FA Youth Cup 6th Round - Liverpool u18 6 Carlisle u18 0 (Feb 20 2006)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 6 Carlisle U18 0

Report by Peter Schulz at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Craig Lindfield (3), Charlie Barnett, Adam Hammill, Michael Nardiello Half Time - 3-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Mon 20 Feb 2006 Star Man - Adam Hammill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool's Youth Cup side booked a place in the semi finals having seen off Carlisle in an impressive 6-0 hammering at Anfield in front of a crowd nearly 3,000 on Monday night. The reds, led brilliantly by Adam Hammill, simply had too much for the visitors and right from kick off Carlisle were chasing shadows.

Liverpool handed 15 year old Ben Parsonage his debut on the right side of midfield, and the youngster impressed throughout. It was, however, Hammill who stole the show even though forward Craig Lindfield left with the match ball.

The first threat to the Carlisle goal came as early as the first minute when Hammill’s cross from the left was just too high for Lindfield to get his header on target. Six minutes later Parsonage dragged a shot wide.

The reds were well on top and it seemed just a matter of time before the they would strike and silence the annoying Carlisle fans’ big drum in the middle of the Kop. Sheffield Wednesday fans certainly have a lot to answer for.

The first goal arrived on 21 minutes when Parsonage collected Hammill’s pass and ran at the defence. He could have attempted a shot himself but instead he fed Lindfield who had made a diagonal run. His finish from the right nestled in the back of the far corner of the net. It was a very smart finish from the U18’s top scorer, but there was a lot more to come.

On the half hour mark Charlie Barnett ran at the defence from the centre of midfield and his 25 yard shot swerved away from the goalkeeper and into the corner. Another wonderful strike from Barnett, who is really starting to look very promising.

Barnett wasn’t finished though and just four minutes later his freekick from the touchline on Liverpool’s left found Lindfield who rose magnificently at the far post to steer it into the net. Five minutes later, Barnett’s freekick skimmed the top of the bar and went over.

Chances would not stop coming for the reds and Adam Hammill was running the show completely. It is a long time since I’ve seen anyone be so dominant in any game at any level. It was like watching Steve McManaman running the show at Anfield in the 90s. Time and time again he made the Carlisle defence look like Harlem Globetrotters’ opponents. All he needed was a goal, but more on that later.

Second half continued much the same as the first and we were left wondering how many we would end up getting. Hammill had a curling shot saved well by the keeper and Charlie Barnett’s freekick was headed just wide by a Carlisle defender in the 53rd minute.

The ensuing corner was taken poorly by Barnett, but Paul Anderson darted in front of the defence to flick it on for Lindfield to bundle home for his hattrick. Ryan Flynn then headed over from another corner.

John Owens made his first change bringing on Paul Barratt in place of Paul Anderson, who had played up front. The move saw Hammill moved to the right and Parsonage tucking in alongside Lindfield up front. Barratt played on the left.

Four minutes later the reds made it five with the goal of the match. Adam Hammill won the ball on the halfway line and turned to run at the defence, but instead of doing so he spotted the Carlisle keeper off his line. Hammill’s 45 yard shot was perfectly weighted and it was worth the £4 entry fee alone.

The ever dependable Godwin Antwi who had impressed once again made way for Jordan Holmes on 79 minutes. Stephen Darby moved from right back to the centre as Holmes played his normal position. Two minutes later Michael Nardiello replaced Lindfield who left the field to great applause.

It took Nardiello four minutes to get his first and the reds’ sixth of the night. He got the ball outside the box and seemed to step on the ball and lose the chance. But the Carlisle defender stood off him and allowed him to turn. Nardiello’s low left foot shot went in at the far post with the keeper again left with no chance.

The substitute striker should then have added a seventh when he ran onto Barnett’s delicious through ball but he dragged it just wide when it was easier to score.

The reds had to settle for a 6-0 win against a team who admittedly looked very poor. That was mainly down to great reds performances all over the park, goalkeeper Dave Roberts perhaps apart. He had nothing to do all night.

At the back Jack Hobbs and Antwi were dominant on the floor and in the air, and while Darby was once again solidity itself, Robbie Threlfall at left back kept making forward runs to support the attack.

In midfield Charlie Barnett and Ryan Flynn were in complete control and Parsonage should be very pleased with his debut at this level. He looks an exciting prospect with his runs – and the fact he can cross the ball with both feet.

But while Lindfield scored three good goals and Anderson was full of running up front, the star man could be no other than the excellent Adam Hammill. He really seems to enjoy playing at Anfield and his two best performances this season have come there in the Youth Cup. His next challenge is now to do it regularly for the reserves.

The semis will be a two-legged affair against Southampton. The first leg is played at Anfield but the date is yet to be announced (= I can’t find it on .tv)


Team: Roberts; Darby, Antwi (Holmes), Hobbs, Threlfall; Parsonage, Barnett, Flynn, Hammill; Anderson (Barratt), Lindfield (Nardiello):