South Liverpool met Prestwich Heys in the first round qualifying of the FA Cup on Saturday. The match finished in a 2:2 draw. It was a result that matched the unpredictable nature of these early cup ties.
Both sides found the net twice throughout the ninety minutes. Prestwich Heys took the lead early on before South Liverpool responded. And here's the thing, the visitors equalised before the break and then lost their advantage again. It was a chaotic sequence that left both managers scrambling.
South Liverpool have struggled recently, losing 6:0 to Bury in August. They drew 1:1 with Witton Albion in another fixture that month. To be fair, this point feels like a small mercy for the home crowd.
Prestwich Heys came into this game with mixed results. They beat Witinshaw Town 4:2 but lost 2:0 to Atherton Collieries. By then, they seemed to have found some rhythm against the hosts. The visitors played with more confidence than in their previous outings. Their attack finally looked like it could trouble the home defence.
There were no possession figures or shot counts available for this report. We only know that neither team could close the game out. The match ended without any clear dominance from either side.
The draw sends both teams back to their respective leagues. South Liverpool avoid another defeat on paper. Prestwich Heys move on in the cup without a win, but they did not lose either.