Liverpool U18 2 Ipswich U18 3 (Aug 27 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 2 Ipswich Town U18 3

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - O.G., James Frayne Half Time - 0-2 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 27 Aug 2005 Star Man - Jay Spearing

 

 

 

 

 

A spirited second half fightback wasn't enough to prevent the reds u18s from going down to a 3-2 defeat at home to a talented Ipswich Town side at the Academy. John Owens' side were comprehensively outplayed in the first half, but hit back well after the break and but for some heroics by the Town keeper they would have salvaged a point.

Ipswich are a good side, and last year they won the FA Youth Cup. Several members of that side are still eligible and played against the reds. The difference in ages between the sides was a factor, and the difference is size was very noticeable.

Ipswich had three third years, and seven second years in their side. Owens' team was made up of one third year, three second years and seven first years. It's a situation the reds will encounter throughout the season, and they'll need to cope better than they did in the first half.

With such a large squad to choose from this season, Owens has plenty of options at his disposal. However, he also has the problem of trying to ensure everyone gets games. Today he made several changes from the team that won at Cardiff last week.

At the back, Callum Woods was replaced by Stephen Darby, whilst in midfield Paul Barratt replaced Charlie Barnett. Last week's front two of Nardiello and Frayne dropped to the bench, as Lindfield and Woodward were given their chance.

Liverpool started badly, and couldn't string two passes together. Players who are usually so comfortable in possession were treating the ball like a hot potato, and the reds just couldn't get anything going.

Ipswich seized upon the uncertainty in the home sides ranks, and took only six minutes to go in front. Robbie Threlfall, normally a cool and cultured defender, gave the ball away with a sloppy pass and Ipswich right winger Danny Haynes burst through and finished well with a powerful low shot into the bottom corner.

Haynes was to prove a real handful. He's big, strong and quick and Threlfall and left back Darby really had trouble containing him early on. In physical terms, it was men against boys in some areas of the park, and Haynes physical superiority certainly gave him an egde.

Three minutes after opening the scoring, Haynes broke clear again, but this time Roberts did just enough to deflect his shot wide. It was a fine save, and eight minutes later he was called into action again, making another good stop from Charlie Sheringham (who I believe is Teddy's son) before the defence did well to clear the rebound.

The reds just couldn't get anything going in attack, despite the hard work of Lindfield. The service to the front two wasn't great, and they were often too far away from eachother. It was a very disjointed display, and Jimmy Ryan, a talented central midfielder, was struggling to get involved due to be used out on the right wing.

Ipswich looked confident, assured and dangerous, and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead through Liam Craig. Haynes got down the line and pulled the ball back to his supporting full back, who's first time cross was spilled by Roberts under severe pressure from Sheringham. Craig had the easy job of putting in the loose ball.

It was clear that Liverpool needed to make changes, but they started the second half with the same eleven. Sheringham should have put the game out of sight when he ran through the inside right channel and blazed the ball over with just Roberts to beat, and within a minute the reds had punished his sloppiness by pulling a goal back.

Some good play in the centre saw the ball work its way out to Ryan on the right, and his first time volleyed cross was smashed past his own keeper from 12 yards by one of the Ipswich defenders, possibly the number four five Chris Casement.

It was a lifeline, and suddenly the reds had some hope. Not for long, as five minutes later Roberts dropped a corner at the feet of Craig who tapped in from virtually on the goalline. Owens' response was to make a triple substitution, sending on Frayne, Nardiello and Barnett for Woodward, Lindfield and Francis Smith.

The fresh legs up front instantly lifted the reds, and Barnett was looking to get on the ball at every opportunity on the right wing. More importantly, it allowed Ryan to move back into the centre, and he began to get more and more involved.

Eleven minutes after coming on, Frayne had got on the scoresheet. A direct run at the defence ended with him hitting a shot from 20 yards which took a slight deflection before crashing in off the underside of the bar. Nardiello followed up and headed the ball in just in case there was any doubt, but Frayne's shot looked well over the line and I'm sure he will be credited with the goal.

Liverpool continued to press, but it wasn't until the final couple of minutes they started to test the keeper. On 88 minutes Ryan produced a stunning strike from 20 yards, only for the keeper to make an equally impressive tip over. It really was a wonderful save.

Liverpool could have been forgiven for thinking after that save that it just wasn't going to be their day, but to their credit they kept battling away, and forced the keeper into two more saves before the end. Both came via the head of Nardiello, following excellent crosses by Frayne and Barnett.

The goal wouldn't come though, and Ipswich held on for a win which looked as though it would be very comfortable at half time. The reds can be pleased with their second half efforts, but will want to forget about a terrible opening half.

Picking a star man wasn't easy, but I went for Spearing because his performance was consistent throughout the entire game. Even in the first half when virtually everyone else was struggling, he was in control of his own game as well as trying to influence others. Ryan had his moments, especially after switching to the centre, Holmes was steady at right back whilst substitutes Nardiello and Frayne made a big difference and almost turned the game around.

Overall a mixed mag. If the lads can repeat the spirit shown in the second half, and combine it with a little more composure, they won't go far wrong this year. If they play like they did in the first half, then they'll struggle.


Team: Roberts; Holmes, Spearing, Threlfall, Darby; Ryan, Flynn, Smith (Barnett), Barratt; Lindfield (Nardiello), Woodward (Frayne):

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