[Liverweb] Youth Cup News

Liverpool are in pole position to reach the final of the FA Youth Cup after
goals from Jack Hobbs and Craig Lindfield gave them a hard fought 2-1 win
over Southampton in the 1st Leg of the Semi Final at Anfield tonight.

Steve Heighway's side took charge of this match with two goals in the
opening 13 minutes and although McGoldrick pulled one back for Southampton
they will be pleased to be taking a lead to St Mary's for the return after
a tough match.

The young Reds swept aside Carlisle 6-0 in the last round, but they will
have expected a much tougher assignment against a Southampton side that
went all the way to the final last year before being beat by Ipswich.

It was the Saints who threatened first when McGoldrick hit a long range
shot over in the first minute, but Liverpool were soon making inroads of
their own when some good control and a smart pass from Anderson almost
created a chance for Lindfield.

That proved to be a sign of things to come because the Reds soon took a 6th
minute lead through defender Jack Hobbs. It came when Adam Hammill won a
free kick on the left and he picked himself up to cross to Hobbs, who
finished into the top corner with a clever flick of the boot.

The goal was a catalyst for a series of Liverpool attacks and they doubled
their advantage in the 13th minute through Craig Lindfield. Lindfield was
the hero of the last round when he scored a hat trick and he was on the
scoresheet again tonight when sliding in to convert Barnett's cross.

The Reds were well on top, but Southampton did come here with a good
reputation and they slowly managed to claw their way back into the game and
McGoldrick had a shot deflected just wide.

But while the Saints were playing with a lot of promise, it was still
Liverpool who were creating the game's most dangerous moments and Lindfield
almost made it 3-0 in the 35th minute. The chance came when Paul Anderson,
whose pace was to cause problems all evening, sped down the right and
crossed to Lindfield, who stabbed the ball just the wrong side of the post.

The second half kicked off with Southampton in the ascendancy and they got
themselves back into the game in the 54th minute when David McGoldrick ran
through to make it 2-1 with a low finish. There was no disputing Saints'
supremacy in the first quarter of the second period and it took a great
save from Roberts to stop Dutton-Black making it 2-2 soon after.

The Saints continued to press hard for an equalizer and De Carvalho and
McGoldrick both went close as the Reds struggled to wrest control of
midfield. Heighway replaced Parsonage with the fresh legs of Ryan after 70
minutes as his side attempted to regain the poise they had in the first half.

But it was their visitors who continued to carve out the better chances and
they again came close to equalizing in the 81st minute when Dutton-Black's
long range effort came back off the inside of the post and flashed across
the face of the goal.

Liverpool responded with an attack of their own and Anderson forced the
Saints' keeper into a good save with a left footed shot. But Heighway
sensed that further fresh legs were needed and he replaced Lindfield with
Nardiello late on.

In the end the Reds had done enough to merit their victory and they will
travel to Southampton in seven days time with a real chance of making their
first FA Youth Cup Final since 1996.

Andy
Liverweb

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

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