Liverpool u18 3 Stoke City u18 0 (Dec 2 2006)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 3 Stoke City U18 0

Report by Peter Schulz at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Ryan Flynn (2), Craig Lindfield Half Time - 2-0 Venue - Liverpool Academy, Kirkby Date - Sat 2 Dec 2006 Star Man - Craig Lindfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool U18s continued their recent revival with the performance of the season in a resounding 3-0 win over rock bottom Stoke City. Two headed goals from Ryan Flynn and one from man of the match Craig Lindfield ensured that the three points were never in doubt for a strong home side that also included reserve squad members Robbie Threlfall and Stephen Darby.

The reds started in an adventurous 4-3-3 with Putterill and Wignall either side of Lindfield up front and a midfield trio of Ryan and Flynn in front of captain Spearing. In defence, full backs Darby and Burns were either side of Threlfall and Gaughan in the centre, and Steve Heighway and John Owens handed Josh Mimms a rare start because of the suspension to Dave Roberts. Mimms didn’t have a save to make all game.

The reds started off in dominant mood as Putterill, looking fitter than ever, was busy down the left hand side causing the fullback all sorts of trouble. Ryan Flynn was making intelligent runs from midfield and missed two good chances in the opening fifteen minutes. First his sidefooted volley from Ryan’s freekick by the left corner flag sailed over and minutes later his half volley from the edge of the box fizzed just over.

He made up for his misses on the half hour as he arrived late in the box to plant a diving header into the Stoke net from Putterill’s cross.

The reds had been stronger on the left hand side in the first half, but in the second, it was Wignall on the right who caught the eye with some very neat play. Two minutes after the interval he beat his marker and got to the byline and after Lindfield had had his attempt blocked, Spearing’s low drive went inches wide.

Further chances fell to Putterill, whose effort was saved and Lindfield who headed wide after Darby had both with crosses from the right hand side.

The second goal finally came midway through the second half and again it was from the brilliant right. This time it was Lindfield who provided the cross and Flynn again arrived late to place a stooping header past the Stoke keeper. He nearly got his hattrick just five minutes later, but his excellent back heel flick rebounded off the post and was cleared.

A minute later Lindfield finally got the goal his performance had deserved. He latched onto a poor headed backpass from the Stoke defence to put the ball in an empty net. The goal was easy but the young forward showed just how much he has developed over the past twelve or so months. He works hard, scores goals, can hold the ball up and bring teammates into play. But first of all, he is an intelligent footballer whose decision-making skills are at a level of their own at this level.

It was a solid performance by the reds U18s and a timely boost ahead of Wednesday night’s defence of the FA Youth Cup at the Hawthorns. Coach John Owens, whose own son was a Stoke City substitute, will have been pleased with the family bragging rights.

Meanwhile, the U16s with a couple of trialists from Sweden and Australia continued a very good season as they ran out 4-0 winners on the other side of the Academy building. Swedish midfielder Ivo Pekalski, Steve Irwin and promising forward Nathan Eccleston were among the scorers.

Team: Mimms; Darby (Routledge), Gaughan, Threlfall, Burns; Flynn, Spearing, Ryan; Wignall, Lindfield (Collins), Putterill (Woodward):