Barnoldswick Town 1 City of Liverpool 3

BARNOLDSWICK Town failed to make it three consecutive league wins in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division after a battling 3-1 defeat to a strong City of Liverpool side on Saturday at the Silentnight Stadium.

Cole Hayman scored late on for Town to provide them with a consolation but slack marking and defensive errors contributed to the home side's downfall.

It was a slow start to the contest, with neither goalkeeper really having a save to make in the first 15 minutes. However City of Liverpool went into the break a goal in front after scoring with a free header.

Disaster struck for Town in the second half as they attempted to get back into the game. A horrible mix-up in their own penalty area gifting the Merseyside team a vital second goal.

Soon after, the away side went 3-0 in front. Again, a cross into the box was met with a free header and the ball was knocked down for a City player to lash the ball into the net.

Hayman managed to find the net with minutes remaining after a neat finish off the post but Liverpool ran out deserved winners in the end.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Barnoldswick manager Danny Craig admitted: "I don't think how we played was too dissimilar to Thursday night but we didn't threaten their goal enough to feel like we deserved something from the game.

"We played some good football but couldn't impact the final third like we wanted to."

He continued: "Credit to Liverpool, who played the conditions well, but it was just one of those days for us.

"We won't be overthinking that one, football does that to you sometimes."