Liverpool u18 1 Reading u18 0 - FA Youth Cup 5th Round (Jan 26 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 1 Reading U18 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Jimmy Ryan Half Time - 1-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Sat 26 Jan 2007 Star Man - Michael Burns

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Ryan's terrific first half strike sent the reds through to the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup, as an efficient performance saw off Reading in a tight game at Anfield tonight. The midfielder found the net with a blistering 20 yard drive just before the half hour, and some stout defending ensured there was no way back for the visitors.

Steve Heighway named an unchanged side from the one that had so impressively saw off Chelsea in the previous round, but there was a place on the bench for new Swedish recruit Astrik Ajdarevic. The midfielder - a dead ringer for Paddy Berger in looks and playing style - was introduced at half time, and turned in a promising performance in the centre of midfield.

The first half was very even, with the visitors looking very threatening from set pieces. They had a significant height advantage, especially when their centre halves came forward, and that looked their most likely source of success.

Reds' left back Michael Burns had the game's first goal attempt, when he surged forward after itercepting a pass, and advanced as far as the edge of the Reading box before hitting a powerful shot that was parried by the keeper, who then gathered the ball up before Lindfield could get there.

Reading then forced a series of set pieces, and threatened to take the lead on several occasions. Spearing cleared off the line after one of their centre halves had met a left wing corner, and eight minutes later the other centre half put a free header over the bar from another left wing corner.

A minute later, a free kick from the left touchline was met by the head of midfielder Karakan but Martin Hansen made a routine save. Their height advantage was proving to be a real problem for the reds, but in open play Heighway's boys were largely untroubled.

The only goal of the game arrived on 27 minutes, when Lindfield controlled a pass on the edge of the box, and laid the ball back into the path of Ryan who hit a superb first time shot into the top corner. The keeper got a hand on it, but there was so much power in the shot he couldn't keep it out. Jimmy must love playing at Anfield, as he scored a screamer at the Kop end last season too. He also got on the scoresheet against Chelsea in the previous round.

Threlfall came close to adding a second four minutes later, when Ryan found him in space on the right. A lovely change of direction created space for the shot on his left foot, but the keeper got across his goal and parried the ball again.

Reading had their chances, but their shooting was often wayward. A good example of that came on 37 minutes when they had a breakaway after clearing a Liverpool corner. Right winger Henry was allowed to run sixty yards unchallenged, but when he reached the edge of the box he dragged his shot wide.

In first half stoppage time they had another great chance from yet another left wing corner. This time centre half Pearce put a free header wide at the back post. There is no height in the Liverpool side at all, and it could prove to be their undoing in this competition. The back four have been fantastic so far, and against footballing sides they cope easily enough, but they could collapse under an aerial bombardment and there were some signs of that against Reading. The visitors had three or four clear chances from corner kicks, but thankfully they didn't take any of them.


Heighway made a change at half time, introducing Ajdarevic (pictured) for Lee Woodward. He went into the middle of midfield, with Flynn pushing forward to support Lindfield. The young Swede has not been at the club long, and I believe he trains at Melwood, but he slotted in straight away and looked at home. He's tall, all left foot, wears an alice band and he was wearing number 15. The resemblance to Paddy was there for all to see.

He was involved in the action straight away, finding Putterill on the left flank in space. Ray was blocked off as he tried to get down the line, but he cut back infield and laid the ball across the box to Ryan who hit another sweetly struck first time shot. This time though it was right down the throat of the keeper. Another yard either side and he would have been celebrating his second goal.

Three minutes later Reading wasted their best chance of the game. Yet again it came from a corner, as the ball was flicked on at the near post and Bygrave somehow put it over the bar from five yards out with the goal at his mercy. It was a sitter.

There was a real lull for the next 25 minutes or so. Not much happened at either end, and the reds were looking very comfortable. With 15 minutes left Ryan hit another screamer from outside the box, this one curling inches wide with the keeper nowhere.

Reading had not been able to get any joy in open play, and their widemen especially had been brilliantly shackled by the Liverpool full backs. The left winger Bignall had barely had a touch, but twice in the final ten minutes he got to the byline and got dangerous balls into the box. The first time he was played in by a good ball and drilled a ball across the six yard box. With the right winger waiting to put the ball into an empty net, Burns did well to get in front of him and head the ball to safety.

Bignall got in again shortly after, when an attempted pass to the frontman was deflected into his path. Once again he drilled the ball across, but again Burns got in there to clear the danger.

Heighway brought on Michael Collins for Putterill with five minutes to go, and the reds kept the ball well and wasted valuable time by keeping the ball in the Reading half. There was only one more moment of slight concern for the Liverpool backline, but Church's shot from 20 yards was easily dealt with by Hansen.

It was a solid, efficient performance rather than a dazzling one, but then that's what this team is all about. They don't have the attacking flair of last year, as there's no Hammill or Anderson. They don't have the physical presence at the back any more, as Hobbs and Antwi aren't there this year. What they do have is a great team spirit, and a great understanding of how to play with eachother.

Nowhere is that more prevalent than in the back four. Spearing and Threlfall were once again outstanding, and seem to have a telepathic understanding of where the other one is at all times. Darby is an intelligent full back who keeps it simple and is rarely beaten by any winger, and Burns has really taken to playing left back this season since being converted from the wing.

He was my star man tonight, I thought he was brilliant in defence. He just edges out Threlfall and Ryan.


Team: Hansen; Darby, Spearing, Threlfall, Burns; Ryan, Barnett, Flynn, Putterill (Collins): Woodward (Ajdarevic), Lindfield: