[lfc-news] Academy: Owens pleased to start with win - Post

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LIverpool Daily Post, 23 Aug 2005
Owens pleased to start with win
Academy Football with Chris Wright, Daily Post

LIVERPOOL got off to a winning start in the FA Premier Academy League
with an excellent 2-1 victory at Cardiff City.

Goals from Michael Nardiello and Jimmy Ryan saw John Owens's side claim
all three points and put down a marker for the new campaign.

Last season was a disappointing one for Liverpool's Academy side as they
finished bottom of the North West table. But hopes are high that they
can challenge at the other end of the section this time. Saturday has at
least given them a good starting point to build on.

The first half was goalless but Nardiello saw one shot saved and fellow
forward James Frayne was wide with another effort as Liverpool were the
side most likely to break the deadlock. Nardiello finally opened the
scoring in the second period with his first goal for Owens's side when
he followed up to stroke home from close range after Francis Smith's
shot was parried by the keeper.

Cardiff equalised after a cross from the left was turned in by the home
striker from six yards out. But with 10 minutes remaining Jimmy Ryan
gave Liverpool victory with a low drive. Francis Smith's initial
free-kick was blocked and Ryan slammed in the rebound from the edge of
the area.

Coach Owens said: "I am obviously pleased that we won the game. I don't
think we played anywhere near our best, but sometimes you are happy just
to get off to a good start, and particularly an away game. Cardiff
weren't as physical as I thought they might have been and played
football, so it was a good contest. We weren't in any danger in the
first half and probably had the upper hand for most of the match."

Owens added: "Dave Roberts, who did well in goal, and the two
centrebacks - Calum Woods and Robbie Threlfall - were probably the three
best players for us. They did everything needed of them defensively.

"Further forward what was missing was the kind of touch which you would
expect to come as the season progresses."

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Roberts, Holmes, Spearing, Woods, Threlfall, Ryan,
Flynn (Lindfield 70), F Smith, Nardiello, Frayne (Barratt 70), Barnett
(Woodward 70). Subs: Mimms, Darby.

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