Youngsters head out on a high

Mar 18 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

TOP scorer Nathan Eccleston and 16-year-old starlet Adam Pepper were among the goals as Liverpool under-18s secured an excellent 3-0 win over Barnsley at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday.

Hugh McAuley’s side head to Middle East for the Jared tournament in buoyant mood after Saturday’s win.

Despite dominating, Liverpool didn’t make the breakthrough until the second period. But it was worth the wait with a fine goal from Swedish youth international midfielder Astrit Adjarevic, who beat two defenders before firing in from the edge of the box.

Then young star Pepper scored his first goal for the U18s when he was set up by Eccleston. Eccleston then added his 18th of the season after being set up by David Amoo. McAuley said: “It was a good win. It really was the finishing off of how we have been playing for the last couple of weeks really. We have been playing well, but not scoring goals – against Barnsley we did.

It was just reward for the effort for the boys for the past few weeks. It was exactly what we were looking for before we go away for this tournament.

“Two under-16 players – Jack Metcalf and Adam Pepper – played again and did very well with Adam scoring his first goal. We are using the last few games to bring in a few players who will be in the squad next season and it is working well.”

McAuley’s side head off to Abu Dhabi to play in a five-team tournament over the Easter break in Academy League fixtures.

Other sides involved in the tournament include Spanish side Atletico Madrid, Brazilians Fluminese, Genarva from Argentina and hosts Al Wadka.

The Liverpool squad travel tomorrow and play four matches in all. Their first is on Friday, then again on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Once they return they will be back in league action on Saturday, April 5 when they take on Derby County at the Kirkby Academy (kick-off 11am).

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s (v Barnsley): Oldfield; Scott, Metcalf, Kennedy, O’Connor; Amoo, Highdale (Awang 85), Adjarevic, Kacaniklic; Pepper (Parsonage 80), Eccleston. Subs: Hansen.

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s (squad to travel to Abu Dhabi): Hansen, Oldfield, Metcalf, Kennedy, O’Connor, Amoo, Highdale, Pepper, Dalla Valle, Pourie, Ajdarevic, Eccleston, Collins, Scott.