Liverpool u18 1 Man City u18 2 (Jan 8 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 2 Man City U18 2

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Charlie Barnett Half Time - 1-1 Venue - Liverpool Academy, Kirkby Date - Sat 8 Jan 2007 Star Man - Charlie Barnett

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reds’ recent good run of results came to an end as Manchester City left Kirkby with all three points, despite being under the cosh for long periods of this game. John Owens’ side enjoyed plenty of possession but didn’t threaten the City goal enough, and a draw would have been a fairer result.

Owens was unable to call on his Melwood based players, as the reserves have a game on Wednesday and the likes of Lindfield, Threlfall, Darby and Flynn will probably feature in Gary Ablett’s 16. Keeper Dave Roberts usually features in u18 games, but he was missing for this game and Josh Mimms was handed a rare start between the sticks.

Lawrence Gaughan was also missing, presumably through injury, and that meant that not for the first time this season Owens had to field a centre back pairing of Stephen Behan and Jay Spearing. If Behan stood on Spearing’s shoulders they’d still be shorter than Peter Crouch, and ultimately that lack of height proved to be the decisive factor as City’s winning goal was a direct result of it.

The young reds had been in good form before the Christmas Academy break, and Ray Putterill in particular had been enjoying a good run of form. He was on the left wing for this game, and he looked to be his side’s best attacking outlet in the first half. He had the beating of his marker, and he had the game’s first goal attempt on 8 minutes when he showed lovely control to bring down a high ball, and then set off on a purposeful run before hitting a shot over the bar from 20 yards.

A minute later he escaped down the left again, and reached the byline before cutting the ball back to Ryan Wignall on the penalty spot, but the striker’s shot went high over the crossbar.

It was a scrappy game, with neither side really able to get much going in attack. City’s backline were very imposing and Wignall and Pringle didn’t get any change out of them all game. City have a centre back called Clayton McDonald, and he’s a real monster. He was dominant in the air and on the ground, and the reds couldn’t find any way past him.

From what I can remember, he didn’t feature in last year’s FA Youth Cup Final, so he must be no older than 17. He’ll be a big lad when he grows up. City did include a few members of last year’s youth cup side, and two of them combined after 19 minutes to almost take the lead.

Left winger Karl Moore set off on a fantastic run from his own half that took him away from four challenges, before he laid the ball off to Ched Evans. His shot beat Mimms but came back off the post.

Charlie Barnett went close for the reds not long after that, when his powerful shot from 25 yards went narrowly over the bar with the keeper beaten. He would find his range shortly afterwards however.

City were denied by the woodwork again just before the half hour mark, when centre back Garry Breen headed against the post following a right wing corner. They didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough though, as five minutes later Liverpool lost possession in midfield, and Evans was sent running clear through the centre. Michael Burns tried to get across from left back but couldn’t quite get there in time, as Evans slotted the ball past Mimms.

Liverpool hit back quickly however, as Barnett hit a screamer from 25 yards into the top corner. Then as half time approached, Putterill spurned a glorious chance to send his side into the break in front. Barratt crossed from the right, and the keeper flapped at it. The ball fell to Pringle with his back to goal, and he cleverly teed up Putterill six yards from goal, but his left foot shot went over the bar.

Barnett almost gave his side the dream start to the 2nd half, when seconds after the restart he won the ball just inside City’s half, advanced forward a few yards and then crashed a stunning shot against the crossbar from a good 30 yards or so. It was to be the highpoint of the half for the reds, as it was the closest they’d come to another goal.

City’s winner came after 57 minutes, when the reds defence failed to deal with a high ball into the box. As the ball bounced in the air, either Spearing or Behan (can’t remember which) went up for a header with Evans. The problem was they had to do so from a standing jump, and Evans’ height advantage meant he was always going to win it. He knocked the ball down to Moore and he blasted the ball past Mimms from close range.

It was a tough goal to concede, but it’s difficult to blame anybody as that’s the risk you run when you have such small players at the heart of the defence. On the ground the reds defended very well, but they couldn’t be expected to win balls in the air against bigger players.

The goal was the last we saw of City as an attacking force, as the reds forced them onto the back foot. Owens introduced Lee Woodward and Michael Collins for Pringle and Wignall, and the changes did lift the side a bit.

Woodward linked up with Barratt on the right with 15 minutes to go, and when Barratt whipped in a cross it looked like Barnett would score, but his shot was deflected wide by a defender. Two minutes later the hard working Burns crossed from the left and Woodward headed straight at the keeper. Collins also had a header saved from a Barratt cross, but in truth City held on pretty comfortably.

Liverpool played ok, and didn’t deserve to lose, but the lack of a cutting edge proved decisive. There were some good performances, most notably in midfield were Barnett and Ryan both did well. I thought the back four all played well too. Right back Jon Routledge showed good composure in possession and looks a neat and tidy player, whilst on the other side Burns got up and down the left flank well and worked tirelessly. Spearing and Behan did well in the middle, if only they were a little bit taller!

I’m giving Barnett the star man, just ahead of Spearing and Burns. He scored one great goal, and could have had a couple more with a bit more luck.

Next up for the u18s is the FA Youth Cup tie with Chelsea at Anfield next weekend. That will be tough, as the lads have already lost to Chelsea once this season. At least Owens will be able to call upon Lindfield & co, but if the lads are going to retain the youth cup they are really going to have to be on top form.


Team: Mimms; Routledge, Behan, Spearing, Burns; Barratt, Barnett, Ryan, Putterill; Wignall (Collins), Pringle (Woodward):