[lfc-news] Academy: Striker shortfall starting to bite - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 7 Dec 2004
Striker shortfall starting to bite
Academy football with Chris Wright, Daily Post

LIVERPOOL under-18s were once again left to rue their inconsistencies at
both ends of the pitch as they lost 2-0 at Stoke City on Saturday.

Recent performances have been encouraging, even if results mean that John
Owens's side remain bottom of the FA Premier Academy League Group A table.

Once again Liverpool created a number of excellent opportunities but failed
to take them. Danny Smith and James Frayne both could have put Liverpool
ahead, but after going into the break at 0-0 Stoke took two chances in the
second half to claim the points

The first goal came after goalkeeper Paul Willis could only parry a 30-yard
shot out and the home striker was on hand to tap in.

Then Danny Smith failed to spot a Stoke player as he passed inside and it
presented him with a simple chance to double the score.

Owens said: "We had the better of the play and the better of the chances in
the first half, but as usual we couldn't convert those chances into goals.

"In the second half it was much of a muchness really. We didn't play as
well, but at least as well as them.

"Both their goals were mistakes on our part really and it was very
disappointing to lose 2-0."

He added: "It is a lack of finishing quality that is costing us. It has
been there all season. Although we have been working on it, you know if you
have someone who can finish - like last year we had Steven Gillespie - you
have a chance. And though you keep practising, it is hard to put that into
players if it is not there already.

"Box-to-box it is very good, but we just can't break teams down. We don't
have the players up front who take the chances."

One plus point from the match was the return of defenders Adam Hitchen and
Jordan Holmes, who both played 45 minutes on their return from long-term
injury.

Both players will be a boost to Owens as he goes into the final Academy
League match of the year this Saturday and the FA Youth Cup third round
clash with Wealdstone two weeks today.

Owens added: "Both of them reported that the game went well for them as far
as the injury goes."

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Willis; J Smith, C Woods (C Platt 45), Hitchen (Holmes
45), O'Donnell; Barratt, Wilkie, Guthrie, D Smith; Frayne Townley. Subs:
Lancaster, Noon, Hammill.


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