UNITED YOUNGSTERS GAIN UPPER HAND
Skipper Sam Hewson put Manchester United's youngsters on target for
their 10th FA Youth Cup triumph with a late penalty at Anfield in
the final's first leg.
Holders Liverpool had taken the lead in the first half with a fine
header from the impressive Craig Lindfield.
But in front of a 19,518 crowd, an own goal from Robbie Threlfall
gave United parity soon after the break, before Hewson bagged his
fifth goal in this season's tournament to send United confidently
into the Old Trafford second leg on April 26.
The good and the great of both clubs were in evidence at Anfield,
both first team managers - Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson -
plus a galaxy of Liverpool senior talent in Steven Gerrard, Jamie
Carragher, Jose Reina and Xabi Alonso, were all there to see the
stars of the future.
But such were the pressing requirements of Ferguson's senior men,
he withdrew youth captain Carl Cathcart from the match to include
him in the squad to play Sheffield United on Tuesday, having been
on the bench at Villa Park in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against
Watford.
And Gerrard and Carragher were on their feet after just 16 minutes,
punching the air, as Liverpool's youngsters took the lead.
Ray Putterill, on the left, put United full-back Richard Eckersley
on the seat of his pants with a twisting run before crossing for
Lindfield to head past German keeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
The tall striker had started the season in a first-team friendly at
Crewe alongside Robbie Fowler, when he scored, and he caused
United's back line plenty of problems.
The visitors' response was an over-head effort from Febian Brandy,
and a low drive from Chris Fagan, well saved by Danish youngster
Martin Hansen.
United produced some neat, controlled play with 16 year-old winger
Daniel Welbeck -described by Ferguson as "an excellent young
talent" - a constant danger.
And four minutes into the second period they were level, thanks to
an own goal from the unfortunate Threlfall, who headed Daniel
Galbraith's cross past Hansen.
It took a while for Liverpool to recover from that body blow, and
United continued to have the greater possession. But hard-working
Jimmy Ryan in midfield drove them on, and saw one of his own
25-yard shot go wide.
Putterill continued to torment United's right flank, cutting inside
on 65 minutes to curl a fine effort just over.
But on 73 minutes United grabbed the lead from the spot when
Liverpool skipper Jay Spearing brought down Brandy in the box, and
Hewson stood up to the pressure from a baying Kop to drill home the
spot-kick.
Liverpool fought back gallantly, but United's defence - in which
James Chester was outstanding - held out for the crucial first-leg
victory.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2069364,00.html
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