Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Ince And Dalla Valle Put Liverpool Through

His dad may be looking to put a dent in Liverpool’s title charge this weekend, but Tom Ince helped the Anfield’s club youth side through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup last night.

The 16-year-old forward, son of former Liverpool captain and Blackburn manager Paul, struck a spectacular opener, with Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle also on target in a 2-1 third-round win over Leeds United at Elland Road last night.

Victory means Hugh McAuley’s side now go into their final two matches in the Premier Academy League before the Christmas break safe in the knowledge they will have a fourth round tie to look forward to in January.

Liverpool, back-to-back winners of the prestigious youth tournament in 2006 and 2007, started brightly and dominated for much of the match.

Despite creating numerous openings they were level midway through the second half, before eventually winning through.

They could easily have been ahead in the opening minutes. Ince, who has been in fine form down the left wing in the league this season but was partnering Dalla Valle up front, just failed to connect with David Amoo’s flick.

From then on it was all Liverpool but Leeds defended well.

Dalla Valle fired wide when through on goal, and Ince was denied by home keeper Ryan Jones with a low 25-yard drive.

Ince, though, did break the deadlock after 14 minutes when he superbly curled home a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Leeds keeper Jones also denied both German full-back Christopher Buchtmann and right-winger Amoo as Liverpool continued to dominate.

But Leeds drew level midway through the first-half with virtually their first attack when Michael Whitwell headed home at the far post from a left-wing corner.

Dalla Valle almost restored the lead 10 minutes later, but after a one-two with Ince the Finnish striker was off target with his shot after going around the keeper.

In the second half Liverpool were in the ascendancy again and Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala could only head straight at keeper Jones from a header, while Dalla Valle also saw another header from Buchtmann’s cross well held.

Dalla Valle was not to be denied and finally found the net on the hour mark as the 17-year-old added the finishing touches to Adam Pepper’s corner for what turned out to be the winner.

Swedish midfielder Alex Kacaniklic miss-hit a shot after being teed up by Ince as McAuley’s side looked to make the game safe.

Late on Sam Jerome went close to an equaliser, but the Liverpool defence held firm to book their place in the fourth round.

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