Match reportLFC Women U21s crowned champions after win over Sheffield United
Liverpool FC Women U21s were crowned PGA Division 2 champions this week as they completed their league campaign with a superb 4-1 victory against Sheffield United at the Kirkby Academy.
Sophia McBeth's first-half opener was followed up by second-half efforts from Libby Bermingham and a Neve McDonald double in a dominant display that could have yielded even more goals.
It brought their ninth successive win in the division and led to joyous scenes at full-time as players, coaches and families celebrated the league title.
The Reds were almost ahead on five minutes as Bermingham found space in the box and rifled in a shot that the visiting goalkeeper saved well, with the follow-up effort blocked.
Shortly afterwards, the crossbar saved United when McDonald's superb effort rattled back from the underside of the woodwork.
United were struggling to break out of Liverpool's press and it was no surprise when the hosts took the lead with 18 minutes gone.
The impressive Maddie Robinson swung in a corner from the right and McBeth swivelled and shot in one motion to find the corner.
Robinson almost doubled the advantage 10 minutes before the break, her fine press catching out the goalkeeper but she couldn't quite find a teammate with the goal gaping.
The Reds then missed a gilt-edged opportunity when McBeth sent Sophie Andrews in on goal but the 'keeper was out well to deny her.
Sheffield United had shown little but Eva Spencer needed to make a solid save before the break to keep the 1-0 advantage intact.
LFC Women PGA head coach Simon O'Neill brought on Maddy Duffy in midfield and Izzy O'Connor wide on the right for the second half, and both repaid his faith with eye-catching displays.
The two combined four minutes after the break for the latter's cross to be controlled and finished by Bermingham in the middle for a two-goal lead.
A third followed on 56 minutes with Duffy again involved. Her pass put McDonald in on goal and she got there just before the advancing 'keeper to score off the post, having switched from left wing-back to striker at the break.
It was generally one-way traffic but United kept working and reduced the deficit halfway through the second period, bundling in a header from a left-sided corner to offer them some hope of an unlikely comeback.
Duffy remained influential, however, and she was denied by a good save as the Reds looked to restore their three-goal cushion.
McDonald showed tons of pace to outstrip the defence but she couldn't find an unmarked teammate for a tap-in in the middle.
The Reds were determined to have the final say and McDonald delivered it inside the final five minutes, controlling an excellent cross from the industrious Olivia Maddocks to complete the scoring.
Reflecting on the season, O'Neill told Liverpoolfc.com: "Our season started slowly with some of the transitioning U16s taking time to get used to the physicality of the U21s, which is understandable.
"But certainly since Christmas it's been really good – they've won 13 in a row and nine in a row in the league.
"They deserve to win this title. Lots to work on and get better at, especially out of possession. But in possession we're a really good team who control the ball well and make some good decisions."
The hope of providing a pathway to the senior team is the ultimate prize of the Academy and O'Neill has had success there this year, too.
"We've had three debuts this year in Eva Spencer, Maddy Duffy and Neve McDonald, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come with more for next season," O'Neill continued.
"Neve and Sophia, who also scored today, can both play as forwards or at wing-back. It's something we encourage them to do as we play a couple of different systems, so they have to be adaptable.
"Both Neve's goals were really good, the first touch for one and the toe poke after she held her run well on the other.
"With Maddy, we were protecting her a little in not starting as she's played a lot of football. But she's a very, very clever player, how she beats people, she can see a pass and she's a finisher as well. She's well into double figures for goals this season."
The U21s will complete their season in the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup final against Liverpool Feds on Thursday May 1 at Walton Hall Park.
Liverpool: Spencer, Tickle, Price, McHugh, McDonald, Wilby, Robinson (O'Connor, 46), Maddocks, Andrews (Duffy, 46), Bermingham (Leary, 72), McBeth (Newall, 63).
Sub not used: Doran.