AcademyU18s round off 2021 with 5-0 win at Burnley

The young Reds led through a fine Isaac Mabaya drive five minutes before the break, before Bobby Clark’s second 20 minutes into the second half eased any nerves and gave them the cushion their play deserved.

Melkamu Frauendorf was a threat all game and produced a double in the last 10 minutes, with Oakley Cannonier rounding off proceedings in injury time by finishing off a superb team move with his 15th league goal of the season.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s team started strongly with Mabaya and Frauendorf a regular thorn in the side for Burnley down the right.

Mabaya beat his full-back and crossed well into the danger area but no-one made the run to meet it, before Frauendorf found Cannonier in the box with a good cross but the striker’s effort was too close to Charlie Casper in the Burnley goal.

Halfway through the period and Frauendorf almost started and finished the same move. He fed a good ball out to full-back Callum Scanlon on the left and made his way into the box to meet the cross but his effort was wide.

Stefan Bajcetic was dictating play from holding midfield and produced a fine ball out to Mabaya on the right wing. The cross was perfect for Cannonier but he was denied once again by Casper.

Scanlon dropped another cross on to the bar before the visitors finally broke the deadlock.

A great tackle in midfield sent the ball on to Frauendorf who turned and played in Mabaya, his powerful drive giving Casper no chance.

Liverpool continued their dominance in the second half and an early goalmouth scramble ended with Frauendorf’s shot being blocked near the line.

James McConnell and Clark both turned Frauendorf crosses past the post before the crucial second arrived on 66 minutes.

The impressive Bajcetic won a big tackle in midfield and played in Clark, who produced a superb finish into the corner.

It was one-way traffic and a question of how many goals for the visitors as they pressed forward for more.

Cannonier’s fine volley was saved by Casper before the ‘keeper almost presented the striker with a gift a few minutes later, rolling the ball straight to him before recovering to smother at his feet.

With 10 minutes left it was 3-0 after another almighty scramble near the Burnley goal. 

Several efforts were blocked and Tommy Pilling hit the post before Frauendorf turned it home for a goal his display more than deserved.

Barely a minute later he had his second. Cannonier produced a fine assist, turning the ball back into the danger area for the Germany youth international to finish at the second attempt.

It somehow looked like Cannonier would be denied a goal but three minutes into stoppage time he arguably delivered the moment of the match.

A stunning team move saw a Frauendorf flick release Mabaya down the right and he centred for the prolific 17-year-old to score again.

Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Mabaya, Miles, Chambers, Scanlon, Bajcetic (Laffey, 85), McConnell, Pilling, Frauendorf, Clark, Cannonier.

Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Davidson, Omoruyi.