FA Youth Cup 3rd Round - Liverpool 2 Cardiff 0 (Dec 17 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 2 Cardiff U18 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Besian Idrizaj, Jimmy Ryan Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Sat 17 Dec 2005 Star Man - Paul Barratt

 

 

 

 

 

An excellent second half performance saw the reds cruise into the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-0 win over a hard working Cardiff City at Anfield. Goals from Besian Idrizaj and Jimmy Ryan capped a good team performance, in which the back four were outstanding and prevented the visitors even getting a sight of Dave Roberts' goal.

The starting line up was pretty much as expected, with the only surprise being the omission of James Frayne from the 16 man squad. He had been expected to start up front, but was replaced by Michael Nardiello and wasn't even amongst the subs.

Stephen Darby - outstanding for the u18s so far this season - was given the captain's armband and lined up at left back. The reds are blessed with some very good young defenders, and it's going to take a very good side to trouble them at the back. As well as the four on duty today, Robbie Threlfall is expected to be back in action in a week or two, and Jay Spearing is making good progress in his recovery from a broken leg. It's an embarrassment of riches for John Owens in defence.

The reds had met Cardiff on the opening day of this season in an Academy league match, and it had been a very close game which Liverpool won 2-1. This was much more comfortable, although it wasn't until the 2nd half that the lads settled down and started to play their football.

The first half was poor, as the young reds seemed to be lacking in urgency and no-one seemed willing to gran the game by the scruff of the neck and make something happen. It was all played at a pedestrian pace, and neither keeper was worked too hard.

Liverpool had the first attempt on goal in the fourth minute, when Hammill played in a cross from the left and Nardiello sent a looping header onto the roof of the net. Nothing happened then until the 26th minute, when City midfielder Simpson sent a 20 yard header inches wide as he followed up a corner which had been headed out.

Roberts looked to have maybe had it covered, but had it been on target it would have been touch and go whether he'd have got there. It was a good effort from the lad, but it shows how well the Liverpool defence played that Cardiff's only serious goal attempt was a header from outside the box.

Just after the half hour mark Nardiello combined well with Idrizaj, but the Austrian delayed his shot and was eventually denied by a good block by a defender. Idrizaj would have better luck three minutes after the break when Hammill's curling ball behind the back four presented him with a one on one with the keeper. 'Bez' made no mistake with a powerful shot which flew past the keeper into the net at the Kop end.

Two minutes later Owens made what looked at the time like a bit of a defensive substitution, withdrawing Nardiello and sending on a midfielder - Paul Barratt - in his place. The move completely changed the game in Liverpool's favour, as suddenly the extra man in midfield gave Cardiff all kinds of trouble.

As well as the numerical advantage, Barratt's directness and desire to run in behind the defence gave the reds an option which wasn't there before. Most of the play had been in front of the defence, but suddenly Barratt was getting in behind them.

He almost scored within two minutes of coming on, when he arrived at the back post from a right wing corner, and his shot was headed off the line by a defender. Three minutes later he picked the ball up on halfway and drove at the defence, going past at least two challenges before seeing his cross-shot deflected onto the roof of the net.

From the resulting corner, the reds' doubled their advantage. As the croner came over Antwi rose highest but couldn't get enough on his header. Hammill retrieved the ball and clipped it back into the danger area, and although the ball was headed clear it fell only to Jimmy Ryan 25 yards out, and he sent in a swerving half volley which found the top corner. A great goal.

Ryan was replaced four minutes later by Charlie Barnett, having looked as though he'd picked up a knock. Liverpool were now giving Cardiff a lot of problems, as the midfield runners Barratt and Flynn were getting in behind, and Hammill and Anderson were getting on the ball a lot more than they were able to in the first half.

This was because Liverpool stretched the play so well after the break. The widemen stayed on the touchline when we had the ball, which gave those inside more room in which to play. In the first half it had been much more condensed and everything had gone through the middle. When Barratt came on to play on the left, suddenly everything opened up and chances were created.

I'd like to take the credit for that astute tactical observation, but sadly I can't as it was Jay Spearing's dad, Keith, who picked up on it and pointed it out. I just overheard him and thought "yeah, he's right".

It looked certain to be 3-0 when Anderson's cross defelcted off a defender and hurtled goalwards. The keeper had come out to intercept the cross, and the deflected sent it past him but he somehow managed to turn back and palm the ball off the line to safety. It was a great save to be fair.

Liverpool were dominating possession, and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. The side grew in confidence as the game progressed, and the midfield especially seemed to grow in stature after the break. Cardiff couldn't get near enough to the likes of Barnett and Flynn, and the reds played out time without ever looking like conceding a goal.

Hobbs and Antwi were completely dominant, and even though Cardiff's front two looked to be good players, they got nothing out of the twin towers. At right back Miki Roque defended well, and showed a lot of class on the ball with some lovely touches and turns. Darby was his usual flawless self.

With such a strong backline, Liverpool have a chance of going very far in this competition. The only concern I have is whether they can score enough goals. The second half performance was encouraging, but if the first half performance is repeated then they may not get past the next round. Ipswich lie in wait now, and they are the current holders of the youth cup, and have already beaten the reds this season.

Hammill and Anderson are the key for me, as they are the two most creative players in the side. Both had their moments today, but both can also do more. Hammill took a bit of a kicking and ended up leaving the field late on with cramp. He played well though, and if a way can be found of getting him the ball when he only has one player to beat then he could be devastating. Too often though when he gets the ball he is faced by three or four opponents.

Idrizaj didn't do much apart from the goal, and he and Nardiello seemed a bit too similar to work as a pair. It's the first time they've played together though, so I guess that's to be expected. For the Ipswich game either Hammill or Anderson may be pushed forward with Barratt (or even Barnett) coming into the side.

This was a good start, but an improvement will definitely be needed in the next round. With such a strong back four however, no-one will be looking forward to facing the young reds.

I'm giving Barratt the star man, even though he was only on the field a little over half an hour. That's possibly a bit unfair on the likes of Hobbs and Roque, but the game noticably picked up when Barratt came on and he played really well. It was refeshing to see a player adopt such a direct approach and drive at defenders.

He was excellent last season, and was a regular with the reserves. This year hasn't been good for him though, as he's not been anywhere near the reserve set up and has been in and out of the u18 side. Hopefully this performance will give his confidence a boost and we'll see the Paul Barratt of last season more regularly.

The next game is expected to be played some time in mid/late January, and will be at Anfield.


Team: Roberts; Roque, Antwi, Hobbs, Darby; Anderson, Ryan (Barnett), Flynn, Hammill (Burns); Nardiello (Barratt), Idrizaj: