YOUTH: Steve Irwin keeps Youth side on track for Cup hat-trick

Jan 30 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

CAPTAIN Steve Irwin scored the only goal of the match to keep Liverpool on course for a hat-trick of wins in the FA Youth Cup fourth round as they beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield last night.

In a tight contest Irwin struck midway through the first half with a deflected effort to put Hugh McAuley’s side a fifth round trip to Sunderland in a match expected to be played on Wednesday, February 13 at the Stadium Of Light.

Liverpool have won the prestigious youth tournament for the past two seasons, but only had four players in their squad who had played any part in those victories.

Arsenal, meanwhile, boasted three players with experience of playing for Arsene Wenger’s first-team, in Gavin Hoyte – brother of Justin, Mark Randall and Kieran Gibbs.

In the first half the home side’s Australian keeper Dean Bouzanis denied both Gilles Sunu and Hoyte. But it was Liverpool who almost took the lead on 24 minutes but David Amoo’s header from Sean Highdale’s cross was saved by Arsenal keeper Szczesny.

Within a minute the home side opened the scoring when Irwin fired in from the right-hand side and the ball deflected in off an Arsenal defender’s arm.

Liverpool almost made it 2-0 in similar circumstances four minutes before half-time, but Amoo’s cross which deflected off Paul Rodgers was cleared off the line by Hoyte.

Arsenal pressed for an equaliser after the break, but Liverpool held firm against Steve Bould’s side.

At the other end Amoo was denied by great save from Szczesny on 71 minutes.

Liverpool’s task was made easier 10 minutes from time when Arsenal’s James Dunne sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down the lively Amoo.

Defender Martin Kelly blocked a Sanchez Watts’ shot, while even the introduction of Tom Cruise as a late substitute couldn’t stop Liverpool going through.

LIVERPOOL YOUTH: Bouzanis, Irwin, MacKay-Steven, Kelly, Kennedy, Ajdarevic, Kacaniklic, Amoo, Highdale, Eccleston, Pourie (Collins 77). Subs: Hansen, O’Connor, Scott, Awang.

ARSENAL YOUTH: Szczesny, Ogogo, Steer (Cruise 85), Dunne, Hoyte, Rodgers, Watts, Randall, Sunu (Thomas 71), Barazite, Gibbs. Subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Bartley.