Newcastle Res 0 Liverpool Res 3 (Mar 27 2007)

[TLW]

Newcastle Res 0 LIVERPOOL RES 3

Report by Dave Usher at Kingston Park

Scorer(s) - Jay Spearing, Craig Lindfield, Ray Putterill Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Kingston Park, Newcastle Date - Mon 26 Mar 2007 Star Man - Jay Spearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second half goals from youth cup stars Jay Spearing, Craig Lindfield and Ray Putterill gave the reds’ reserves an impressive 3-0 win over Newcastle in the north east last night. Liverpool dominated the game throughout and played some excellent football. The goals all came in the final 13 minutes, but in truth the reds should have been well in front by that stage given the amount of chances they’d created.

Last week saw Gary Ablett name a star studded reserve line up, and they saw off Blackburn in impressive fashion. There were no big stars this time, but the performance was just as impressive. Only Insua, Paletta, Hobbs and Lindfield remained from the side that defeated Blackburn, as Ablett called on the youngsters.


Daniele Padelli returned in goal in place of Jerzy Dudek, Steven Darby (right) stepped in for Alvaro Arbeloa at right back, whilst Ronald Huth came into the back four in place of Hobbs, who was needed in midfield. Spearing partnered him in the centre, with Flynn and Threlfall on the flanks and Anderson supporting Lindfield up front.

One of the most pleasing aspects of this performance was that it showed the versatility of some of these players. Spearing and Threlfall have excelled as centre halves in the youth cup, but in this game both played in midfield, and both were outstanding. Flynn has been playing as a second striker in the youth cup, but he was on the flank this time, and he too played very well.

It did take the lads a long time to get going, possibly due to the positional chances, and for the opening half hour or so not too much happened. The first time the reds looked remotely threatening was when Hobbs tried his luck from distance on the half hour mark. It went comfortably wide, but at least it was an attempt on goal.

It opened the floodgates, as from that moment on Liverpool piled on the pressure. A minute later, some great play by Spearing in the middle of the park saw him exchange passes with Threlfall and then play a defence splitting pass to Lindfield. He cut inside the last defender, and curled a shot towards the corner of the net, but it drifted just wide.

A minute after that, Spearing won the ball from Andy Carroll - the striker who had caused the reds’ defence so many problems in the recent youth cup games – and carried it to the edge of the box before shooting over with his left foot. The tenacious Spearing was involved in everything, and two minutes later he chased a high hanging ball over the top from Hobbs, plucked it out of the air and crossed it instantly to Lindfield, who’s close range shot was somehow kept out by the keeper. Wonderful play from Speo though.

A minute later he drilled a low shot just wide from 30 yards after being set up by Anderson, and a minute after that he returned the favour, drawing the attentions of two defenders before laying it off to Anderson who couldn’t keep his shot down.

Liverpool were running riot now, and on 39 minutes Lindfield dragged a shot well wide from 18 yards following a wonderful run from Insua that had taken him past three challenges. The left back’s marauding forward had been a feature of an impressive half, and his partnership with Threlfall on that flank looked very promising.

Liverpool had completely dominated Newcastle, with Spearing and Hobbs in complete control of the middle of the park. Hobbs is a much more accomplished footballer than he was this time last season, and he now looks like a midfielder rather than a centre back playing out of position. He was excellent against Newcastle, but it was Spearing that really stood out.

I’ve been singing Jay’s praises for a few years now, I think he’s a terrific player. He’s got the football brain of a 35 year old, and he reads the game so well. He’s a great organiser too, and is always barking out instructions to his team-mates. More than that though, the lad can play. He’s got a good range of passing, he can shoot and he’s got two good feet. He’s actually pretty good in the air too for someone so small, and I honestly can’t understand why he’s still at the Academy and not training full time at Melwood.

If anyone deserves to be at Melwood it’s Jay, he’s outstanding every single time he takes to the field, he never ever has a bad game, and it doesn’t matter what position he plays in, he always delivers a performance. I said to my mate Steve before the game that Speo would be man of the match, and even after 15 or 20 minutes it was obvious that he was the best player on the park. He got better and better, and it culminated in a magnificent goal that basically decided the game.

Liverpool had done everything but score, and it was beginning to look like the goal wouldn’t come. Hobbs had seen a shot deflected just wide after good play from Threlafall, and Anderson had just failed to convert a cross by Flynn after a brilliant defence splitting pass from Spearing had sent the young Scot clear down the right.

Then with 13 minutes to go, Spearing picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and lashed a shot into the top corner. Simply brilliant. The lad should be at Melwood, and it’s surely just a matter of time before he gets the call up. It’s a travesty that he isn’t there already to be honest, as he couldn’t possibly have done any more in any of the games he’s played.

Not content with being a goalscorer, he then turned provider six minutes later, taking charge of the situation and heading a ball over the top for Lindfield to latch onto. He cut inside a defender’s challenge, and then managed to smuggle the ball past the keeper into the net, possibly with the aid of a deflection, I’m not too sure. That’s four goals in a couple of weeks for Craig now against Newcastle, having scored against them in both legs of the youth cup semi.


He was replaced with four minutes to go by Putterill, a lad who has been in such good form for the u18 side this season. This was Ray’s first appearance for the reserves I think, and he wasted no time making his mark. He’d already curled a 20 yard shot just wide with his left foot before he got away in stoppage time and finished smartly to make it 3-0.

Spearing was undoubtedly the star man, but this was a really good team effort. Insua had a terrific first half, but was less effective after the break. Darby was his usual, reliable, solid self, and didn’t give Newcastle’s lively winger LuaLua a sniff. No-one gets the better of Darbs, he’s just so dogged and determined. The centre halves coped well with the threat of Carroll, who didn’t get a look in, and Threlfall was very good in an unfamiliar role.

Flynn and Anderson were both lively, and Lindfield was always a threat up front. As I said, a really good team display. Padelli had very little to do, but still managed to look the part. His kicking is good, and his punching was solid. I’ve liked what I’ve seen of him so far, he seems useful.

Next up for the ressies is a trip to Man City next week. It’s not a happy hunting ground usually, but the lads will have every right to feel confident given the way they are playing.

Team: Padelli; Darby, Huth, Paletta, Insua; Flynn, Hobbs, Spearing, Threlfall: Anderson (Barnett), Lindfield (Putterill):