Liverpool u18 3 Newcastle u18 1 - FA Youth Cup SF 2nd leg (Mar 19 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL U18 3 Newcastle u18 1

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Craig Lindfield (2) Jimmy Ryan Half Time - 0-1 Venue - Anfield Date - Mon 19 Mar 2007 Star Man - Ray Putterill

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reds youngsters moved a step closer to retaining the FA Youth Cup, as two goals from Craig Lindfield and a trademark Jimmy Ryan piledriver saw them come from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1 on the night, and 7-3 on aggregate. The only sour note was a red card for promising Swedish midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, but he is expected to be available for the final.

Although it all turned out well in the end, for a long time Newcastle were well and truly in this tie. Whilst it was never exactly in the balance, as the Geordies always trailed on aggregate, they did get within a goal of levelling things up and Liverpool had some anxious moments in the first half.


It started well enough, as the returning Ray Putterill (pictured) - back from suspension - caused the Newcastle defence plenty of problems early on. Every time he had the ball in an advanced position, he either got a cross or a shot in. The problem was, Liverpool didn't dominate possession enough to be able to get him as much of the ball as he needed.

The reds could have gone in front after just three minutes, when Ryan escaped a couple of challenges in the midfield and slid a lovely through ball into the path of Ryan Flynn. He took the ball around the keeper but forced himself too wide, and when he eventually got his shot in the keeper had got back to make an easy save.

Liverpool had made a promising start, and on six minutes Ryan drilled a low shot with his left foot narrowly wide of the far post from 25 yards after Newcastle hadn't dealt with a ball from Spearing. Two minutes later Ryan whipped in a brilliant cross towards Lindfield, but the striker was challenged as he attempted a volley and the ball went harmless away from goal.

Minutes later some excellent play from Putterill resulted in the ball being laid back to Burns, who's right foot shot was comfortably saved, and at this point everything was looking good for Steve Heighway's side.

Newcastle gradually began to get a foothold in the game however, and just as they had done in the 1st leg, they looked extremely dangerous from set pieces and from long balls up to the giant Andrew Carroll. The striker is easily the best player in Newcastle's ranks, and one smart turn and shot on 13 minutes forced a good save from Martin Hansen.


From the resulting corner Taylor sent a header goalwards, but Ryan was on the goalline to prevent the ball crossing the line, his header hitting the underside of the bar before rebounding to safety.

Newcastle's ploy from set pieces was usually to look for Carroll at the back post. Liverpool didn't have anyone who could match him in the air, but Ajdarevic is the tallest in the side so he was given the uneviable task of marking him. The referee seemed to have a real problem with Astrit though, as he kept telling him off whenever he tried to get close to Carroll on set pieces.

This was possibly a factor in Newcastle's opening goal, as the ref lectured the Swede and had only just finished doing so when the corner was taken and Cavener stole in unmarked to head past Hansen from six yards. The ball wasn't too far away from Astrit, but he couldn't get there in time as he seemed to have been distracted by the ref. I could be wrong about that, I'd need to see it again to be sure.

It was game on now though, and Newcastle had their tales up. No doubt the Liverpool bench were thinking back to last year's final, when the reds went into it with a three goal cushion and almost blew it. The first half performance against the Geordies was not good, and Heighway must have been praying for half time so he could give the lads a wake up call.

Whatever Heighway said at half time did the trick, as the reds were out on the field well before the visitors, and seemed like they couldn't wait to get the half started. They would be attacking the Kop too, which always helps.

When Newcastle eventually took to the field, their keeper refused to acknowledge the applause of the Kop. It always pisses me off when that happens, no matter what level the game is. He would pay for his insolence however, and it wouldn't take long.


Three minutes after the restart, Liverpool were level. A nice passing move saw the ball eventually arrive with Putterill on the left corner of the box. He made space and drilled in a low shot, but it was straight at the keeper and seemed harmless. The ball squirmed through the keeper's arms, and then his legs, presenting Lindfield with a tap in from virtually on the line.

There was a sense of relief all around Anfield, but it didn't last long as shortly after Ajdarevic was given a straight red card after a clash with Carroll near the halfway line. I didn't really see what happened, but the player claimed afterwards that he accidentally caught the Newcastle player with his arm, but he didn't mean to hit him.


The ref couldn't wait to brandish the card, as he had continued to pick on Astrit every time there was a set piece. I don't know what he had against the Swede, maybe he's prejudiced against hairbands? I know from personal experience what that's like, it's not nice so I sympathise with Ajdarevic. People with no little don't like those with lots of it. Better get used to it Astrit.

Newcastle will have sensed that this was their chance to turn the screw, but they failed to make the extra man count, and in truth you'd never have known Liverpool were a man short. Flynn dropped back into midfield to replace Ajdarevic, and it was business as usual. Putterill headed over from a Barnett corner, and Lindfield blasted a shot goalwards from a tight angle that the keeper could only parry, but this time there was no-one on hand to capitalise on the rebound.

Lindfield was never isolated up front due to the excellence of Putterill and Ryan out wide, and those two combined to help put the reds 2-1 up on the night after 59 minutes. The ball was worked out to Putterill on the left, and he skipped away from his marker and drew another couple of defenders towards him as he ran across the field. He slid the ball across to Ryan on the right edge of the box, and his powerful shot was not held by the keeper allowing the predatory Lindfield to claim another simple tap in.

Newcastle were then reduced to ten men, when Lua Lua was given a straight red for something he said to the referee after Carroll had been adjudged to have committed a foul. The visitors continued to look a threat from set pieces, and Flynn had to clear off the goalline after a goalmouth scramble following a corner, but other than that the reds were in control.

Ryan added a third with a viscious low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards, his 3rd goal of the youth cup run, putting him level with Flynn, Lindfield and Putterill.


The final whistle saw the lads begin celebrating reaching their second consecutive final. Many of this squad were involved last season, and it's a tribute to them that they have reached this stage again, despite being without players of the calibre of Hobbs, Antwi, Anderson, Roque and Hammill this season. For me, this side is actually better than last year's, and I didn't think I'd be saying that when the competition started.

Some lads have really stepped up during this cup run. As superb a pairing as Antwi and Hobbs were last season, Spearing and Threlfall have more than matched them. The only issue is the lack of height, that has been exposed occasionally, most notably by Newcastle who managed three goals from set pieces. In open play, the reds central defenders have been almost unbreachable.

Anderson made a name for himself in last years youth cup, but he hasn't been missed because Ryan has performed so well. Jimmy's a different type of player to 'Ando', but his performances have been superb throughout this cup run, and he has chipped in with three goals, two more than Anderson managed.

The flair of Hammill was always going to be tough to replace, but Putterill has managed it and has scored more goals than Adam. He's been a revelation this season and will be a key figure in the final.

Arsenal lead 1-0 from the 1st leg, and I think I'd prefer to play them because it would be nice to go to the Emirates Stadium, and after what happened in the Carling Cup and the subsequent criticism our youth system receieved whilst Arsenal were lauded, no doubt Heighway and his squad would be desperate to make a point.

It will be a tough game whoever gets through the other semi, but this team don't have to worry about facing anybody as their team spirit is fantastic, and they're playing some excellent football.

Team: Hansen; Darby (Kelly), Spearing, Threlfall, Burns; Ryan, Barnett, Ajdarevic, Putterill (Irwin); Flynn, Lindfield (Scott):