A goal a piece for strike pair Jason Massie and Steven Gillespie
gave the unbeaten U17's their first win in the vital end of season
play offs following last weeks disappointing goalless encounter
win Reading.
It could have been so many more for Dave Shannon's side
as they squandered endless chances against a clueless United
outfit, but make no mistake the win was what the doctor ordered,
and the ultra-confident Reds duly delivered.
We arrived at the academy to the unpleasant surprise that
the U19's had a free week, after the ECHO had told us otherwise
(not for the first time this season). Not to worry, apart
from missing out on the goalscoring exploits of Neil 'The Boy'
Mellor, I wasn't too bothered as this would be my first opportunity
to cast an eye over the cream of the classy U-17 squad.
The Reds made a great start to the game and after 6 minutes
their fine movement and pacy interplay was rewarded with a penalty
kick as Scottish winger Robbie Foy was clumsily clattered to
the ground after a fine one-two with left back Chris Butler.
However Steven Gillespie's weak penalty was easily saved by
Blades' keeper Tom Lindley.
This would prove to be just a minor setback for the Reds
who were totally dominating the game creating chance after chance.
Immediately after his penalty miss, Gillespie nearly made amends
but his 20 yard curler drifted just over. The gangly number
9 missed another great chance before star central midfielder
Darren Potter blazed over from 12 yards following another neat
one-two with Mark Smyth. Should have done much better.
However Potter didn't have too long to contemplate his miss
as he played yet another one-two (the U17's look really proficient
in that department) this time with the superb Butler, and pulled
it back to Jason Massie who slotted the ball into an empty net.
A thoroughly deserved opener for the league champions.
With Smyth and Foy switching wings so effectively the Reds
continued to create opportunities and another chance went begging
for Gillespie, who made the keeper work to save low to his right,
following Smyth's teasing cross.
I'd been really impressed with Reds attacking left-back,
Chris Butler, who really has all of the tools. Very quick, eager
to run with the ball, able to beat players and like most of
the academy lads has no inhibitions as far as getting stuck
in is concerned.
Speaking of getting stuck in, there is a huge difference
between being competitive in the tackle and simply hacking down
the man every time. And finally after the crowds patience is
beginning to wear thin, the clueless referee finally reaches
for his pocket as Potter is crudely scythed down by James Ashmore.
Almost immediately after though, Butler upsets the Sheffield
United fans who had made the trip to Kirkby with a nasty looking
two footed lunch, although fortunately for
him he gets the ball and not the man. The watching
Reds respond to the inane inbred's with a slightly sarcastic
"Well in Chris lad!" but it really was a terrible challenge
and something which the 17 year old will have to remove from
his game if he is to continue to be held in such high esteem
by everyone at the football club.
The Reds are scandalously denied a second goal as the 12
year old linesman judges Massie to be offside, when the ball
was pulled BACK to him. I think after his paper-round the young
assistant should brush up on the rules a little. A blatant
penalty was also overlooked when Smyth was dragged back just
inside the box. The referee chose to ignore it.
One of a number of baffling, not to mention infuriating decisions.
So the Reds only had one goal to show for their efforts despite
totally dominating the first half.
It seemed that it was just the final ball which let the
Reds down. I lost count of how many times marauding wingers
Foy and Smyth got to the by-line - ably assisted by full backs
Butler and Skipper Stephen Vaughan - only for their crosses
to be cut out by the first defender, if they could improve this
then surely the goals would flow in the second period.
Centre backs Adam Flynn and David Raven who dropped back
down to the U17's after spending the majority of the season
at right back for the U19's, had very little to do, and could
have probably placed a couple of deck chairs on the half-way
line and basked in the gorgeous Kirkby sunshine. Well not quite
but it was certainly warmer than the arctic conditions which
have greeted us for the majority of the campaign.
It is really obvious that this team have played together
for the last two years, their passing is so crisp and accurate
and it is a totally oddity when a pass doesn't find its target.
The movement is also supreme and sometimes leads to some scintillating
football. For example the move which set the tireless Jason
Massie clean through, involving at least 6 players, and lots
of nice one touch stuff. The bluenose referee obviously didn't
appreciate that as he scandalously over-rules the linesman (who'd
correctly kept his flag down) to give a very contentious offside
decision.
On 63 minutes the Reds came perilously close to doubling
their advantage after a great run and cross from Foy found his
fellow wing wizard Smyth those deflected shot was miraculously
clawed away by Lindley. Minutes later they combined again
as Smyth's header fell to the luckless Gillespie who even with
two bites at the cherry couldn't turn the ball home from close
range. Gillespie really should have got about five today.
Robbie Foy was definitely the key man for the Reds in the
second half and had the beating of United full back Lee Tann
every single time. Foy follows in the tradition of young
Liverpool wingers Mark Peers and Neil Prince and indeed Ritchie
Partridge before him, all of whom are very similar players.
He is only 16 and looks pure quality, certainly one to keep
an eye on anyway.
The young Scot almost created a comedy own goal as his attempted
cross was lashed into the side netting by the gargantuan Blades
number 5 Nicky Ellis. I was a little worried at this point that
the Reds weren't able to build on their lead because as ineffectual
as United's attack had been, at 1-0 there is always a chance
as Ian Ross proved with a cheeky chip that drifted just over
Tim Dittmer's crossbar.
On 88 minutes Gillespie FINALLY got his goal sealing the
points for Liverpool blasting home from 12 yards following more
great work from Butler, which sealed his selection as Man of
the Match.
So a vital win for the majestic U17's who amazingly remain
unbeaten, they now know that a win at home to Leicester City
on April 6th will seal there place in the national quarter finals.
And who would dare bet against them.
Team:- Tim Dittmer, Stephen Vaughan, Adam Flynn, David Raven,
Chris Butler; Mark Smyth, Carl Clampitt, Darren Potter, Robbie
Foy; Jason Massie, Stephen Gillespie:
