Everton u19 2 Liverpool u19 1 (Mar 17 2001)

[TLW]

Everton U19 2 LIVERPOOL U19 1

Report by Dave Usher at Bellefield

Scorer(s) - Daniel Sjolund Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Bellefield Date - Sat 17 Mar 2001 Star Man - John Miles / Ian Armstrong

 

 

 

 

 

Every time I write a report about the under 19's it seems to be the same old story. Dominated the game, played the better football, but lost. This was no different, but it really was cruel that Hughie's boys didn't collect all three points.

It's often said that the results don't matter at this level, and that it's all about bringing players through. Personally, I believe that winning is important whatever level you are playing at, as it breeds a winning mentality, but I have to say that Liverpool's approach to youth football is vastly different to the blueshite's, and although Everton may well finish higher in the league, it is the reds that will have success in bringing players through.

Everton's philosophy was there for all to see, as their side was full of players who's main attribrute was size and strength. The reds played ALL of the football in this game, yet were ultimately beaten by a side who relied solely on the long ball up to their lone striker Nick Chadwick, who is the only player in their side with any chance of making the grade.

It was unbelievable. No matter where on the field the ball was, as soon as an Everton player got it it was straight up to Chadwick. He's a big strong lad, and holds the ball up well, but on seeing this performance it's no wonder Everton are considering scrapping the reserves next year. There is nothing coming through at under 19 level.

The reds seem to be losing games at this level purely because they aren't as physically strong as their opponents. It's a recurring theme, but at least we are bringing through footballers, not yard dogs. We all like to see the youth sides doing well, but I would rather our sides finish mid-table playing the game the right way and bringing through talented players, than win the league with a team full of players who's only attribute is their size.

Some of the reds' football in this game was truly wonderful. Ian Armstrong has been moved back into midfield in recent weeks, and this may be where his long term future lies. He was fantastic today, along with another striker turned midfielder, John Miles.

They lined up on the flanks for the reds, with Neil Mellor and Danny Sjolund up front. Right from ther start Armstrong was tormenting the blues defence, picking the ball up and running at them. He was outstanding, particularly in the first half.

One fantastic surge into the area from 'Army' almost resulted in Sjolund giving the reds the lead, but the blues keeper denied him with a fine close range stop. The reds totally dominated the first half, and Everton offered nothing in resistence other than a dangerous physical presence from set pieces.

Welsh and Warnock dominated the midfield, and at times it got a bit tasty. Peter Cavanagh was also flying into tackles and setting a real captains example. 'Cav' has been told he isn't being kept on for next season, which is a shame as he's done well whenever I've seen him, and I'm sure he could do a job for another club. Not Everton though, as he plays far too much football to fit in there.

Paul Culshaw was having a few problems keeping Chadwick at bay, as to be fair to the blues youngster he worked tirelessly up front on his own, and was a handful. By and large though, reds keeper Matty Parry was untroubled in the first half, as Liverpool enjoyed all of the possession and all of the chances.

It was goalless at half time, but instead of the usual 15 minute break, there was only about a five minute interval, as the blues facilities are so bad the players had to stay on the pitch for the half time team-talks. I'll get to the shocking state of Bellefield later though.

Within a minute of the restart, the reds took the lead, when a fine right wing run and cross from Armstrong - who had switched flanks with Miles for the second half - saw Sjolund stab the ball home from close range. It was no more than the lads deserved, and minutes later it was almost two as Armstrong broke free again and fired across goal to the lurking Mellor on the back post, but his shot was well smothered by the blues keeper.

Armstrong was running them ragged, and then John Miles decided he wanted in on the act. In the second half 'Milesy' was sensational, running at defenders and leaving them trailing in his wake.

He wasn't just beating one, it was two, three and sometimes even four. On one occasion he left four of them chasing shadows, before a fifth came in and took a wild kick at him. 'Milesy' was too quick for him though and eluded his wild lunge before curling a shot just wide. Miles knew he had the beating of the blues, and taunted his would be assailant by wagging his finger, grinning and teasing him by saying "You couldn't even get close enough to kick me" or words to that effect!

Bizarrely though, the ref took exception to this and gave Miles a stern talking to about it. Warnock also got a telling off for something he said, when surely the ref should have been having a go at the dirty bastard who took a kick at Miles. Warnock was spoken to a few times, until inevitably he picked up the now customary yellow card.

I can't speak highly enough of the performances of Armstrong and Miles in this game. Their ability is obvious, but it doesn't always shine through when they play up front. In midfield however they see more of the ball, and can run at defenders. I'd like to see them play more on the flanks in future, as if there is one area where the first team isn't particularly well off, it's with players who can take people on and dribble.

Sjolund almost made it 2-0 when he headed agonisingly wide from a wicked inswinging Miles corner, but then the blues broke through the middle and it needed a brave stop from Matty Parry to deny Chadwick. Parry was injured in the incident, and was eventually forced off the field to be replaced by Crookes, but not before the blues had drawn level when a corner wasn't cleared properly, and from the resulting ball back in, the centre half rose at the back post to head the ball past Parry, who was taken off straight afterwards.

There was no way they deserved to be level, but heartbreakingly for the reds, soon after it was 2-1 as Chadwick hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards which left Crookes helpless and found the top corner A great goal to be fair. The reds continued to dominate as they pressed for an equaliser, but you sensed it wouldn't arrive, and despite a few close calls, it didn't.

This was a sickening defeat really, totally undeserved, but the only consolation is that in the likes of Welsh, Warnock, Miles, Armstrong and Sjolund, the reds have youngsters who are capable of progressing through to the first team.

The blues have nothing, and the state of Bellefield was an absolute joke. There's a little hut, about the size of a garden shed, and apparently - according to the sign anyway- THAT is their academy! I've included a photo of this in the match photo's section, as it has to be seen to be believed.

There was a big skip full of rubbish right outside the main entrance, and next to the 'academy' building was a dirty old garage full of crap. Quite what purpose that serves I'm not sure. Maybe Bill Kenright uses it to park his Robin Reliant in, I don't know.

The other thing which really disgusted me was that there were no facilities for our players to shower and change. The lads had to get straight back on the minibus, covered in mud, and go back to our academy in Kirkby for a shower. It's Sunday League stuff, which is rather fitting given the style of football adopted by the blues.

If it was bad for our lads, spare a thought for Crewe under 17's, who were also playing at Bellefield today. They had a lot further to go for a shower than our boys, and it's no wonder the FA have warned the blues to sort it out or be stripped of their academy status.

I overheard one guy (who I believe is connected with our academy in some capacity) saying that the players went in to the changing rooms but that there was just one bath and it was full of mould. Whether or not that's true I know not, but would anyone be surprised? The blues are in such a poor state I'd almost feel sorry for them if I didn't despise them so.


TEAM: Matty Parry (Peter Crookes); Peter Cavanagh, Paul Culshaw, Steven McNulty, Alan Coupe; John Miles, John Welsh, Steve Warnock, Ian Armstrong: Neil Mellor (Chris Thompson), Daniel Sjolund:



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