| Saturday 19
November 2005 11:00 FA Premier Academy Group A Under 18s League |
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| "Liverpool" |
0 - 1 |
"Manchester
City" |
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(0-1) |
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| GOAL |
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Team: David Roberts, Jordan Holmes,
Stephen Behan, Jack Hobbs, Stephen Darby, Paul Barratt, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig
Lindfield, Conal Platt, Adam Hammill.
Subs: Charlie
Barnett, Michael Nardiello, Michael Burns |
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Team: Kasper Schmeichel (gk)
Subs: |
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| SUBSTITUTIONS |
| Barratt (Barnett ), Lindfield (Nardiello ),
Platt (Burns) |
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| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
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| VENUE |
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RESERVES
COACH |
(capacity )
Attendance: |
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John Owens (Liverpool)
(Manchester City) |
 HOBBS MAKES 18S DEBUT BUT REDS LOSE
Jack Hobbs made his first appearance for Liverpool as a centre half for the
Under-18s at the weekend but it wasn't a happy day for the Reds Academy side as they lost
1-0 at home to Manchester City.
It's now a case of three straight defeats for John Owens team as a first half goal
was enough to give City the win.
 Adam Hammill: Taking on the two players
Jack Hobbs has been playing regular football in a midfield holding role for the
reserves but the 17-year-old got to play his first match at centre half for the Under-18s.
City fielded Kasper Schmeichel, son of Peter, in goal but unfortunately he was
rarely troubled on the day as the Reds struggled to create clear cut chances.
Liverpool Under-18s: David Roberts, Jordan Holmes, Stephen Behan, Jack Hobbs,
Stephen Darby, Paul Barratt (Charlie Barnett), Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield
(Michael Nardiello), Conal Platt (Michael Burns), Adam Hammill.
Stephen Behan jumps for the ball
Star Man Jimmy Ryan
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 LIVERPOOL RES 0 Manchester City Res 1
 Report by Dave Usher at the Racecourse Ground
Scorer(s) -
Half Time - 0-1
Venue - The Academy
Date - Sat 19 Nov 2005
Star Man - Jimmy Ryan
 Jacks Hobbs made his first appearance for the under 18s, but
couldnt prevent them suffering their third defeat in a row. A solitary first half goal
was enough to give Manchester City maximum points from a closely contested game at the
reds Academy, a result which saw them leapfrog John Owens side in the table.
17 year old Hobbs has been a regular for the reserve side since arriving from
Lincoln in the summer, and he trains at Melwood under Paco Herrera and Hughie McAuley.
Hes not been involved with the Academy set up prior to this game, but is set to be a
part of the squad for the forthcoming FA Youth Cup campaign and this game was an
opportunity for him to get to know the rest of the side.
It was also the first time this season hes played in his natural position of
centre half, and at times it showed. Defensively he did ok, but his distribution let him
down on occasion and he didnt always look entirely comfortable. Understandable I
suppose given that hes played in midfield all season, and was in unfamiliar
surroundings with players he hasnt played with before
It was a game of few chances, and Citys winning goal came from the best bit of
play of the entire game. Whether they deserved to win is debatable, personally I didnt
think either side did enough and a goalless draw would have been fair. But goals win games
and Liverpool just didnt do enough in the final third.
Owens selected a strong side, and it probably wont be far off the side which
will play in the youth cup. Conal Platt was the only overage player involved, and
presumably Michael Nardiello will replace him for the youth cup campaign.
Dave Roberts was in goal, with Jordan Holmes and Stephen Behan the full backs.
Hobbs was partnered in the middle of defence by skipper for the day Stephen Darby, whilst
the midfield four was Paul Barratt, Ryan Flynn, Jimmy Ryan and Adam Hammill. Platt was
partnered up front by top scorer, Craig Lindfield.
Both Platt and Lindfield had chances to score in the opening five minutes. First
Platt saw his low shot turned behind for a corner by City keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and
from the resulting corner Lindfield headed wide from inside the six yard box. It was a
great chance and he should have buried it.
Liverpool had started well, and it was a good flowing match in the early stages.
Lindfield had another opportunity shortly afterwards when Barratts cross found him in
the area, but his shot was deflected wide by a defender.
City then wasted a great chance when Grimes made a run in behind Behan and was well
found, but he shot wide from a good position.
On the half hour mark the young reds put together a fine move which would have been
a fantastic goal. Ryans sweeping crossfield pass was well cushioned into the path of
Hammill by Holmes, and Platt was inches away from connecting with his teasing cross.
City wasted another great chance when Vidal blasted over the bar after a right wing
centre had found him unmarked in the Liverpool box, but the visitors went in front five
minutes later with a well crafted goal.
Left back Williamson did well to break up a Liverpool attack, and sidestep two
challenges before producing a wonderful ball inside Holmes which sent Moore through on
goal. Hobbs couldnt get across in time and the winger beat Roberts with an excellent
finish.
Craig
Lindfield sets off on a run
Up until then, Liverpool had been playing pretty well. They didnt deserve to be
behind, but once City got their noses in front they never looked like losing the lead. The
reds huffed and puffed in the second half, but aside from a Lindfield shot which produced
a very good save from Schmeichel they rarely threatened Rudolph junior, which was
disappointing.
City could have doubled their lead six minutes into the 2nd half but Vidal was
denied by a fine stop by Roberts.
With 15 minutes to go Owens brought on Charlie Barnett and Michael Nardiello for
Barratt and Lindfield, and ten minutes later Michael Burns replaced Platt.
Defeat was harsh, but the bottom line is not enough chances were created. There
were some decent performances, most notably in midfield where Jimmy Ryan did his best to
keep the side moving forward, and Flynn was neat and tidy.
For the most part, the defence were fairly comfortable, with Darby being the pick
of the back four.
Team: Roberts; Holmes, Hobbs, Darby, Behan; Barratt (Barnett), Ryan, Flynn,
Hammill; Platt (Burns), Lindfield (Nardiello):
For exclusive photos from this game, click here here
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