AcademyU18s match report: Ahmed scores twice as Liverpool edged out by Newcastle

Ethan Ndiweni got the first goal of an entertaining game for the away side and Kareem Ahmed brought the Reds back on terms before half-time.

After Joe Bradshaw was off target from a penalty kick, Ndiweni restored the opposition lead and Joe Brayson extended it from the spot ahead of the 60-minute mark.

Ahmed’s second strike of the afternoon set up a fascinating finale and Liverpool kept battling for an equaliser, but it did not come and Newcastle secured the points.

The visitors were lively from the off and threatened twice before two minutes had elapsed in the U18 Premier League North clash.

First, the ball was worked nicely to Kacey Wooster in a central spot in the area; his initial strike at goal was blocked, though, and his rebound attempt sliced wide.

Seconds later, Matheos Ferreira’s pace and skill along the Newcastle left allowed him to size up an effort on the angle that was deflected off target.

Rio Ngumoha, making his first start since joining Liverpool, saw a shot of his own deflected before at the other end Wooster fired too close to Bailey Hall from a promising space in the middle.

The home team began to settle and three times came close to breaking the deadlock around the midway point of the first half.

Clae Ewing’s drive from 20 yards out, after strong pressing from Oliver O’Connor, was thwarted by Magpies goalkeeper Will Anderson, and Lucas Pitt then sent a near-post header wide having lost his man to meet Ahmed’s corner.

Ewing’s influence for the Reds was increasing and next he slid a pass through to Ngumoha’s run into the box, from where his left-footed blast was palmed away by Anderson.

Not that Newcastle’s threat had abated, and from a counter-attack Wooster got in behind and squared for Ferreira, who got the ball under his control but lifted the finish against the crossbar.

A goal was clearly coming from somewhere and, indeed, there was one for each team before the break.

Newcastle netted first, taking advantage of Liverpool squandering possession as they tried to move up the field. Wooster got in again and though his strike was denied by Hall, Ndiweni scooped up the spilled ball and converted.

The Reds’ response was quick, with short passing between Bradshaw, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Ahmed cutting through the opposition. Bradshaw’s dinked effort was stopped but Ahmed followed in to score.

Ngumoha twice came close to putting the hosts ahead in the remainder of the half, dragging one shot wide from the edge of the box and thundering another onto the crossbar after more link-up work with Ewing.

Liverpool were on the front foot early in the second half and substitute Afolami Onanuga broke away along the left wing and rolled a good pass into the middle, from where Ahmed got too much power on his effort and sent it high.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side won a penalty in minute 49, Bradshaw tripped by Ferreira as he moved in from the right. The No.7 stepped up to the kick himself but cleared the crossbar.

The away team then scored twice in quick succession before the hour mark.

From a turnover in the Reds half, Brayson slid a pass through to Ndiweni – who had delayed his run to remain onside, rounded Hall and held off the recovering Pitt to net.

Newcastle were awarded a penalty of their own with 57 on the clock, Ngumoha felling Guy Bloomer as he attacked the area. Brayson took responsibility and planted a side-footer past the reach of Hall to the right of goal.

Liverpool rallied impressively and cut back their deficit to one just past the hour. Ngumoha fed Ahmed from a short corner and after an attempted cross came back to him, he thrashed a low shot home.

They almost equalised instantly, only for Bradshaw to be thwarted by Anderson when served in space inside the area by the buoyant Ahmed.

As the Reds cranked up their pressure, Bradshaw emphatically found the target after a slick dribble by DJ Esdaille – but the offside flag was raised against him.

Ahmed was a player on a mission and after an incisive run, it needed an excellent spring down to the left from Anderson to push his latest strike around the post, as Newcastle held on to the slender lead.

TEAM

Hall, Esdaille, Evers, Pitt, Enahoro-Marcus, Ewing (Onanuga, 46), Bradshaw, O’Connor, Sonni-Lambie, Ahmed, Ngumoha (Lonmeni, 69).

Unused subs: Furnell-Gill, Bernard, Ayman.

NEXT UP

Liverpool’s U19s continue their UEFA Youth League campaign with a home fixture against Bologna on Wednesday (October 2).

Kick-off at the Academy is 2pm BST and the game will be broadcast live on LFCTV GO.