AcademyBarry Lewtas on Lancashire FA Senior Cup exit: 'It was fine margins'
Barry Lewtas was left to reflect on the ‘fine margins’ that cost his Liverpool U21s side in their Lancashire FA Senior Cup defeat by Burnley on Tuesday night.
Despite a well-taken strike from Lewis Koumas in the first half, the young Reds eventually went down 3-1 after a tight contest at the County Ground in Leyland, exiting the competition at the first hurdle.
“I think apart from 10, 15 minutes in the second half, when we went a little bit long and maybe didn’t trust ourselves positionally, that was the only moment where we lost control of the game,” Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“I thought the game hinged on their No.6 [Han-Noah Massengo] scoring two cracking goals. We never really worked the ’keeper tonight, but we had chances to around the box, and then we conceded a goal which was a mistake, which was a shame.
“I think for where we are, it’s a real young group, so you are going to get that, but I don’t think I could have asked for any more from them tonight. I don’t think anyone did poorly, it was just a tight game of fine margins, and we were on the wrong end of it.”
For Koumas, there was a welcome return to scoring form, with the 18-year-old also denied a late second goal by an offside flag.
“He’s been playing up all season as an U18, and he’s been brilliant for us,” Lewtas said. “The second goal he scored, it looked onside, so he could have had two brilliant finishes on the night.
“But for him, he’s stepped up early and when you step up, the goals become harder to find. He knows that, but he’s done ever so well for us.”
Lewtas was also able to give a runout to another striker, Jayden Danns, who has been in prolific form this season for the U18s.
“Dannsy has been brilliant for the 18s,” said the head coach. “He’s scored goals, all different types of goals and he’s looked like a real No.9.
“Tonight we can give him an opportunity, so he knows they will come his way.”
On his side’s form in general, Lewtas added: “They’re playing really well and giving everything. We don’t want to be ‘good losers’ and lose games, but we understand where we are.
“I think if you look at the games, we are more than competitive and we have good control of games, we are creating chances. It’s just those fine margins. And in the long run, I think you can see that we’ve got a real good group of young players.”