McAuley happy with comeback

Jan 15 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

HUGH McAULEY took plenty of positives from Liverpool’s comeback in Friday’s 3-3 Premier Academy League draw with Everton at Finch Farm.

The Liverpool coach said: “They were two evenly-matched teams, with a good tempo to the game. We created chances and played well in parts, but the goals we conceded were all individual mistakes and you can’t legislate for that. But I was pleased with the attitude of the boys throughout the game, but particularly in the last 20 minutes when we were 3-1 down.”

Liverpool started well when Gary Mackay-Steven slammed home the opener from 20 yards following a half-cleared corner after seven minutes. But errors turned that 1-0 into a three-goal deficit by the hour mark.

Liverpool gifted Everton an equaliser on 14 minutes when goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis hit a clearance at Kieran Agard, who had the simple task of putting the ball into an empty net.

Seven minutes into the second half another error gave Everton the lead. Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala seemed to be in control of a long ball, but under pressure from Lewis Codling he looped a back-pass over the Bouzanis.

And a poor clearance from Bouzanis hit Agard on the head, who set up Codling to make it 3-1

Marvin Pourie issed a great chance to reduce the arrears when his spot-kick was saved by Lars Stubhaug after James McCarten had fouled Nathan Eccleston.

But from the corner Eccleston prodded home to make it 3-2 and after an altercation involving several players, McCarten was sent off for raising his hands. Liverpool took advantage of their extra man and substitute Michael Collins pounced after Stubhaug fumbled.

After two draws Liverpool will look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Manchester United to the Kirkby Academy this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Meanwhile, holders Liverpool Youth will face Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup at Anfield on Tuesday, January 29 (kick-off 7pm).

LIVERPOOL U18s: Bouzanis, Irwin, Mackay-Steven (O’Connor 65), Ayala, Kennedy, Highdale, Amoo, Ajdarevic, Pourie, Eccleston, Kacaniklic (Collins 71). Subs: Hansen, Scott, Awang.