Friday, April 30, 2010

Ngoo And Ince Strike In Under-18s Triumph


Liverpool Under-18s stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches with a superb 4-0 victory over Leeds United at the Academy on Thursday afternoon.

The Reds dominated for long spells against the Yorkshire outfit and deservedly earned the three points thanks to goals from Michael Ngoo, Tom Ince (2) and Conor Coady (pen).

It means Rodolfo Borrell's men have not lost a match since their FA Youth Cup defeat at home to Watford back in February and can complete an impressive finish to the season by avoiding defeat in their final game at Huddersfield on May 8.

Following a scrappy opening devoid of any real clear-cut chances, it was Liverpool who came closest when Toni Brito E Silva set up Ngoo on nine minutes.

The former Southend striker looked all set to fire in a shot at goal from just inside the penalty area but instead opted to turn back into trouble, allowing Leeds the chance to clear.

The opportunity merely served as a catalyst for Liverpool to step it up a gear, however, and on 18 minutes they grabbed the breakthrough courtesy of their in-form forward.

John Flanagan picked out Silva on the right side of midfield. The Portuguese winger cut inside his man and fired in a low shot that Ryan Jones could only parry into the path of Ngoo, who gleefully swept in the rebound.

Craig Roddan was then unlucky to see a long range drive flash just past the post shortly after as Liverpool began to get at the Leeds rearguard.

The Reds were well in control of the proceedings and it came as no surprise when they added a second, with Andre Wisdom setting up Ince to fire past Jones on the half hour mark.

The visitors had enjoyed very few forays forward and Adam Watson's speculative free-kick was the best they could muster in as one-sided a first 45 as you are likely to see.

Indeed, Leeds were lucky to go in just two goals behind at the break after Silva latched onto Ngoo's flick, rounded the 'keeper and fired in a shot that was hacked off the line.

The pattern continued after the interval and on 55 minutes the Reds ensured there would be no doubt over the result as Coady picked himself up to drill home the third from the spot after he was hauled down in the area.

As if the away side hadn't suffered enough, Borrell took this as the cue to unleash Raheem Sterling and the substitute almost added a stunning fourth when he skipped past two and arrowed a shot just beyond the far upright.

Liverpool pressed throughout the remainder of the encounter and after another substitute, Kristjan Gauti Emilsson twice went close, Ince wrapped up victory with a magnificent strike on 86 minutes.

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