YOUTH CUP: Holders Liverpool suffer late Cup knockout

Feb 14 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

HOLDERS Liverpool crashed out of the FA Youth Cup as they were beaten 5-3 by Sunderland after extra-time in last night’s fifth round tie at the Stadium Of Light.

Hugh McAuley’s side twice came from behind to send the tie into extra-time. But a Martyn Waghorn hat-trick, two of which came in the extra period, dashed hopes of a third successive Youth Cup triumph.

Liverpool were two goals down inside the first half an hour. Joe Cornforth headed the home side into the lead on 21 minutes. And six minutes later an individual strike from Jordan Cook left Liverpool 2-0 down.

But within six minutes after the start of the second half Liverpool were level.

Nathan Eccleston reduced the arrears from the spot on 48 minutes after he had been brought down by Sunderland keeper Dan Staples.

Almost immediately German striker Marvin Pourie levelled the tie.

A goal from Waghorn 18 minutes from time put Liverpool 3-2 in arrears. But Daniel Pacheco ran through on Pourie’s through ball to level again on 81 minutes.

But Waghorn put Sunderland ahead again a minute from the end of the first period with a stunning 20-yard volley and wrapped up his hat-trick, and the tie, with four minutes to go.

LIVERPOOL YOUTH: Bouzanis, Irwin, MacKay-Steven (Collins 115), Kelly, Kennedy, Highdale (Pepper 117), Amoo (O'Connor 110), Ajdarevic, Pourie, Pacheco, Eccleston. Subs: Hansen, Metcalf.