AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool produce comeback in 3-3 draw with Wolves

The Reds trailed by three goals at one stage of the U18 Premier League North contest but Simon Wiles' outfit composed themselves to earn a hard-fought point at the Kirkby Academy.

Wolves raced in front and earned a three-goal advantage by the 25-minute mark, first scoring through an Alfie White header from a corner.

The visitors doubled their lead via David Osifo as he supplied an angled finish into the bottom corner from more than 20 yards out.

Wanderers then made it three, Jerome Abbey turning cleverly on the edge of the box before finding the net.

However, Liverpool fought back ahead of the break to reduce the deficit to just one.

La'more Lee Forrester intercepted a loose pass in the Wolves back line and made the most of the play to finish well with the Reds' first attempt on goal.

Josh Sonni-Lambie then struck his 10th effort of the season as the home team completed a slick move down the left, allowing the striker to touch and convert in quick fashion inside the area.

He failed to capitalise on a good chance to equalise late in the opening period, shooting wide from close range, while Sebastian Lochhead planted a free header over the bar for the away side.

After the break, the game continued in a similar vein, remaining open with both teams enjoying chances.

Liverpool, though, got their levelling goal just before the hour mark through Oliver O'Connor to complete an excellent comeback. The midfielder drove into the box and produced a composed finish at the near post.

Lee Forrester had earlier curled an effort inches past the post, and after parity was restored, Lochhead again went close, this time forcing goalkeeper Bailey Hall into a fine save at full stretch from another corner.

In the closing stages, Wolves stopper Xander Grieves produced two important saves of his own for his side.

First, AJ Yeguo cut in from the left and sent a curler towards goal, only to be denied by a push over the bar from Grieves.

Substitute Finn Inglethorpe then swung a delivery into the box, allowing Lucas Clarke to head down to the near post, though he was also denied by a brilliant save.

Wolves enjoyed two opportunities of their own, Kaream Thomas firing a low drive wide of the mark, ahead of White slipping at the crucial moment as he attempted to finish off a flick-on from a set-piece.

Team

Liverpool U18s: Hall, Conde, Cisse, Clarke, Powney Wain, Murray-Holme (Farkas, 73), O'Connor, Abe (Ayman, 46), Yeguo, Lee Forrester (Hickman, 73), Sonni-Lambie (Inglethorpe, 46).

Unused sub: Bernard.

Next up

The U18s will return to league action in a mini-derby against Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday (October 29).

The Reds host the Blues at the Kirkby Academy in a 6.30pm GMT kick-off.