Saturday, August 03, 2013

Dominant Reds Lift Milk Cup Globe

Liverpool U17s won the premier Milk Cup Globe on Friday afternoon after Ryan Kent's double helped them to a 2-0 win over Newcastle at the Showgrounds in Coleraine.

The Reds controlled the final from start to finish - and they made their constant pressure count early on when Kent sprung clear of the Magpies' defence in the 10th minute to curl home the opener.

Mike Garrity made wholesale changes to the side that beat Corinthians on penalties in the semi-final on Thursday. Out went Harry Wilson and Sergi Canos, and in came Will Marsh and Louis Robles.

Corey Whelan and Daniel Cleary were the centre-back pairing and the duo were nothing short of superb throughout. Whelan, in particular, stroked the ball about brilliantly.

He unlocked the Newcastle back-line five times in the first half by floating a precise pass over the top for the powerful Dharius Waldron to chase. Their combination handed Alex O'Hanlon a fine chance shortly after Kent's opener, but he fired over the bar.

Before the interval, diligent work from the effervescent Kent opened up a golden opportunity for Robles, but the Scouser was caught unawares as he attempted to dig the ball out from under his feet, and he scooped his shot over the bar.

Garrity's side completely controlled the game - of that there could be no doubt. Newcastle registered few chances and they were forced to chase the ball throughout.

The Reds flew out of the blocks in the second half - Dave Roberts charged from the halfway line to the edge of the box and curled a shot at goal, which the 'keeper got a hand to and Robles was unlucky not to net on the rebound.

Newcastle were gifted one fine chance to equalize late on, when a lapse in concentration allowed the Toon to work the ball out to Dan Barlaser, who was presented with an open goal, yet skied his effort over the bar.

Then, in stoppage time, the Reds put the game to bed and grabbed the second goal their efforts had earned.

Substitute Canos broke down the field and waited while a swarm of red shirts caught him up. Composed, the talented Spaniard intentionally missed the first man, Adam Phillips, with his weighted cross, and the ball landed perfectly for Ryan Kent to tap home at the far post.

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Liverpool U15s as they finished fourth in the junior Milk Cup after losing out to Watford in the third-place play-off.

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