It was a very young Liverpool side that lined up against Derby County in this academy game, and it showed just by comparing the size of the players. There were seven 17 year olds starting this Under 19 fixture, and with having such a young side, it will be difficult for new Under 19 boss John Owens to repeat the success of last year.
A derelict and empty Baseball Ground was the scene, and surprisingly there was a very small crowd. If you exclude the friends and family, who sat in the directors’ box, there were only 9 fans there… despite it not clashing with Derby’s game in the afternoon, and being free to get in.
Liverpool started the brighter of the two teams, with Potter and Welsh just having the edge in the midfield battle. The strike pair of Gillespie playing just behind Smyth was causing Derby’s defence a few problems, with their pace, and movement, and it was the ever willing duo that forced a mistake that gave the first chance at goal. Pressure from Gillespie caused the Derby centre half to leave his back pass short, and Smyth’s dummy beat the oncoming keeper, but unfortunately gave the full back time to recover and get in a challenge.
A few minutes later Smyth received the ball deep and played a wonderful reverse pass inside the right-back to release Robbie Foy, but his shot was just the wrong side of the post.
After a bit of a scramble in the penalty box, Gillespie created some space with a neat turn, and his shot beat the keeper, only to be cleared by Derby’s impressive full back off the line.
It was all Liverpool in the first half, and with Whitbread and Raven looking solid at the back, it was giving the rest of the team a platform to build from. Gillespie had the next chance with a rifled shot from the edge of the box needing a great save from the Derby keeper to prevent it arrowing into the bottom corner.
From the resultant corner Whitbread had a header, but couldn’t get enough power or direction on it, to his obvious disgust.
In fact, it was a good half hour before Derby even had a sniff at goal, their first effort coming as their striker held off the challenge of Whitbread, before Harrison in goal came out and produced a great block.
Derby were getting more into the game towards the end of the first half, but Liverpool still had a good chance to take the lead when Derby failed to clear a corner, and in the resulting scramble Gillespie got a shot away, only for it to once again be cleared off the line. The clearance fell to Welsh who struck his shot well, but wide of the target.
With only a couple of minutes to go until half time, Derby took a crucial lead. A long drive hit the bar, and the rebounding ball fell to the Derby right-winger, who was tripped by Nicholas for a penalty. Nicholas didn’t need to really make that challenge, but fell for it hook, line and sinker. It was a shame, as the defence had looked solid up until that point.
Derby’s right back took it, and despite Harrison getting a hand to it he couldn’t keep it out, as he dived to his right and found the ball being hit hard and central.
HALF TIME: DERBY COUNTY U19’s 1 LIVERPOOL U19’s 0
Derby were on top at the start of the second half, and the midfield ascendancy definitely swung against Liverpool, resulting in little service for the front pair and the wingers. The full backs were looking more and more vulnerable, and Whitbread was particularly important in keeping things together at the back. He won everything in the air, was strong and crisp in the tackle, and looked comfortable on the ball. The captain was leading by example.
Despite having all the play, Derby didn’t really create that many chances (or is it that I can’t remember their chances?). The big centre forward had a few tricks up his sleeve, and looked handy at times, but his mouth got him into trouble when he said something to the ref, not for the first time as well, and found himself in the book. He wasn’t as much of a threat after that.
The welcome addition of Mark Peers made a difference as he came on for Carl Clampitt, who had struggled to make any sort on impact on the game. Starting on the right wing Peers showed a willingness to run at the opposition, and was our best outlet as Liverpool looked to get back into the game.
As the pressure grew on Liverpool, it seemed only a matter of time before Derby got the crucial second goal, and sure enough, Molloy (?) burst from midfield, evaded the challenge of the otherwise impressive Whitbread, and beat Harrison for the crucial second goal.
Derby sat back, and Peers switched to the left wing, where he was to give the Derby defence all sorts of problems. It was another foray forward by Peers, supported by substitute Massie that produced a chance Gillespie, but he couldn’t get on the end of it. Peers surged past the full back once again, rode the challenge of the big centre half (when he could have possibly gone down), and despite his first cross being blocked, managed to get a shot in which was swiftly caught by the keeper. The pull back would have been the better option as Gillespie and Potter were in support.
A right wing corner resulted in Nicholas putting the ball into the net with a firm header, but the referee had spotted the shove from behind that gave him the free header, so the goal was disallowed; More frustration for Liverpool.
It was Peers again who was the catalyst, as Liverpool got a goal back. Peers received the ball down the left, played a one-two with Massie, before turning to create a bit of space, and then producing a lovely reverse pass to John Welsh who was surging forward. Welsh was brought down for a penalty, and finally Liverpool’s neat build up play got its reward. Gillespie took the spot kick, and a little Johnny Aldridge shuffle later and the ball was despatched into the net. It was too little too late, as the ref blew up for time shortly afterwards. I think there was a lot of injury time as Derby’s physio must have been on at least seven times, with various players getting various ailments. Two or three of the Derby players were suffering from cramp, showing just how hard they had worked to close down the threat of Liverpool young side.
FULL TIME: DERBY COUNTY U19’s 2 LIVERPOOL U19’s 1
The result was a little disappointing, as was the performance in the second half when the lads didn’t really get going until they were two down. I would be a bit surprised if they Under 19’s are able to repeat last season’s title winning success, mainly because they are such a young side. Many of these players have another two years at this level, so this year may well be a learning process. Derby were a much bigger and stronger side, and although Liverpool knocked the ball about better, and were more comfortable on the ball, they may find this season a frustrating one as bigger and older teams manage to stop them performing.
But saying that, a two year age gap at this level is a big one, and hopefully as the lads get more experience they will be all the better for it. You could tell by the approaches of either side yesterday the difference in the mentality that is stamped on each academy of the respective sides. Derby were all moaning and effing and blinding (sounding similar to the Main Stand on a match day
), whereas Liverpool were encouraging, and generally looked more professional. One bit of action summed this up for me: Welsh and Potter got in each others way, and instead of shouting and bawling at each other, they waited until the ball went out of play, before talking to each other, and working out what they were going to do. Before the match, the keepers were coaching each other, giving each other tips, and encouraging each other. After the match, while Derby disappeared down the tunnel, John Owens had a quick word with his boys, before proceeding with the warm down. The post-mortem would no doubt come later.
Looking at the Derby team, it looked as if they were going for a quick fix. There were lads that looked quite good, simply because they are bigger and stronger than the others around them. I have seen this many times before, and very few tend to make it. With the Liverpool side, many of the players are quite small, but you only have to look at the growth of Steven Gerrard to realise that while young players can get bigger and stronger, it is hard to get more talent out of them!! I know which policy I fancy.
The stand out player for me yesterday was Zak Whitbread. He was dominant in the air, and put in a very solid performance alongside Raven. Honourable mentions go to Raven, who partnered Whitbread so well, Potter, who showed a few neat touches, Welsh, who despite not being at his best, still looked the most likely to produce the killer ball, and Mark Peers, who caused a lot of problems when he came on.
Team:
Harrison – Vaughan (Flynn) Raven Whitbread Nicholas – Clampitt (Peers) Welsh Potter Foy – Gillespie Smyth (Massie)
MOM: Whitbread.
Paul Gray.
