Liverpool U18 0 Bolton U18 0 - (Oct 15 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 0 Bolton U18 0

Report by Peter Schulz at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 1 Oct 2005 Star Man - Steven Darby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool U18’s were held to a goalless draw by Bolton Wanderers at the academy on Saturday morning. The reds once again fielded a strong side and John Owens and his players will feel slightly disappointed that the game wasn’t won.

The game kicked off in a high tempo as is the norm in these games with everyone wanting to impress the manager, but once again the windy conditions in Kirkby influenced proceedings. The reds had the wind in their faces in the first half and a very industrious Bolton side kept forcing the reds backline and midfield to play hurried clearances, more often than not aimless balls at Lindfield and Platt who had been chosen as the front pairing.

The reds simply weren’t allowed time on the ball anywhere on the pitch and Bolton looked a decent side themselves forcing Lancaster into the first save of the game in the 14th minute. The Trotters simply seemed to be more up for it at this stage and they were winning every 50/50 challenge and closing the reds down very well.

Only the referee, once again a typical Pink Floyd headmaster’s performance with the whistle, gave the reds some respite when he told off Conal Platt for not having tucked in his shirt. A few minutes later he was instructing players of both sides not to swear. “Hey teacher, leave them kids alone” seemed to be the crowd’s reaction. (It was mine anyway)

Liverpool’s first chance came on 25 minutes when Paul Barratt went past his man on the left hand side (Barratt was right midfield but had licence to roam) and cut the ball back for Lindfield to finish with a low shot. Bolton’s massive keeper, the wonderfully named Prezemyslaw Kazimierczak (who's comical deep voice and East European accent made him sound like a cross between Ivan Drago of Rocky IV fame and McBain from Simpsons) saved it comfortably though.

It was hard to see how this reds side had managed 6 goals at Middlesbrough, 5 away to Huddersfield and 4 at West Bromwich Albion only last week. At the academy, goals have been somewhat harder to come by recently, and neither side looked like breaking the deadlock in the remaining part of the first half. Liverpool got better as the half went on, but were never dangerous.

Paul Barratt and Adam Hammill both made positive contributions, however. The former crossed from the right only to see Lindfield’s turn and cross/shot go harmlessly over. Hammill, who had scored against Juventus in midweek in the Heysel remembrance game, went on a typical mazy run but his long range shot was wide of the post.

The team were very much looking to him to provide the creative spark, but every time he was in possession, it seemed he would have to beat 3-4 opposing players to break through. Barratt and Hammill switched wings for a couple of minutes and Hammill's trickery forced the Bolton defence into conceding a few free kicks midway into their own half. Neither situation led to anything.

Instead it was left to impressive left back Stephen Darby to save his side as he made a great last ditch tackle on Leslie Thompson just as Bolton had forced a 3 versus 2 situation on the counter attack.

No changes were made by Owens for the second half, and the reds looked more positive with the wind in their backs. Hammill’s corner on 53 minutes was headed over by captain Calum Woods. A few minutes later Craig Lindfield was replaced by Michael Nardiello.

Hammill then fired in another long range shot, but again Kazimierczak saved well before barking more orders out to his team mates in true McBain style: "Pooosh Ouutttttt". It was one of the most entertaining features of the game, unfortunately.

At the other end, goalkeeper Paul Lancaster was hardly troubled. The closest Bolton got was when Calum Woods misjudged a header, but his partner Lee Peltier was on hand to take the ball off the Bolton forward. After little more than an hour’s play, Conal Platt was taken off for former England schoolboy Ray Putterill.

On 68 minutes Jordan Holmes’ cross from the right was met by Nardiello, but he was unable to get sufficient power in his header and McBain saved easily. Instead, Bolton went on the counter attack but the shot from distance was high and wide. Now, John Owens decided to change things at the back and Lee Peltier was substituted for full back Stephen Behan. Stephen Darby moved inside and Behan slotted in at left back.

With about 20 minutes to go, Francis Smith, mostly playing in a defensive midfield role, delivered a glorious crossfield ball which was taken down brilliantly by Hammill, now on the right. Right on the byline, the winger beat two players. He should have then cut it back for Nardiello, Ryan or Putterill all screaming for the ball, but instead continued to carry the ball and he was blatantly fouled inside the box. The headmaster waved play on and Hammill’s team mates were highly dissatisfied with his selfishness in the situation. Should have been a pen though, but the ref allowed a lot of fouls on Hammill to go unpunished, much to the winger's frustration.

The reds were now firmly on top, and with Hammill swapping positions with Smith, shooting chances were created. Hammill picked up the ball in midfield, ran at the defence and hit a fierce shot which Kazimierczak spilled. Nardiello pounced on the rebound, rounded the keeper and put the ball in the net only to find out the linesman had raised his flag – correctly I might add – because he was in an off side position.

2 minutes later and it was very much like a deja vu, only this time Nardiello – in an onside position – couldn’t quite reach the rebound from another Hammill effort. Adam Hammill was showing flashes of brilliance but often he seemed to be overdoing it instead of playing in a fellow red in a better position. If he can develop that side of his game, then he’d be even more dangerous at this level. He's talented, but still very raw.

The reds deserved a goal by this stage but they weren’t to get it. Instead Bolton carved out one last opening, sending one of the forwards through, but Lancaster was quickly off his line to save it just inside his box.

The main positives to take from this game will have been the solid performance by everyone in the back four. Jordan Holmes eased fears that the reds might struggle at right back with Jay Spearing still out with a broken leg. Peltier and Woods were again steady and Stephen Darby had his best game that I have seen this season. He gets the star man award. He’s not a very big lad, nor is he especially strong, but he’s quick and seems a tidy player more than anything. Doesn’t try unnecessary fancy stuff and is a big vocal presence in the side, which is important with Spearing out.

Adam Hammill looks an exciting player at this level and will hopefully be given more chances at reserve level in the coming months. He’s performed consistently for a period of time now and picked up the U18’s player of the month at Anfield at halftime in the Blackburn game later the same day.

Next week the youngsters take on Crewe Alexandra at the academy. Kick off is scheduled for 11am.


Team: Lancaster; Holmes, Peltier (Behan), Woods, Darby; Barratt, Smith, Ryan, Hammill; Platt (Putterill), Lindfield (Nardiello):