Liverpool u18 0 Man City u18 1 (Nov 19 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 0 Man City U18 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-1 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 19 Nov 2005 Star Man - Jimmy Ryan

 

 

 

 

 

Jacks Hobbs made his first appearance for the under 18s, but couldn’t prevent them suffering their third defeat in a row. A solitary first half goal was enough to give Manchester City maximum points from a closely contested game at the reds Academy, a result which saw them leapfrog John Owens’ side in the table.

17 year old Hobbs has been a regular for the reserve side since arriving from Lincoln in the summer, and he trains at Melwood under Paco Herrera and Hughie McAuley. He’s not been involved with the Academy set up prior to this game, but is set to be a part of the squad for the forthcoming FA Youth Cup campaign and this game was an opportunity for him to get to know the rest of the side.

It was also the first time this season he’s played in his natural position of centre half, and at times it showed. Defensively he did ok, but his distribution let him down on occasion and he didn’t always look entirely comfortable. Understandable I suppose given that he’s played in midfield all season, and was in unfamiliar surroundings with players he hasn’t played with before

It was a game of few chances, and City’s winning goal came from the best bit of play of the entire game. Whether they deserved to win is debatable, personally I didn’t think either side did enough and a goalless draw would have been fair. But goals win games and Liverpool just didn’t do enough in the final third.

Owens selected a strong side, and it probably won’t be far off the side which will play in the youth cup. Conal Platt was the only ‘overage’ player involved, and presumably Michael Nardiello will replace him for the youth cup campaign.

Dave Roberts was in goal, with Jordan Holmes and Stephen Behan the full backs. Hobbs was partnered in the middle of defence by skipper for the day Stephen Darby, whilst the midfield four was Paul Barratt, Ryan Flynn, Jimmy Ryan and Adam Hammill. Platt was partnered up front by top scorer, Craig Lindfield.

Both Platt and Lindfield had chances to score in the opening five minutes. First Platt saw his low shot turned behind for a corner by City keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and from the resulting corner Lindfield headed wide from inside the six yard box. It was a great chance and he should have buried it.

Liverpool had started well, and it was a good flowing match in the early stages. Lindfield had another opportunity shortly afterwards when Barratt’s cross found him in the area, but his shot was deflected wide by a defender.

City then wasted a great chance when Grimes made a run in behind Behan and was well found, but he shot wide from a good position.

On the half hour mark the young reds put together a fine move which would have been a fantastic goal. Ryan’s sweeping crossfield pass was well cushioned into the path of Hammill by Holmes, and Platt was inches away from connecting with his teasing cross.

City wasted another great chance when Vidal blasted over the bar after a right wing centre had found him unmarked in the Liverpool box, but the visitors went in front five minutes later with a well crafted goal.

Left back Williamson did well to break up a Liverpool attack, and sidestep two challenges before producing a wonderful ball inside Holmes which sent Moore through on goal. Hobbs couldn’t get across in time and the winger beat Roberts with an excellent finish.

Up until then, Liverpool had been playing pretty well. They didn’t deserve to be behind, but once City got their noses in front they never looked like losing the lead. The reds huffed and puffed in the second half, but aside from a Lindfield shot which produced a very good save from Schmeichel they rarely threatened Rudolph junior, which was disappointing.

City could have doubled their lead six minutes into the 2nd half but Vidal was denied by a fine stop by Roberts.

With 15 minutes to go Owens brought on Charlie Barnett and Michael Nardiello for Barratt and Lindfield, and ten minutes later Michael Burns replaced Platt.

Defeat was harsh, but the bottom line is not enough chances were created. There were some decent performances, most notably in midfield where Jimmy Ryan did his best to keep the side moving forward, and Flynn was neat and tidy.

For the most part, the defence were fairly comfortable, with Darby being the pick of the back four.

Team: Roberts; Holmes, Hobbs, Darby, Behan; Barratt (Barnett), Ryan, Flynn, Hammill; Platt (Burns), Lindfield (Nardiello):

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