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Advantage Liverpool
By Nick Callow. Thursday, 13 April 2006.
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Threlfall 18, Flynn 32, Roque 84
FA Youth Cup Final
Thursday 13 April 2006
Anfield
Liverpool are favourites to claim their second FA Youth Cup after a thrilling 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the final at Anfield on Thursday night.
Goals from Robbie Threlfall, Ryan Flynn and Miki Roque handed the Reds the advantage ahead of next Friday's return in Manchester.
An impressive crowd of 12,744 hoped to see Liverpool repeat the Michael Owen-inspired success of 1996, and the clbutt of 2006 did not disappoint.
But for the heroics of City keeper Laurence Matthewson, the tie could have been over by half-time.
Liverpool were two up before the break, as the pace and movement of attacking quartet Adam Hamill, Paul Anderson, Craig Lindfield and Paul Barratt caused mayhem.
Hamill delighted the spectators with his skills, and after a mazy run on nine minutes, the striker's looping cross was met with an acrobatic overhead kick by Anderson which was narrowly wide.
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It was no surprise when Liverpool took the lead on 18 minutes. Charlie Barnett's corner was met by left back Threlfall's header. Matthewson produced a brave save, but the rebound fell kindly to Threlfall who made no mistake.
City responded instantly with the powerful forward line of Kelvin Etuhu and Daniel Sturridge a constant threat in possession.
Etuhu was left holding his head when he failed to connect with Ashley Williams' right wing cross on 19 minutes.
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However, the Reds maintained the attacking tempo as Anderson's influence grew. He pounced on a poor clearance by City left back Shaleum Logan on 32 minutes to embark on another run into the penalty box.
His perfectly weighted pbutt to midfielder Flynn was met with a neat finish which brought The Kop to its feet.
Matthewson prevented Anderson volleying home a third five minutes before the interval, and another flying save denied the same player's header a minute into the second half.
City vastly improved after the break and Sturridge was agonisingly close to reducing the deficit on three occasions.
Liverpool keeper Dave Roberts made two stunning saves to deny the striker, the pick of which was a one handed push wide on 71 minutes.
Sturridge also blasted over with only the keeper to beat as the home side's advantage looked increasingly fragile.
An enthralling contest ended with action at both ends. Only the crossbar stopped Anderson striking the goal of the tournament with a stunning overhead kick 13 minutes from time.
But six minutes from time sub Roque headed another Barnett corner home, putting Liverpool in a strong position for the second leg.
Liverpool: Roberts: Darby, Hobbs, Antwi, Threlfall, Barnett, Flynn (Spearing 88), Barratt, Hamill (Roque 77), Anderson, Lindfield.
Subs not used: Mimms, Ryan, Nardiello
Manchester City: Matthewson, Obeng, Logan, Williamson, Breen, Marshall, Williams, Johnson, Etuhu, Sturridge, Moore (Evans 81).
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Subs not used: Vadon, Mouritson, Daly, Clayton
Attendance: 12,744
For video highlights from the game, log on to TheFA.com tomorrow morning.
