We created a little amount of clear-cut chances but were decisive when we needed to be as we gained a much-needed point against our opponents.

The home side took the lead after some slack passing out of the back as their attacker James Norris finished well following a Harvey Elliot pass. They doubled their lead just before half-time as a fine finish from Jack Bearne gave Ted Sharman-Lowe no chance.

Andy Myers made two half-time changes and altered the shape to accommodate more attackers to try and secure something from the game and his alterations paid off. Joe Haigh was on hand to score the first after some help from Jayden Wareham.

The second was a late volley from Jude Soonsup-Bell after a pinpoint cross from Lewis Hall. It was a brilliant comeback from our boys and will give them confidence as the season draws closer to an end.

Slow start

It was an unchanged line-up two weeks on the bounce from Andy Myers as his team prepared for the test against Liverpool.

We started the game in the relegation zone albeit with a game-in-hand over multiple teams above our development squad.

The Reds were also on an unbeaten streak of their own coming into this game and they started the faster of the two sides, threatening Ted Sharman-Lowe’s goal with incisive play. In the opening 20 minutes of the game, we could only muster one shot on target.

The home side took the lead through James Norris as he was assisted by Harvey Elliot, dispatching cleverly past Sharman-Lowe. They capitalised on a loose ball following an attempt to play out of the back.

Our boys briefly showed a greater intensity following the goal but were struggling to fashion clear-cut chances to trouble Liverpool. However, with eight minutes to go until half-time and Chelsea seemingly in control, our opponents’ lead was doubled through Jack Bearne.

Switch in mentality

A huge team talk was needed as failure to secure at least a point from today’s game would make the task of navigating relegation tougher.

Myers made two half-time changes in the shape of Joe Haigh and Lewis Hall to try and trigger a comeback from his men.

Liverpool were still on top after the substitutions as Sharman-Lowe was by far the busier of the keepers as he made good stops to keep us in the game and his saves proved decisive.

Myers tweaked the shape and the attacking threat increased and deservedly so, we pulled a goal back as Haigh pulled off a fine finish after a great run and pass from Wareham.

The goal galvanised the team as there was now the belief that we could secure something from this game. The direct play that gave us a number of problems in the first half was being dealt with far better in the second.

Late leveller

As the game was drawing to a close Myers made another change bringing on Soonsup-Bell to give us greater attacking impetus. This change proved decisive.

With the full-time whistle approaching and our boys camped in the home team’s half a fantastic cross from Hall found Soonsup-Bell on the edge of the box as he rifled a volley into the far corner of the net. The substitutes combined to score a late equaliser, securing a late but crucial point.

The point will not be enough to take us out of the relegation zone this weekend but with a game in hand over 11th placed Leeds there will be much optimism within the group that safety can be achieved.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Sharman-Lowe; Brodie Hughes, Josh Brooking, Bashir Humphreys (c), Dylan Williams; George McEachran, Xavier Simons (Jude Soonsup-Bell 70); Thierno Ballo, Harvey Vale (Lewis Hall 46), Dion Rankine (Joe Haigh 46); Jayden WarehamUnused Subs: Xavier Mbuyamba, Lucas BergstromScorers: Haigh 58, Soonsup-Bell 90+2Booked: Brooking 39, McEachran 89

Liverpool (4-3-3): Marcelo Filho; Conor Bradley, Rhys Williams, Billy Koumetio, Owen Beck; Tyler Morton, Leighton Clarkson, Harvey Elliot (Thomas Clayton 46); James Balagizi (Max Woltman 68), Jack Bearne, James Norris (Dominic Corness 84)Unused Subs: Jarell Quansah, Oscar KellyScorers: Norris 23, Bearne 37Booked: Beck 78