Skelmersdale United boss Paul McNally was delighted with his side’s performance as they came from behind to beat City of Liverpool.
The clash was a typical derby with both sides exchanging blows throughout the contest.
Goals from Joe Herbert and Elliot Morris secured the comeback win over the Purps after they went in front through captain Nathan Burke to hand Skem their first win of the season.
“Fantastic win, they’re a great side,” McNally told Off The Park.
“From that first-half performance, there’s not many teams that I’ve seen at this level, they were popping the ball around – they were really at it – we were happy to stay in the game.
“The second half, we done a tactical switch, we adjusted towards the last 10 minutes (of the first-half) and it really worked, I thought we were the better team from that point onwards into the second-half.
“We got a goal against us against the run of play then once we scored, we looked the better team, we were going to score. Listen, I’m elated with that, it’s only three points but it’s a great win.”
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Hailing his side on their comeback, he added: “It was a real team performance there was lads playing out of position, my midfielder Kenny (Strickland) has gone into centre-half, Josh Nicholson played wing-back, Elliot Morris played wing-back – not natural positions for them.
“We’ve matched them in certain areas but I don’t think we were undue that win. On the performance, we deserved that.
“Very open, very open, it was a proper ding-dong wasn’t it? It was a proper old-fashioned derby. Blood and thunder from both teams and I loved it, loved it, great crowd, great game. It was boss.”
Despite leading twice in their curtain raiser against Trafford, they came away disappointed after the visitors bit back on two occasions before sealing the win in stoppage time.
For McNally, he’s pleased with getting off the mark for the season but noticed similarities between City of Liverpool’s performance and their own last time out, he continued: “Saturday (against Trafford)… I’ve just said to Ello (Michael Ellison) and their staff, great first-half and they said you don’t get nothing from it and that was us on Saturday.
“We were great for 60, 70 minutes and didn’t come away with the points (on Saturday). I’m happy we’ve come away with the points and learned from it, I’m happy we got our first three points of the season – that’s the best thing I can say.”
There were some disappointing aspects which could possibly tarnish the result and performance. Right-back Callum Lees trudged off in the first with a supposed muscle injury before Ibrahim Conteh limped off in the second-half.
But McNally is looking to lean on the full complement of his Skelmersdale United squad. He concluded: “A few (injuries) carrying into Saturday, got a couple unavailable for Saturday as well so that’s just the joys of this league, it’s blood and thunder, really physical but that’s what you’ve got to have squad players for.
“I’ve had lads come on and do a job and I’ve had lads come on and not do a job. We’ll rest up, train and we’ll recover and we’ll go again on Saturday. Another derby and another tough game – we move forward.”
