This was originally supposed to be an under 17 play off fixture,
but as neither the reds or Sunderland had any chance of progressing
in the play offs, it was agreed that it would be an under 18 fixture
instead, thus giving the reds the opportunity to give most of
the youth cup team a run out ahead of their semi final second
leg match at Blackburn in a fortnight.
With John Welsh and Mark Peers on international duty in
the European under 16 championships, Leon Noel and Andy Nicholas
came into the side, whilst young defender Adam Flynn lined up
at right back ahead of regular choice Stephen Vaughan.
The reds started well, with Michael Foley in excellent form
in the middle of midfield.
Foley injured his knee earlier in the season in an under
19 match, and has missed all of the youth cup campaign as a
result. He would have been an importnat part of the side,
and the prospect of a midfield partnership of Foley and Welsh
is a mouth watering one. Hopefully Foley can help the
side overcome Blackburn and make the final. Foley is a
class act, he's always available to help a team-mate in possession,
and seems to spot a pass quicker than anyone else on the field.
He was outstanding today.
In the absence of Peers, Brian McIlroy switched to the right
wing, and the hard working Leon Noel came in to partner the
prolific Neil Mellor up front. Mellor came up with a couple
of typical poachers goals, and proved to be the difference between
the two sides. His first goal came when centre half McNulty
- who was again outstanding at the back - met Prince's corner
with a powerful header, which Mellor diverted past the keeper.
His second came when he chased Foley's incisive through ball
and forced the keeper into missing his kick, and the big striker
was left with the simple task of tapping into the empty net.
Sunderland offered virtually no attacking threat, and only
threatened on one occasion when there was an almighty scramble
in the Liverpool area following a corner. Other than that,
the reds defence were comfortable. Otsemobor and McNulty
are an excellent partnership, and Alan Coupe has played well
on every occasion I've seen him. He was excellent again
today, and young Adam Flynn was impressive at right back, particularly
in the second half when he got forward several times to good
effect.
Chances were few and far between, although the reds were
the better side throughout. Noel rose well to plant a
header just past the far post from an excellent cross from Flynn,
and Mellor almost found a way through on a couple of occasions
only to see last ditch blocks deny him a hat-trick. Neil
Prince hit the bar with a wickedly inswinging corner, and the
keeper pulled off an excellent stop to deny Mellor who had again
been released by the impressive Foley.
Overall the reds were well worth the win, and it was a good
way of preparing for the youth cup semi on May 9th. With
Welsh and Peers to come back into the side, the reds will fancy
their chances.
TEAM: Matty Parry, Adam Flynn, Steven McNulty, Jon
Otsemobor, Alan Coupe; Brian McIlroy, Michael Foley, Neil Prince,
Andy Nicholas; Neil Mellor, Leon Noel:
