Liverpool u18 1 Man Utd u18 0 (Nov 4 2006)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 1 Man Utd U18 0

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Jay Spearing Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Liverpool Academy, Kirkby Date - Sat 4 Nov 2006 Star Man - Robbie Threlfall

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool u18s finally got their long awaited first win of the season as a terrific 2nd half strike from skipper Jay Spearing condemned Manchester United’s youngsters to a 1-0 defeat at the reds’ Academy on Saturday morning. The scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of John Owens side’s dominance, but he’ll be delighted with a performance that saw his team dominate United for long periods.

The reds line up was boosted with the inclusion of Melwood based trio Steven Darby, Robbie Threlfall and Ryan Flynn all included along with fit again Jimmy Ryan, who made his first appearance of the season. Ryan lined up in an unaccustomed role on the left wing, but he acquitted himself excellently and played his part in a fine team display.

Darby and Threlfall gave the defence the experience that has been lacking for much of the season. Darby was right back, with Threlfall partnering Laurence Gaughan at the heart of the defence and Michael Burns at left back. Flynn was on the right wing, with Spearing in the centre of midfield alongside Barnett. Ryan Wignall partnered Ray Putterill in attack.

The tone was set in the opening minute, when Burns collected the ball in his own half and surged forward towards the United box, before squaring the ball to Barnett who fizzed a shot just over from 30 yards.

Ryan put a shot wide from the edge of the box after five minutes, and ten minutes later Spearing had a left foot strike from 25 yards saved by the United keeper.

United had not threatened at all in the opening exchanges, but in striker Fabien Brandy they had a player who needed to be watched closely. On 18 minutes he escaped down the left flank and cut the ball back to Hewson. His shot was blocked superbly by Threlfall. Two minutes later Brandy made space for himself in the box again, but his shot found the side netting.

Ryan and Barnett then exchanged passes before Ryan unleashed a venous drive from 25 yards that the keeper just about managed to tip over the bar.

The end to end stuff continued as a quick free kick sent Brandy scampering away towards goal. Threlfall did very well to get across and put him under pressure, but the striker still managed to prod the ball past Dave Roberts, but his shot was weak and Burns hacked it off the line to safety.

That was the closest United would come to a goal, as from then on it was all Liverpool.

Five minutes before the break, good play on the left from Ryan allowed Spearing to play a 1-2 with Barnett and get a shot in, but it went straight at the keeper who made an easy stop.

As the first half drew to a close, the reds forced a succession of set pieces in the United half. When a corner wasn’t cleared properly, Flynn played a great ball down the right to Burns who showed good strength to muscle his way past a defender and whip over a cross that beat the keeper and bounced off the top of the bar.

The half had been even in terms of possession, but the reds had looked to carry the greater goal threat, even if most of their efforts had been from outside the box.

It was no surprise therefore, that the opening goal arrived via a long range strike. It came via the right boot of the skipper. Barnett did well to feed Wignall on the left, and he laid the ball into the path of Spearing 30 yards from goal. Space opened up in front of him as he carried the ball forward, and he drilled a low shot past the keeper into the far corner.

Jay was delighted, and was mobbed by his team-mates who knew the potential significance of the strike. It’s been a tough season so far for the boys, and they haven’t always got the results their performances have deserved. Now they just had to not concede a goal, and the monkey would be off their back.

I was a little worried that they’d become edgy and drop deeper and deeper trying to protect their lead, but they actually did the opposite and began pouring forward looking for another goal. Speo’s strike seemed to fill the whole side with confidence, as they tore into United with attack after attack.

A minute after taking the lead, Ryan’s well weighted pass sent Putterill away in the inside right channel. The striker had one defender to beat, and he did so comfortably, cleverly taking the ball inside and creating space for a shot. I was right behind the shot and it was headed for the far corner before it struck a backtracking defender on the arse and went behind for a corner.

I was expecting some kind of fightback from United, but it never materialised. The reds dominated possession, and the lively Putterill ensured the United defence had their hands full. Flynn had an excellent chance to make it 2-0 when Ryan’s excellent cross picked him out at the far post, but his header was saved by the keeper.

Owens made his first change with 25 minutes remaining, when he replaced Ryan with striker Michael Scott. Jimmy had played really well, especially considering he was in a position that doesn’t really suit him. He passed the ball well, got stuck in and provided some good crosses from the left flank. It’s good to see him back, as he’s a talented player.

Scott’s arrival meant Wignall dropping back to the left flank, and the substitute’s first touch was a turn and shot in the box that was gathered by the keeper. A minute later Putterill produced a good run and cross from the right that the United defence made a meal of clearing. Scott did well to put a defender under pressure and direct the ball back to Barnett, but his goalbound shot took a deflected and went agonisngly wide.

Shortly after, Flynn got away down the right and crossed to Wignall on the back post. His first touch was excellent and enabled him to get his shot in, but once more the ball went inches past the post.

The reds were creating chances with every attack now, and two minutes later Putterill split the defence with a pass to the ever willing Flynn. The young Scot only had the keeper to beat, but his touch was too heavy as he tried to take the ball around him.

Three minutes later United’s keeper was caught in no mans land on the right touchline, and was dispossessed by Putterill. The striker crossed the ball in to Wignall, but his shot was cleared off the goal-line by a defender, but only as far as Barnett on the edge of the box. He fired it back in, but again it was deflected off a defender and went just the wrong side of the post.

From the corner, Barnett whipped the ball in and Spearing stole in between two defenders to meet the ball, but headed wide from close range. Spearing had another opportunity two minutes later, when he did well to hold off a defender but couldn’t get enough on the ball at full stretch and the keeper made a save.

That incident happened with six minutes left, and after seeing so many chances go begging I really started to worry that United would somehow sneak a late equaliser. That would have been devastating for the lads after all they’d put into the game, but it never really looked like happening. United did start to throw men forward and attempted to apply some pressure, but the reds defence coped easily enough.

All of the back four performed well, and Roberts never had to make any save of note in the entire ninety minutes. Threlfall in particular was very impressive, defending resolutely and using the ball intelligently.

Owens made another change in stoppage time, bringing off Putterill and introducing Jonathon Pringle. Putterill had ran himself into the ground and had not given United’s defence a second’s peace. He chased them into corners and put them under pressure, and when he had the ball he was lively and made things happen.

He was a strong contender for the star man award, as were several others. I’m going for Threlfall though, as he never put a foot wrong in the entire ninety minutes.

The win was long overdue, and the final whistle was greeted with great joy from the lads. If they play like this every week, they’ll beat anybody. The problem is that Owens cannot pick a settled side because of the Melwood contingent not always being available.

With a full compliment to choose from, the reds will give anyone a game. That probably won’t happen too often, but at least the lads can enjoy this victory.

Team: Roberts; Darby, Gaughan, Threlfall, Burns; Flynn, Barnett, Spearing, Ryan (Scott); Wignall, Putterill (Pringle):