Special Report from the Academy by Dave Usher

For the second week in succession Liverpool u16's threw away a two goal lead at home, as Blackburn came from behind to claim a draw at the Academy.

First half goals from Lee Woodward and Jonathon Pringle had put the reds in control at the break, but just as they did last week, Dave Shannon's lads took their foot off the gas and allowed their opponents to comeback.

Shannon was without influential midfielder Charlie Barnett who was ruled out with a thigh strain, but left winger Michael Burns returned to the side and Ryan Wignall was back after an injury lay off.

Full backs Behan and Darby were switched around from last week, with Behan on the right and Darby on the left.

The reds got off to a good start, and Pringle dragged a shot just wide after being played in by strike partner Lindfield on 12 minutes.

Less than 60 seconds later they went in front, when Burns whipped in a brilliant cross which was headed in at the back post by Woodward.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled, when Pringle did well to dispossess a defender and then showed excellent footwork to create space and find the bottom corner with a powerful shot.

Pringle almost produced a carbon copy ten minutes later when he muscled a defender off the ball and drilled another venomous low shot towards the botom corner, but this time it thudded against the foot of the post.

Rovers went up the other end immediately and it needed a fantastic piece of defending by skipper Jay Spearing to preserve the two goal lead.

Spearing got his body in front of the attacker just as he was preparing to shoot, and even managed to win the goal kick. He isn't the biggest, but he reads the game very well and is a great competitor.

Rovers had been completely outplayed for the opening half hour, but as half time approached they were beginning to get some joy.

The referee gifted them an opportunity to get back into the game when Threlfall was harshly adjudged to have conceded a penalty. It was a baffling decision, as Threlfall only made contact with the striker after he'd got his shot away (which went wide).

The reds player's challenge did not influence the direction of the shot, and the award of a penalty was ridiculous. Thankfully justice was done when keeper Dave roberts dived to his left and made a comfortable stop.

The visitors sensed that the tide was turning though, and they came out for the second half and really had a go.

A minute after the break Darby needed to make a wonderful block to keep out a goalbound shot, but two minutes later Rovers' big centre forward made amends for his spot kick miss with a neat finish wich gave Roberts no chance.

The goal served as a wake up call to the young reds, and ten minutes later Lindfield played in Wignall, and his well hit shot was brilliantly kept out by the Rovers keeper.

The impressive Woodward then shot just over after exchanging passes with Lindfield, and a minute later Pringle completely missed his kick in front of goal after being set up once more by Lindfield.

The miss would prove crucial, as nine minutes later Rovers were level, but the goal should never have stood as the striker was at least three yards offside. The linesman on that side struggled all game, and it wasn't a surprise that he failed to raise his flag.

The reds rallied, but couldn't find the winning goal. Ryan twice shot over the bar from the edge of the area, Burns sliced a shot wide and Pringle missed the best chance of all when he volleyed wide from Roberts' long clearance.

It was a game the lads should have won, but they paid the price for easing off when they went into a two goal lead.

Spearing was excellent in the centre of the defence, Darby made some crucial interventions from left back, and Wignall and Ryan were neat and tidy in midfield.

Lindfield was involved in almost every attack and laid on several chances for team-mates with his clever passing, but I'm going for right winger Woodward as the star man. He scored a good goal, could have had another and supplied several quality crosses.

On the other pitch, there was more disappointment for John Owens' u18 side, as they went down 1-0. Substitute James Frayne was sent off late on after reacting to comments made to him by a Rovers defender.

For photo's from this game click here

Team: Dave Roberts; Steven Behan, Jay Spearing, Robbie Threlfall, Steven Darby; Lee Woodward, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Wignall, Michael Burns; Craig Lindfield, Jonathon Pringle:

 

Email me at dave@liverpoolway.co.uk

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