Liverpool U18s exit FA Youth Cup after defeat at Ipswich

Match reportLiverpool U18s exit FA Youth Cup after defeat at Ipswich

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Liverpool U18s' journey in the FA Youth Cup ended on Friday night when they were beaten 2-0 away at Ipswich Town.

The Reds exit the prestigious competition at the fifth-round stage after a pair of first-half goals from Rio Morgan at Portman Road.

Terence Miles had the chance to reduce the deficit and give the visitors hope but saw his penalty saved by Woody Williamson in minute 74.

Ipswich flew out of the blocks and forced goalkeeper Luke Hewitson into two fine saves early on – the first of which came 18 seconds after kick-off.

But shortly after Calum Scanlon had Liverpool's first opportunity, the hosts went up the other end and did manage to beat Hewitson with eight minutes on the clock.

The Reds stopper initially saved well from an Osman Foyo shot, though Morgan picked up the rebound inside the box to convert and put his team ahead.

Scanlon and Bobby Clark went close again for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side, who then survived a let-off when Gerard Buabo's strike hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear.

The tie settled down somewhat after a breathless opening quarter of an hour.

Trent Kone-Doherty's header from around 20 yards out nearly looped over the onrushing Williamson, before the Ipswich 'keeper recovered to claim the ball before it went over the goal-line.

However, Ipswich doubled their lead just before the break. Morgan skipped past the challenge Francis Gyimah, drove into the penalty area and then fired low past Hewitson for 2-0.

It was better from Liverpool following the break as they immediately launched an attack that resulted in Williamson saving from Kone-Doherty.

Morgan, meanwhile, was denied his hat-trick when his volley from a cleared corner struck the bar and went over.

Substitute Elijah Gift looked bright from the get-go after being introduced by the Reds, going extremely close to drawing a goal back on two separate occasions.

Another opportunity for a route back into the contest came via the penalty spot when Tommy Pilling was upended inside the area. Miles, captain for the night, stepped up to take responsibility but watched his effort be palmed away by Williamson.

Frustration levels then grew even more when Kone-Doherty had a goal chalked off for offside in the 80th minute to cap a disappointing night for Liverpool.

Liverpool U18s: Hewitson, Davidson, Hayes-Green, Miles, Gyimah (Danns, 46), Laffey, Pilling, Scanlon, Onanuga (Gift, 57), Kone-Doherty, Clark.

Unused substitutes: Trueman, Pennington, Pinnington, Morrison, Pitt.

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