AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool come back twice in mini-derby draw
Liverpool twice came from behind as they played out a 2-2 mini-derby draw away at Everton in U18 Premier League North on Saturday.
Towards the end of a first half that included multiple chances for the Reds, it was the hosts who got in front courtesy of Joel Catesby’s 40th-minute goal.
The visitors levelled through Kareem Ahmed with around a quarter of an hour to go, and had to equalise again – Ranel Young the scorer this time – after George Finney put the Blues back ahead.
Before kick-off at Finch Farm, a period of silence was observed ahead of Monday’s 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, and the players also wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
The early stages of the action saw Kyle Kelly guide a header wide from Trey Nyoni’s corner, while Everton counter-attacks led to chances for Catesby and then Jacob Beaumont-Clark.
But the Reds got on top as the half progressed, only to find home goalkeeper George Pickford in inspired and stubborn form.
Excellent approach work from Kieran Morrison down the left set up Joe Bradshaw free inside the Blues box and his effort was denied by Pickford.
He then twice kept out attempts from Michael Laffey, repelled a good chance for Morrison and thwarted Nyoni in a one-on-one after the Liverpool midfielder had intercepted a pass to go clean through.
Kornel Misciur had to match his opposite number’s exploits in the other net to prevent Callum Bates from scoring, before Pickford bettered his previous saves to stop Ahmed’s strike across goal after weaving past three defenders.
The visitors’ frustration was compounded when Everton broke the deadlock before the interval. Harry Evers’ unfortunate slip on the halfway line turned a counter-attack into a chance and Catesby tucked in a finish.
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And the Blues held that slender advantage until minute 74, when Morrison’s delivery to the back post was sent across goal by Evers for Ahmed to drill home a leveller.
The away team might have nosed in front soon after, Morrison beating his marker at the edge of the Everton area but seeing his effort go just wide.
And a minute later the Blues stung the Reds on the counter again. Catesby was the provider this time, finding Finney in the Liverpool box to convert.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side refused to relent, though, and soon grabbed another equaliser as substitute Young raced in behind and beat Pickford for 2-2.
They almost won it in added time, too, with Young’s excellent run into the area denied at the last, before Ahmed and Josh Sonni-Lambie shot off target.
TEAM
Liverpool U18s: Misciur, Esdaille, Evers, Pitt, Lucky, K. Kelly (Young, 60), Morrison, Laffey, Ahmed, Nyoni, Bradshaw (Sonni-Lambie, 73).
Unused subs: Morana, Furnell-Gill, Airoboma.
NEXT UP
Bridge-Wilkinson’s charges are back on the road on Tuesday evening as they face Newcastle United in U18 Premier League North.
The 7pm BST kick-off at Whitley Park is live on LFCTV GO.