t think we looked confident playing out from the back which we like to do but some of the lads have missed a lot of football so we went a bit more direct half.
“On chances created, we created four or five really good opportunities but ended up taking the penalty we could’ve made it an easier afternoon. But we’ll take the 1-0 and take the clean sheet.
“When you watch the game back, we looked pretty comfortable, we defended well and we were really hard to break down, it was a different type of performance but one I’m pleased with because we’ve played much, much better and lost so it’s really nice to win a game of football the way we did.
“When we met them last we were in a bad place, we had a lot out with injury, we had some 16-year-old’s playing, lads who weren’t fit and it was tough, they were the better side on the day.
“After that game we regrouped, had two weeks off and I think we’ve been excellent since then even in the game we’ve lost, the performances have been there, got a few lads back.
“They’ve been out of form but they got a really good win on Saturday, they’ve signed or two but they’ve got a really experienced manager and they’re an experienced squad, they’re second in the league for a reason.
“We won’t be taking them lightly but the lads are going into it confidently.”
[Featured image: City of Liverpool]
