Mixed fortunes for youngsters

Last updated : 17 November 2002 By Footymad
Liverpool Under 19's were beaten 1-0, while the Under 17's held the visitors to a goalless draw.

"It was disappointing and not a good result to go into the youth cup tie," said Under 19's coach John Owens.

"The plus for us was Stephen Gillespie played after injury and we gave him and hour before he came off."

The Under 19's must now bounce back for their FA Youth Cup game with Barnsley on Thursday.

"We will be up for it on Thursday against Barnsley. They have already played two games in the youth cup and beaten Crewe and Mansfield.

"We have to match their momentum but we are looking forward to it."

Under 17's coach Dave Shannon was only slightly happier with his side's performance.

"We had a young team with eight scholars playing but this was our poorest performance of the season.

"The bonus for us is that although it was a poor performance we kept a clean sheet, but our main focus is the performance of the players.

"We were without Robbie Foy who we rested because he had a slight hamstring injury and we didn't want to risk it with the youth cup tie on Thursday.

"We missed Clint Burton and Tom Jebb as they are lively players for us. I thought 15-year-old Francis Smith did quite well for us."

Shannon's youngsters now face Wolves at home next Saturday.