Sunday, January 24, 2010

Young Reds Lose To Wolves

A goal eight minutes from time saw Wolves gain revenge for their FA Youth Cup defeat as they beat Liverpool Under-18s 2-1 at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday morning.

Lauri Dalla Valle thought he had earned Rodolfo Borrell's side a share of the spoils with a first half equaliser, but Andre Landall's finish from a right-wing cross saw the side from the Black Country take the three points.

Liverpool's Academy side had already beaten Wolves at Anfield 2-0 in the FA Youth Cup 3rd round which was sweet revenge for losing 2-1 in the Academy league a couple of week's earlier.

Boosted by the inclusion of Melwood based duo Christopher Buchtmann and Dalla Valle the Reds kicked-off with an intent to attack Wolves right from the start.

However, the away side had the first chance of the game on five minutes when James Spray shot wide after good work from Kyle Bennett down the left flank gave the Wolves No.9 an opening.

The boys from the Black Country had started well and Landall went close five minutes later when he fired a first time shot wide after a good break down the right from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

The breakthrough arrived after 14 minutes when Wolves scored from a set piece. Bennett's left wing corner found the head of Landell who found the net from a tight angle with a looping header beyond the reach of Deale Chamberlain.

Despite the frustration at going a goal down the young Reds showed great character and were level after 22 minutes with goal machine Dalla Valle on target.

German starlet Christopher Buchtmann provided the assist with a precise through ball and the Finn did the rest. When he gets one on one with the goalkeeper there is usually no doubt about the outcome and he finished nicely.

Reserve team boss John McMahon was amongst the spectators and he would have been impressed by Buchtmann's eye for a pass and Dalla Valle's finishing qualities.

The No.9 had another chance on 26 minutes when Tom Ince's left wing corner picked him out but he misdirected his header wide of the target.

Michael Ngoo then almost created an opening for himself but was denied by some brave goalkeeping from Aaron McCarey who dived at his feet to smother the ball.

Wolves had a great chance five minutes before the break when Mendez-Laing had a clear opening from the edge of the box but fortunately for Liverpool he dragged his shot wide.

They went even closer from a free-kick two minutes before the break. Craig Roddan tripped Landell on the edge of the penalty area and skipper Nathan Rooney curled an effort just wide.

The highlight of the first half was a wonderful run down the right wing from centre half Andre Wisdom on the stroke of half-time. The England youth international beat three defenfers before curling an effort just wide of McCarey's far post. It would have been some goal had it gone in.

The second half started at a ferocious pace. McCarey in the Wolves goal showed good handling when he did well to meet a Roddan right wing free-kick after being put under pressure from Ngoo and Stephen Sama.

Then at the other end Ince tracked back to make a superb interception as Landell eyed a sight of goal.

On the hour mark Ngoo's header gave Dalla Valle a golden chance but from a tight angle he couldn't get enough power behind his effort which was saved by McCarey.

Tackles were now beginning to fly in as both side tried to get control of the game. Jack Robinson and Spray were both booked after an altercation and Roddan quickly followed into the notebook after a late challenge.

Rooney then went close to restoring the lead for the away side when his rasping drive was cleared behind for a corner.

Buchtmann nearly won it for the home side 15 minutes from time when he shot just wide after cutting in from the right.

Then with 10 minutes remaining the away side got the winner when Landell found the net from close range.

Dalla Valle almost stole a point three minutes later but his header landed just wide, and in stoppage time McCarey dropped a cross from a corner under pressure from Robinson, but Wolves managed too frantically clear the danger.

Liverpool had four corners in stoppage time but try as they might they couldn't force an equaliser their efforts deserved.

Liverpool team: Deale Chamberlain, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Andre Wisdom, Stephen Sama, Craig Roddan, Christopher Buchtmann, Conor Coady, Lauri Dalla Valle, Tom Ince, Michael Ngoo (Krisztian Adorjan 85). Subs not used: Michael Ihiekwe, Chris Oldfield, Alex Cooper, Kristjan Emilsson.

Wolves Under-18s: Aaron McCarey, Jack Metcalf, Jamie Reckord, Nathan Rooney, John Dunleavy, James Parsonage (Paul McCone 68), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, David Davis, James Spray, Andre Landall, Kyle Bennett.

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