AcademyU18s match report: Bradshaw strikes as Liverpool draw at Blackburn
The Reds fell behind early in the U18 Premier League North fixture but equalised through Joe Bradshaw at the start of the second half and will be a little frustrated not to have gone on to grab all three points.
Simon Wiles’ side had a couple of strong chances to secure the win, although the home team possessed a strong set-piece threat until the end of the 90 minutes.
It was the visitors who created the first chance, La’more Lee Forrester – playing as a No.9 – picking up a loose ball and firing in a strong shot from an angle that stung the hands of goalkeeper Luke Thompson.
The response was immediate, however, and Blackburn were ahead on seven minutes.
Striker Tom Cryer flicked a ball over a defender and volleyed it home from the edge of the box after just one bounce, giving Kornel Misciur no chance in the Reds’ goal.
The opener spread confidence around the hosts and they looked the more likely to add to their total, Misciur saving well from Lewis Buamah after Liverpool gave the ball away playing out from the back.
The Reds steadied and Bradshaw fired a dangerous ball across goal but Josh Sonni-Lambie just couldn't reach it at the back post.
Rovers looked set to extend their lead on 24 minutes when Cryer reached a ball ahead of Misciur and rounded the goalkeeper, only for his goalbound effort to be cleared away by the well-positioned Lucas Clarke.
Sonni-Lambie was denied his 21st goal of the season by a vital defensive block after great work from Lee Forrester when Blackburn failed to clear a free-kick.
It was another set-piece that provided Liverpool with their best chance of the half in the final 10 minutes, Joe Upton’s corner met by an unmarked Clarke. His header was too high to add to his goal against Leeds United last week, though.
Wiles made two half-time changes – AJ Yeguo and Luca Eden introduced from the bench – and the Reds looked to wipe out their deficit straight away.
Within three minutes of the restart, Forrester picked up a loose ball from a free-kick and crossed for Bradshaw to collect at the back post. But the winger curled his effort just above the crossbar, perhaps with the aid of an undetected deflection.
Yeguo headed a fine cross from Erik Farkas just over, though it wasn’t long until the young Hungarian played a key role in the equaliser.
Farkas produced a wonderful shot to rattle the Rovers crossbar and Bradshaw did well to control the rebound and force home the leveller.
Eden shot too close to the ’keeper as Liverpool maintained the pressure – and they almost crafted a winner with 20 minutes left.
Farkas led a break with a lovely pass to Bradshaw, who teed up Forrester in the middle with a perfect lay-off. However, Thompson denied a picture-book goal with an outstretched leg.
There was a superb block from Upton as Blackburn threatened from several corners and free-kicks – with Prince Cisse also outstanding defensively in the second half – but it was at the other end where he almost made the most telling contribution.
Five minutes from full-time, he stopped Blackburn playing out from the back and fed Farkas, whose shot went just the wrong side of the post.
Eden went down in the box late on but strong shouts for a penalty were waved away by the referee as both sides had to settle for a well-earned point.
Team
Liverpool: Misciur, O’Connor, Powney Wain, Cisse, Clarke, Murray-Holme (Eden, 46), Bradshaw, Upton, Lee Forrester, Farkas, Sonni-Lambie (Yeguo, 46).
Unused subs: Ayman, Hilditch, Hickman.
Next up
The U18s are on the road again next weekend, visiting Middlesbrough in the league.
Kick-off on Saturday February 28 is 12.30pm GMT.