Youths drew 1-1 yesterday against Liverpool

[markscfc72]

from there official site

YOUNGSTERS HELD BY STOKE

Paul Hassall at the Academy 09 February 2008
Liverpool Under-18s were left to rue a series of missed opportunities as they warmed up for next week's Youth Cup tie at Sunderland with a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City.
Hugh McAuley's men made a bright start to the match but fell behind on 11 minutes when City's Jimmy Phillips curled in a delightful free-kick.

It was a goal that came against the run of play, but the hosts managed to recover and went in at the interval level when Joe Kennedy turned in Astrit Ajdarevic's free-kick on 39 minutes.

The Reds upped their game after the break but despite seeing the visitors reduced to 10-men they could not find that elusive winning goal to leave manager Hugh McAuley frustrated with his forward line.

"It was a hard physical game," said McAuley.

"I felt we dominated the second-half for long periods and when they went down to 10-men we passed the ball and created chances.

"But perhaps the strongest part of our team in the first-half of the season are not quite firing at the moment and we've missed two or three good chances - through Eccleston, Pourie and Amoo - to win the game.

"It means we've ended up drawing a game we should have won. I was disappointed that we didn't take the three points but I thought Joe Kennedy worked hard for us at the back and scored an excellent goal while young Jack Metcalf came into the team, an under-16 player, and did very well for his first game.

"Now we need to focus on the Youth Cup game in Sunderland. We're really looking forward to it and we should have our full strength team available by then. We'll be hoping to go up to the Stadium of Light and put in another good performance."

An afternoon of frustration could have ended differently had Liverpool taken advantage of two good openings in the first few minutes.

First David Amoo's run and cross from the right was drilled just over by Astrit Ajdarevic before a period of sustained Reds pressure saw the ball run loose to Nathan Eccleston, but his instinctive shot on the turn was well parried by visiting keeper Danzelle St L Hamilton.

It was a save that would prove crucial to the outcome of the game as the away side broke forward and snatched a shock lead on 11 minutes.

Liverpool conceded a free-kick just outside the right hand side of their penalty area and they were duly punished when Jimmy Phillips curled in a superb strike at the near post.

It was a goal that buoyed the visitors and they could have doubled their advantage when Marc Grocott found space on 18 minutes but Mattone Awang produced an outstanding last-ditch tackle to keep the Reds in the game.

City looked like maintaining their lead into the break in what was a largely forgettable first-half but just when it seemed they would hold out Liverpool pulled themselves level.

A free-kick from the right was whipped into the area with pace by Ajdarevic allowing Joe Kennedy to arrive late in a crowded box and flick the ball beyond the keeper on 39 minutes.

The towering defender was on target against the Potters earlier in the season and had repeated the trick in the nick of time to ensure Liverpool were level pegging at the interval.

It was the perfect tonic for the Reds going into the second period and they were given a further boost on 57 minutes when Stoke striker Nathan McDonald received his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a late tackle on Ajdarevic.

Long periods of sustained Reds pressure ensued but try as they might, the breakthrough would not come.

On the hour mark Eccleston crossed for Amoo who was somehow denied from point blank range by Hamilton and the former Millwall youngster was left to curse his luck again just seconds later when he saw his close range shot blocked by a cluster of defenders after Joe Kennedy had headed a corner goalwards.

Next it was Eccleston's turn to be frustrated as he raced through in the inside left channel only to see his angled shot fly inches wide of the far post.

The England youth international then saw another effort blocked after great play by Pourie down the flank before a speculative 35-yard strike from Sean Highdale dropped just wide of the right hand post with Hamilton rooted to the spot.

With just seconds left the Reds still had three great opportunities to claim the three points but both Eccleston and Pourie (twice) missed their cue.

Liverpool: Hansen, Awang, O'Connor, Metcalf, Kennedy, Highdale, Amoo, Ajdarevic, Pourie, Eccleston, MacKay-Steven. Unused subs: Irwin, Oldfield, Scott, Della Fail. (only four subs selected)

Stoke: St L Hamilton, Diao, Vauls, Thorley, Page, Owens, Phillips (Yilmaz), Wedderburn, McDonald, Grocott, Brunt (Keys). Unused subs: Parton, Watson, McCormick.

[JoeinOz]

Thats a healthy result for the youths. You'd expect Liverpool to have a strong youth side.

[MarkWolstanton]

As per normal a good result was achieved on Merseyside despite the ref.

It is only on Merseyside and Manachester where the refs for the Academy games are provided locally. For example the officials for Stoke Academy home games are from Worcestershire.

I know the club have complained about it particularly after the display of the referee in both the 16 and 18s games at Everton a few weeks back.

I can assure you that we have had less than the rub of the green particularly on Merseyside this season when it comes down to the officials.

The referee yesterday was becoming visibly frustrated at Liverpools inability to take advantage of the numeric superioirity he had provided them with.

The under 16s also drew 2..2 and apparently were well worth a win. Liverpool have failed to beat any of our Academy sides from 15s upwards at Knowsley in the last couple of weeks.

[knowingeye]

In light of the vastly differing budgets afforded to both the clubs, the undoubted and historical bias from match officials in Mersey-side, this stands as a huge success for Stoke Academy.