Liverpool U18 3 Leeds U18 1 (Sep 10 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 3 Leeds U18 1

Report by Peter Schulz at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Craig Lindfield, Charlie Barnett (2) Half Time - 1-0 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 10 Sep 2005 Star Man - Callum Woods

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool U18s coach John Owens named an unchanged side from last week's convincing 6-2 win over Middlesbrough, and the players repaid his faith by sending Leeds United back to Yorkshire with a 3-1 defeat. The scoreline flattered the reds a little though as much of the action took place in the reds half. Clinical finishing coupled with stout defending ensured that 3 points made their way to the reds' account.

Liverpool started off the brighter side and put together some nice passing moves. The play was too direct most of the time though and instead of really dominating the game, Liverpool simply conceded possession a little too easily by opting for the long ball as other options were left untested. Left back Stephen Darby, whose presence was certainly heard all the while he was feeling on top, put in a series of good challenges to prevent Leeds right winger (and Damien Duff look-alike) Phil Stansfield getting his crosses in. Liverpool's first shot on target came from goalkeeper Dave Roberts who launched a long kick towards his counterpart, Jonathan Lund in the Leeds goal.

It would take only 10 minutes for the home side to be in front though as Craig Lindfield latched onto a neat flick on by strike partner Conal Platt and powered a right foot strike past Lund into the far corner of the net. The goal came following a foul on the impressive Spearing just outside the box on the line. It was the first real chance of the game but instead of having a settling effect on the young reds side, it seemed to motivate Leeds.

Only a couple of minutes after the goal, Leeds forward Jonathan Howson went close with a header when he forced Roberts into a good save from just under the crossbar. At this stage the game opened up but the reds were struggling to really put any moves together.

Midway through the half the visitors were now looking the better side and Darby had to make a last ditch tackle to deny Leeds getting a clear run on goal and moments later, centre half Robbie Threlfall deflected a goal bound shot wide. Liverpool continued to put faith in the long balls from the back but it wasn’t resulting in anything as Leeds were now growing in confidence. Up front the yorkshiremen had a real presence in Tomi Ameobi and he was proving a handful for the reds’ defence. The half finished with Leeds looking most likely to get the next goal although they didn’t get any clear cut chances before the break.

With the reds 1-0 up but looking second best, spectators were perhaps expecting one or two changes to be made but John Owens kept faith in his first choice XI. The first shooting chance came to Leeds, however, but the forward put it over Roberts’ goal. Then came a really bad moment for the reds and especially for right back Jay Spearing. He was involved in a 50/50 challenge in the middle of the park and a big crack could be heard as the players collided.

Spearing lay in clear agony near the halfway line unable to move and you could hear the crowd worry as the physio went on the pitch. Soon they called for a stretcher and the youngster was taken off the pitch with a suspected broken leg. A real shame for the full back who had looked in fine form for the youth side so far this season. On came Jordan Holmes in his place.

The game seemed more open now but Leeds were kept well at bay by an impressive central defensive partnership formed by Robbie Threlfall and Callum Woods. The latter has played in a variety of positions in his Liverpool career so far, but is so far proving to be a very good prospect at centre back. About midway through the second half Owens made the second change to the side replacing forward Conal Platt with another forward, James Frayne. Frayne was to have a decisive influence on the game. In the middle of the park, Jimmy Ryan was very energetic and he seemed to get up and down the pitch more than anyone else out there.

With about 20 minutes to go, Craig Lindfield’s cut back was laid off by Frayne into the path of right winger Charlie Barnett whose excellent first touch saw him take it past the defenders and his left foot strike to Lund’s right seemed to have sealed the 3 points. Just as the teams were kicking off for the second half, Barnett had been jokingly told by a member of the crowd (possibly a relative) to “get his finger out” and the player had then admitted that he had indeed just received a bollocking in the dressing room. His response was first class.

A few minutes later, Lindfield was replaced by Francis Smith and the reds reverted to a 4-5-1 with Frayne operating as a lone striker. Smith tucked in just in front of the reds defence. It didn’t take long for Leeds to get back in the game and Jonathan Howson hammered the ball in off the bar from around the penalty spot after a set piece. To make matters worse, the visitors nearly scored another with their next attack, but the danger was cleared.

5 minutes from the end, Barnett put the game beyond Leeds following a great counter attack. Ryan Flynn won the ball in midfield as Leeds were pushing forward. His controlled pass found substitute James Frayne on the left hand side and Frayne’s wonderful first time cross found Barnett unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. Once again Frayne found himself involved in carving out a chance. The header was easy in the end but it was a well worked goal by the reds who could now finally relax knowing that the three points were in the bag. Three goals from three clear cut chances.

Overall a decent performance by the youngsters although there is still much work to be done on the training pitch to ensure they don’t lose the grip on games such as this. Other sides may well have punished Liverpool for not pushing on after the initial goal.

I bumped into James Frayne on the train back to Liverpool after the game and he all but confirmed that Jay Spearing had indeed suffered a serious injury, breaking his shinbone. “Jay was in real pain after the game when we all went to see him”, the striker revealed. “Jay’s family was there with Steve Heighway, and Heighway rates Jay very highly, so he was gutted.”

Having just got back from injury himself, Frayne is confident that he will get his chance in the U18’s side this season and his performance today after coming on won’t have done his chances any harm. It’s a big squad though and as Owens looks to rotate the squad, players will be keen to impress. Spearing won’t be getting that chance for a while now, but he only needs to look at first team players Steve Warnock and Djibril Cissé as well as reserve midfielder David Mannix to see that a serious injury isn’t necessarily the end of the world.

Both TLW representatives at the academy agreed that Liverpool’s man of the match was centre back Callum Woods. He enjoyed a good game alongside Threlfall and seemed confident throughout. His main asset is his ability with both feet and it’s hard to see which is his weaker foot. In midfield little Jimmy Ryan enjoyed a good game. He is full of running and seems to be everywhere and he always seems to have time on the ball. He’s got a very low centre of gravity and it obviously helps him when he’s on the ball.

Next up for the U18 side is a trip to Huddersfield on Saturday and Owens’ men will be looking to continue a good run of form. With 6 players sitting today’s game out, competition for places will be fierce.


Team: Roberts; Spearing (Holmes), Woods, Threlfall, Darby; Barnett, Flynn, Ryan, Hammill; Platt (Frayne), Lindfield (Smith):

For exclusive photos from this game, click here