Match reportLFC Women U21s lose out in County FA Senior Cup final
Liverpool FC Women’s U21s fell to a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool Feds in the County FA Senior Cup final on Thursday night.
The young Reds were seeking a third successive victory in the tournament but it was the National League North club who ran out deserved winners, gaining revenge for their loss in the decider a year ago.
An early goal from Neve McDonald gave Liverpool the advantage, only for a late first-half equaliser and two strikes after the break to claim the trophy for the senior side.
The Reds started well at Walton Hall Park and took the lead on four minutes.
Winger McDonald – who has been involved with the first team several times – cut inside from the left and hammered a low shot that careered into the net off a touch from goalkeeper Evie Spencer.
Feds responded quickly and it took a good block to deny Chloe Fisher a swift leveller, while Katie Anderson’s low shot was just wide of the post.
Maizie Trueman, who became LFC Women’s youngest ever player as a 16-year-old earlier this season, began to get on the ball in midfield, linking well with Olivia Maddocks on the right wing on several occasions to create danger in the Feds’ box.
It was the Liverpool ’keeper, however, who needed to make the next big save of the game, Carmen Stephens getting down well to deny Chantelle Thompson after a smart exchange with Fisher.
Faye Coulthard landed a corner on top of the crossbar for Feds and they kept up the pressure just before the break, Fisher heading against the post from a fine cross by Emily Cole.
An equaliser seemed likely and finally arrived in first-half injury time. A long free-kick fell at the feet of an unmarked Anderson, who made it 1-1 at the break.
The second half started as the first had, with Liverpool playing some good football but without creating much, McDonald just overrunning a nice through ball from Trueman.
On the hour mark, Feds took the lead with virtually their first attack of the half. The dangerous Fisher was left completely free through the middle and finished calmly past Stephens.
Set-pieces were a real threat for the third-tier outfit and Stephens had to make a stunning reaction save to stop the lead being extended after another deep free-kick into the box was fired goalwards.
The Reds brought Izzie Breen and Scarlett Leary from the bench, the latter looking an instant threat on the right wing, but the opposition made the game safe in the last few minutes of normal time.
Another through ball was collected by Cole ahead of Stephens and she found the net from an angle despite being forced wide.
Liverpool: Stephens, McHugh, Salihi, Smith, Trueman (Leary, 57), Newall, Cartmell (Breen, 72), Andrews (Morgan, 88), McDonald, Duffy, Maddocks.
Unused subs: Salihi, Pilgrim, Darlington, Bullock, Unwin.