Liverpool u19 3 Crewe u19 0 (Oct 28 2000)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U19 3 Crewe U19 0

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Neil Mellor, Brian McIlroy, O.G. Half Time - 1-0 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 28 Oct 2000 Star Man - John Welsh

 

 

 

 

 

The reds took the lead through a comical own goal from one of the Crewe defenders, but despite dominating the game throughout, they had to wait until midway through the second half to extend the lead through substitute Neil Mellor, before Brian McIlroy ran clear of the defence to put the seal on an impressive display with a composed finish.

Crewe didn't look particularly special, but the one thing they were, was big. Some of the lads in their side were bigger than Sami Hyypia, and they looked older than Sami too! We all know how a lot of African nations allegedly play over-age players in youth tournaments (remember Everton's Bakayoko, who claimed to have been 22, yet had played in an under 18 tournament about 10 years previous?), but maybe someone should investigate this Crewe team because some of them were enormous!

Mind you, they were still unable to overpower our boys, and in 16 year old midfielder John Welsh we had the game's most dominant player. The lad is awesome. He won every loose ball in the middle, and used possession very intelligently. By rights he should be playing for the under 17?s, but that level is far too easy for him.

On this evidence, under 19 football isn't much of a test for him either. This was my first look at Welsh in a Liverpool shirt (I've seen him on Sky for England schoolboys a couple of times), and he looks like something special. Injuries have curtailed many a promising young career though, so nothing is ever certain, but if he can stay fit he looks a safe bet to go all the way.

One youngster who knows all about injuries is Steven Warnock, who has suffered from three leg breaks inside 12 months! The lad has had unbelievably bad luck, but he is back now and deserves an injury free run to re-establish himself at the club. He is hugely talented and had he not been struck down by such bad injuries there's every chance he'd be in the senior squad by now. He is extremely well thought of inside Anfield, and before his injury problems he was being talked about by some in the same breath as Steven Gerrard. Yes, he is that good.

This was his first full game back since his third broken leg, but you'd never have guessed it. He can play virtually anywhere, much like Stevie G, but against Crewe he was used at left back. He's equally comfortable in the centre of midfield, defence or on the wing though, and its great to see him back. Although understandably he seemed to tire a bit late on, overall he was outstanding, particularly in the first half when he combined really well with Chris Thompson's down the left hand side.

It was from Warnock's searching ball over the top that the reds took the lead midway through the first half. With the lively Ian Armstrong looking to get on the end of it, the Crewe defender tried to head the ball clear but misjudged it in the swirling wind (the weather was horrible all game, pissing down with rain and windy as hell) and sent it looping over the head of his helpless keeper.

Although I felt sorry for the lad, it was so funny that I couldn't stop laughing. Stood next to me though, were the families of the Crewe lads, so I decided that it would be wise to hide behind my umbrella (there's no cover from the elements at the Academy) to avoid getting my head kicked in by some angry parent who may not take kindly to my laughing at his son's misfortune!

Anyway, as the half progressed the reds grew more and more dominant, and it was hard to believe that they had been so poor just a few weeks before when they lost to Barnsley. I mentioned that Paul Culshaw had a bit of a rough ride against the Yorkshire side, but he was much improved in this game. A centre half by trade, he played at right back in place of the suspended Peter Cavanagh and he was rock solid. He used the ball well too, and it looks as though the Barnsley game could have just been one of those days.

The reds back four were all outstanding against the young 'Railwaymen', with Jon Otsemobor winning everything in the air and on the ground, and Chris O'Brien marshalling the troops well and producing a real captain's performance. 'Obie' is usually a midfielder, but he looks really comfortable at the back, although his lack of pace may be a drawback, and both he and Otsemobor will be looking to establish themselves in the reserves this season. Just like Warnock, Welsh and Ian Armstrong, both of these lads have represented England at various youth levels, and the club have very high hopes for all of them.

Another player who impressed again was goalkeeper Peter Crookes. He's done well every time I've seen him, and with Jorgen Nielson's future uncertain, Crookes will be hoping to stake a claim for the number three keeper spot. He pulled off a couple of really smart saves against Crewe, and he's very vocal in letting his defence know what is expected of them.

In midfield the reds lined up with Brian McIlroy on the right, Chris Thompson on the left and Michael Foley alongside John Welsh in the centre. Foley was very impressive in the first half, but never re-appeared after the break, presumably due to injury. Striker Neil Mellor replaced him, with the versatile John Miles dropping back into midfield. The reds had dominated midfield in the first half, with Welsh and Foley taking a stranglehold on the game, and despite Foley's absence, the second half was no different.

Ian Armstrong went close a couple of times, but had a frustrating day overall. He never stopped running, and his all round performance was good, but he isn't having much luck in front of goal of late. He's yet to score for the under 19?s this term, although he did net in the 'first team's' friendly against Runcorn the other week. The lad is class though, that much is obvious, and it's only a matter of time before the goals start flying in again.

Another player who was on the scoresheet in that game against Runcorn was Chris Thompson, and he went close on several occasions in this game. He possesses a fine shot, and is a very direct player who likes to run at defenders. As I said earlier, he linked up really well down the left hand side with Warnock in the first half, and he cut inside and hit a couple of screamers with his right foot which the keeper did well to save.

Down the other wing, McIlroy wasn't getting too much of the ball, but there was one sensational run from inside his own half which almost resulted in a wonderful goal for Miles. McIlroy left several defenders trailing in his wake before feeding Armstrong who's exquisite first time back heel released Miles in on goal. Unfortunately the normally reliable Miles dragged his shot well wide.

McIlroy is actually a striker, and he has an excellent goalscoring record for the under 17?s, but the presence of Armstrong, Miles and Mellor means he usually operates on the wing. I've known about Brian for a while, as he lives by my auntie and his mum regularly used to buy the fanzine for him! Brian is one of the quickest players at the club, and won all kinds of medals for cross country running and sprinting.

That electric pace was in evidence again right at the end when Armstrong sent him racing clear of the defence. Once he gets into his stride there's no stopping him, but it was the composed way he finished off the chance that really impressed me. He's still very raw, but there's a lot to work with and he could be one to watch in the years ahead.


TEAM: Peter Crookes; Paul Culshaw, Jon Otsemobor, Chris O'Brien, Steve Warnock; Brian McIlroy, Michael Foley (Neil Mellor), John Welsh, Chris Thompson; Ian Armstrong, John Miles:



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