Liverpool u18's were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at the Academy this afternoon. Forest led 1-0 at half time having had the advantage of a strong wind in the opening 45 minutes, but the reds hit back after the break and led 2-1 through goals by Jonathon Pringle (pictured) and Craig Lindfield, before Forest equalised from the penalty spot.
Liverpool struggled to cope with the wind in the first half, and fell behind early on to a well struck free kick by the impressive German youngster Felix Bastians. The reds failed to manage any meaningful effort on goal in the opening 45 minutes, but with the wind at their backs after the break they came out flying.
Pringle levelled the scores with a good header, and not long after Lindfield also headed home after good work by man of the match Jimmy Ryan.
Forest keeper Shane Redmond, an Ireland u18 international, was in excellent form and made several good stops to keep his side in the game. The visitors levelled after a defensive by error by Jay Spearing, who was making his first start since breaking his leg against Leeds in September.
He was caught out by the wind and played his keeper Paul Lancaster into trouble, and although Lancaster felt he had both hands on the ball when he was challenged by a Forest striker, the ball came loose and he hauled back the forward and a penalty was awarded. Bastians scored from the spot for his second of the game.
Redmond made a stunning late save from Paul Barratt to preserve a point for the visitors.
Team: Lancaster; Holmes, Spearing, Woods, Threlfall; Platt, Flynn, Ryan, Barratt; Pringle (Nardiello), Lindfield (Wignall):
