Liverpool u19 0 Blackburn 1 (Nov 11 2000)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U19 0 Blackburn U19 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - The Academy Date - Sat 11 Nov 2000 Star Man - Steven McNulty

 

 

 

 

 

As the scoreline suggests, this wasn't a great game by any means. It was fairly even, with the reds just about shading it. Chances were pretty few and far between for both sides, with set pieces looking like the most likely source of a goal for either side.

Hughie McAuley's side were without influential skipper Chris O'Brien, as well as John Miles, Michael Foley and Paul Culshaw, and they missed the invention of Miles and Foley in particular. Peter Cavanagh returned from suspension at right back, and took over the captain's armband in O'Brien's absence, with under 17 centre back Steven McNulty coming in to make his under 19 debut.

McNulty was outstanding, and just about shaded the star man award ahead of the once again impressive Steve Warnock. He's a big lad is McNulty, and he won everything in the air all game. Blackburn's front two are both big powerful lads, but McNulty coped relatively easily with them, and can be well pleased with his days work.

He will have been helped by the fact that his partner at the heart of the defence was Jon Otsemobor, as they formed the cornerstone of the under 17's defence last season and have a good understanding. 'Semmy' also had a solid game, despite the over physical approach of the Rovers forward line.

The reds most effective attacking player in the first half was without doubt left back Warnock though, who looks to have it all. He can defend, and attack and has that little bit of extra class about him. He's got a bit of the devil about him too and was involved in a few clashes with the Rovers right back, and was later booked, although I haven't a clue why, dissent possibly.

Warnock's problem with the Rovers right back came about when he was clattered by Blackburn's number 2 after the ball had already gone out. Warnock was furious and had a few choice words for the Rovers youngster. The funniest part of it all though, was the reaction of reds left winger Steve Torpey, he just stood there laughing as if to say "here we go again." Warnock takes no shit, and I am more and more impressed every time I see him play. He really does look like a left footed Stevie G.

In the absence of Miles, Chris Thompson partnered Ian Armstrong up front, but 'Tommo' always looks more effective on the wing to me, and found it hard to get into the game. I couldn't understand why Thompson was up front, and Brian McIlroy was on the wing, as to me it would have made more sense to switch them. McIlroy switched wings with Steve Torpey a few times, but neither of them were having much joy. Both managed to get in behind a few times but the final ball was lacking.

It was another frustrating game for Armstrong, who ran his bollocks off but was again starved of chances. I've seen the lad play in the reserves a number of times, and he looks class, but he hasn't exactly set the world alight whenever I've seen him play for the under 19's. I don't know why that is, but it could just be that he gets better service in the reserve side. It?s certainly not for lack of effort. He had a couple of decent attempts in this game, but they both came after he had created the chance for himself.

John Welsh had a fairly quiet game in midfield, and struggled to dominate in the way he had done in the two previous matches I?d seen, but he was still neat and tidy in everything he did. Alongside him in midfield, Jamie Olsen worked hard in an unfamiliar role, and almost scored in the second half with a rasping drive from the edge of the box that was just too high.

Torpey also had a couple of shots saved by the keeper, and the reds almost won it at the death when Olsen's corner caused panic in the Rovers six yard box, but the keeper fell on the ball to smother the danger. It would have been hard on Blackburn had they lost, as they were well worth a point, and in truth neither side did enough to win.

TEAM: Peter Crookes; Peter Cavanagh, Jon Otsemobor, Steven McNulty, Steve Warnock; Brian McIlroy, John Welsh, Jamie Olsen, Steve Torpey; Ian Armstrong, Chris Thompson:



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