Liverpool’s Academy youngsters are knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on penalties after a pulsating 4-4 draw with Reading…
Neil Critchley‘s U18s have bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at the quater-final stage after an epic encounter with Reading at the Madejski Stadium last night.
The junior Reds, who were 2-0 down during normal time before finding two late goals to force extra time, looked to be on their way to victory after opening up a 4-2 lead during the additional 30 minutes.
However, Reading came roaring back with two late goals of their own before edging the penalty shootout 5-4.
Regardless of the outcome, both sets of players deserve high praise for contributing to an incredible game which ebbed and flowed in improbable directions.
The Academy youngsters had initially looked to be on their way out during normal time after a double from impressive home forward Harry Cardwell.
The first of which, in the 8th minute, was a spectacular solo effort as the former Hull City youth powered down the right, twisted and turned Jordan Williams and finished from a tight angle.
His second, dispatched at the second attempt after a good save by Ryan Crump, came 20 minutes from full-time and looked to have settled the contest.
Liverpool, reminiscent of so many comebacks by the senior side over the years, refused to accept defeat though and were given a lifeline when Williams converted a low drive from the edge of the area with seven minutes remaining.
The goal spurred the visitors into all-out attack mode and, with Reading camped inside their own box, they found a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time through Jordan Rossiter.
With players dropping left, right and centre through cramp, the Merseysiders completed their heroic comeback in the 94th minute when Daniel Trickett-Smith wrong-footed the defence and slotted past Lewis Ward.
Welsh international Harry Wilson appeared to have capped the remarkable turnaround 10 minutes later after racing clear but unbelievably the drama was far from over.
De’Jaune Taylor-Crossdale pulled a goal back with just three minutes left and then, with the final whistle imminent, fellow substitute George McLennan fired into the roof of the net following a goalmouth melee to send this incomprehensible match to penalties.
Given the tiredness and pressure it was perhaps surprising that only one player would go onto miss from 12 yards.
Unfortunately for Liverpool that player was Cameron Brannagan, who fired wide with the score at 2-2.
After two further successful conversions apiece, Taylor-Crossdale slotted home the final penalty to spark jubilant scenes amongst the Royals.
They go onto face either Fulham or Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals while a dejected Liverpool are left to contemplate what might have been.
Liverpool U18s: Crump, Randall (c) (Cleary 110′), Jones, Williams, Maguire, Wilson, Chirivella (Trickett-Smith 69′), Rossiter, Ojo, Brannagan, Kent (Canos 69′)
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