[lfc-news] Academy: Ground switch no advantage - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 25 Jan 2005
Ground switch no advantage
Academy football with Chris Wright, Daily Post

THERE were no home comforts for Liverpool under-18s for the second time
in a week as they lost 2-0 to Crewe Alexandra in the FA Premier Academy
League on Saturday.

The away fixture was switched to Liverpool's Kirkby Academy due to a
waterlogged pitch in Crewe. But as with the midweek FA Youth Cup fourth
round tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield they fell to defeat.

In only their second match of the year, Liverpool failed to get going
and possibly the physical and mental exertions of the midweek Cup clash,
when the lost 4-2 on penalties after extra-time to Spurs, took their toll.

Owens made a number of changes from midweek, with several of the older
members who were ineligible for Youth Cup returning. But Crewe started
the brighter and scored after 10 minutes. Ten minutes later the 'home'
side were 2--0 ahead and that is how the match stayed as Liverpool
couldn't really get themselves back in the game despite having a couple
of half chances.

Coach Owens said: "It was a bit of an aftermath of having played so well
against Spurs in the Youth Cup, but still going out. There were a few
players with tired legs and being deflated after the defeat. One or two
players didn't play as well as they normally do and I would like to
think I can put that down to the disappointment of going out and also
the effort they put in over the two hours.

"It wasn't the same team as midweek, but I felt it wasn't as good as
performance as we have had previously.

"Although we had some chances and decent periods of play after we were
2-0 down, it was a disappointing performance."

Trialist Chris Ashton, who has been training at the Academy for the past
month, came on in the second half for Phil Townley, but the college
striker from Haydock will not be kept on.

Injury-plagued former England youth international midfielder David
Mannix completed his first full 90 minutes as he builds up his fitness
match.

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Willis, J Smith, D Smith, Hitchen, O'Donnell,
Guthrie, Hammill (Frayne 60), Mannix, Noon, C Platt, Townley (Ashton
60). Subs: Spearing, Holmes, Murphy.


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