City’s kids first stood up to and then came very close to getting the better of a Liverpool team that had averaged five goals a game in their pre season matches. After a nervy start in which some of the side looked a little daunted by the opposition, the television cameras and the plush surroundings of Liverpool’s, Kirby based, Academy.
City settled down to give as good as they got in a competitive first half short in goalmouth action – the home side probably should have taken the lead when one of their subs was given a clear sight of goal shortly after being introduced, but keeper Richards was quickly out to block the shot, while an inswinging Theo Wharton corner was cleared off the line by a Liverpool full back. The best chance for City in the first period though came when Jessie Darko lobbed over the keeper, but also over the bar.
Under 18's captain Joe Ralls was in Farnborough's first team at the age of 15.
The second half continued in much the same way as the first, but it was noticeable that Liverpool were becoming increasingly frustrated by a team that I’m sure they would have expected to beat comfortably beforehand. City, well served at centeback by the towering Josh Yorwerth and the dependable Adedeji Oshilala, began to get a grip on things in midfield with skipper Joe Ralls and Wharton becoming more involved, when a fine ball by sub Luke Jones put Darko through again.
The chance was not taken, but some classy work by Ralls gave another sub, Yannis Drais, the chance to cross low into the six yard box and a clear handball in the scramble which followed gave Ralls the opportunity to put City ahead from the penalty spot, which he confidently accepted by sending the keeper the wrong way. The chance was there for our under 18′s to record a win which would rival the 5-1 victory over Man United four years ago as our best since gaining Academy status, but a fine shot from twenty yards levelled things up with around a quarter of an hour left and, although the home side missed a good chance right at the death, City were able to leave with a thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw that represented a very encouraging start to their 2011/12 campaign.