Reds U18 continue pre-season with a win over Cardiff

Posted by liverweb on August 7, 2010, 05:35:42 pm

Liverpool 2 Cardiff City 0

The Reds U18 continued their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff at the academy. Michael Ngoo bagged two in the first half which proved enough for the Reds.

Prior to the U18 game I had managed to watch the U16 side thrash their opposition which I think was Luton 7-0. Expecting an 11 am kick off for the U18s I wandered down to the only game being played. It turned out to be the U16s on the back pitch. Opposite side to them were the reserves being put through their paces ahead of their trip to Ireland next week for a couple of friendly games.

I only recognised a couple of players at the U16 level but they played really well. Dave Moli played up front and Henoc Mukendi was a strong player down the left wing. Both scored in the win which was watched by Kenny Dalglish. The side looked confident on the ball and played some nice football.

The U18 game as it turned out didn't start until 1 so I had a break before that game although sadly the club hadn't bothered to open the cafe so no interim cup of tea.

The Reds kicked off the U18 game against Cardiff and were ahead inside seven minutes thanks to Ngoo. Michael Ngoo tackled back and won the ball in midfield before storming past three or four challenges and after coming inside slammed the ball home in to the bottom corner of the goal.

The Reds played well in the first half and were in total control of the match. Since they were defending the academy end of the pitch it meant all the play was in the opposite half to where I was stood.

Raheem Sterling shot just wide of the post after being fed by Tony Silva who is expected to sign a pro contract next month.

Despite being the dominant side the Reds didn't quite work the keeper enough and it was just after the half hour when they bagged the second goal. Adorjan crossed the ball in from the right side and Ngoo flicked the ball in to the back of the net.

On thirty eight minutes the Reds broke quickly through Silva who in turn found Sterling but after teeing up Craig Roddan he saw hos shot fly just over the bar.

At half time the Reds sent on Karl Clair for Sterling and also made a switch at left back too.

Cardiff got the game started again and they put in a much better performance second half without scoring. Ten minutes in to the half the Reds went on the attack. Ngoo sent Clair down the inside left but his pull back was blocked and the chance was snuffed out.

A few minutes later and Adorjan set a ball up for Ngoo down the left. He cut inside his man before sending the ball in tot he area but it proved just too close to the keeper and he gathered it up.

The Reds made further changes in the half with Josh Sumner replacing Adorjan, Tom Walsh replacing Tony Silva and Emilsson for Ngoo.

After the initial charge by Cardiff the game evened up a lot more with the Reds going closest in the second half. Sumner whipped in a superb corner which Regan saw saved on the line. Tony Silva was sent back in to the action for the final fifteen minutes too after Karl Clair was forced off due to an injury.

Late in the game Tom Walsh dragged a shot wide of the goal before the ref wrapped things up for the afternoon. The Reds entertain Southampton next week before the league action starts the week after.

MotM : Michael Ngoo - looked menacing all game to me and his touch looks to have improved an awful lot since last season too or maybe he's just got stronger.

Liverpool    Belford, Poor, McGiveron (King 45), Sama, Regan, Aylmer, Silva (Walsh 70), Roddan, Ngoo (Emillson (72), Adorjan (Sumner 61), Sterling (Clair 45 (Silva 78)


Goal    Ngoo 2 (7, 31)

copyright : Liverweb 2010

View Comments | Post Comment

More