Liverpool u18 0 Sheffield Wednesday u18 1 (Mar 15 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 0 Sheff Wed U18 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Academy

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - The Academy Date - Thu 15 Mar 2007 Star Man - Josh Mimms

 

 

 

 

 

 

An unfamiliar looking Liverpool u18 side went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday afternoon. The Owls scored the only goal of the game on the hour mark, but in truth they always looked the more dangerous side and Liverpool rarely threatened to find a way through the visitors' well organised defence. John Owens made eleven changes to the side that had performed so well in the FA Youth Cup semi final 1st leg at St James' Park last weekend.

With the 2nd leg due to be played this coming Monday there was no chance of Owens risking injury to any of the players who will be on youth cup duty, so this game offered the rest of his squad a chance to impress.

Josh Mimms was handed a rare start in goal, behind a back four of John Routledge, Laurence Gaughan, Martin Kelly and Shane O'Connor. I think this was Kelly's first start for the u18s, as he'd only just returned from a long injury absence. O'Connor is usually a left winger, and I believe this was his first game at full back, so the defence were not exactly used to playing together.


The midfield was unfamilar too, although it was relatively well balanced with people playing in positions they are used to. Ben Parsonage was on the right, with skipper for the day Paul Barratt on the other flank. In the middle were Mattone Awang, and u16 star Sean Highdale, who appeared as a late sub at St James' Park. This was Highdale's first start for the u18s, and he was joined in the starting line up by his u16 team-mate Nathan Ecclestone, who partnered Jonathon Pringle up front (both pictured).

The visitors made the brighter start, with their 4-3-3 formation causing a few problems for the reds' inexperienced backline. Several times they looked they were going to get in behind, often aided by a linesman who seemed determined not to raise his flag no matter what, but for all the promising situations the Owls found themselves in, they couldn't get close enough to trouble Mimms.

The first goal attempt of the game didn't arrive until a quarter of an hour, when Ecclestone and Parsonage combined well down the right, allowing Awang to pick out Barratt in space, but his low shot from 20 yards was comfortably wide.

15 minutes later Wednesday should have taken the lead, when two mistakes by the reds prresented them with a golden opportunity. First, Barratt played a dangerous ball across the midfield that was intercepted. The ball was lofted over the top, but Gaughan appeared to have things under control, until he didn't get anywhere near enough on his headed backpass, and their centre forward found himself one on one with Mimms. He tried to divert the ball past the keeper, but Mimms did brilliantly to make a reaction save and push the ball wide.

With 36 minutes gone the reds put together their best move of the game. Highdale showed great tenacity to get away from a couple of challenges and then slid in to get the ball into the path of Parsonage on the right. He did really well to get down the line and whip over a great cross to the back post that was met by Barratt, but his headed was blocked by a defender.


Two minutes later came the most uncomfortable moment of the game for the Wednesday keeper. Routledge delivered an excellent deep cross that the right back tried to head behind, but instead sent the ball flying towards the top corner. The keeper got across well and tipped the ball over. From the corner, Highdale (pictured) volleyed just wide from 25 yards.

Wednesday looked the more composed of the sides, and carried the greater threat up front, without ever really doing anything outstanding. It wasn't like they were putting the reds under any sustained pressure, but they looked in control at the back and looked more likely to score.

John Owns made his first change on the hour mark, bringing on Collins for the ineffective Pringle. 'JP' had spent virtually the whole game receiving the ball with his back to goal, usually near the half way line. It was a tough game for him, as Liverpool's inability to mount any sustained pressure meant he couldn't get enough of the ball in forward areas. Owens felt a different approach was needed, and went for the mobility of Collins. The change had no bearing on the goal it must be said.

To be fair to Wednesday it was a superb goal, very well worked and brilliantly finished. Their lively ginger haired substitute (he wore 15, but there was no 15 on the teamsheet so I have no idea who he is) broke though the middle and released David McClements in the inside left channel with just Mimms to beat. He ran onto the ball and hit it forst time, curling the ball right footed into the far corner, leaving Mimms with no chance. It was the type of goal Michael Owen made his trademark.

Liverpool never really looked like getting back into it. Two minutes later they almost created something when Barratt got away down the left and drilled the ball across the box. Awang didn't get anything on it, and then Collins couldn't convert it either and the danger was cleared.

The best chance they had fell to centre half Kelly, who planted a free header from six yards well wide following a Highdale free kick from the left. Owens introduced u15 winger Ali Asgari in place of Highdale, but it made little difference and the visitors held on easily. Wednesday fielded a few overage players, and it showed. They looked very comfortable at the back and in the end it was a straight forward enough victory for them.

Picking a star man was near enough impossible, as no-one stood out. It was a very disappointing performance, albeit understandably given that a lot of these lads had never played together before. I'm giving it to Mimms, not because he was outstanding or had a lot to do, but whatever he had to do he did well. He made some smart catches from crosses, had no chance with the goal and made one brilliant stop. So he gets it, by default really.

Team: Mimms; Routledge, Gaughan, Kelly, O'Connor; Parsonage, Awang, Highdale (Asgari), Barratt; Pringle (Collins), Ecclestone: