City of Liverpool 0-1 Morecambe (AET)
FA Youth Cup First Round
Cantilever Park
Wednesday 3 November 2021
Kick-Off: 7:00pm
The Shrimps’ academy started their FA Youth Cup campaign in perfect fashion, with a hard-fought 1-0 win over City of Liverpool at Warrington Town’s Cantilever Park.
It took until first half extra time for the deadlock to be broken, and the goal came courtesy of a fierce finish from Jamie Nicholson which was followed by some fantastic defending and goalkeeping to keep the hosts at bay.
The first chance of the game fell to the way of City of Liverpool, the ball fell kindly into the path of Manlow, but his scuffed effort rolled safely wide of Joe Lawton’s right-hand post.
A trio of chances shortly followed for Morecambe man Callum Sandle, who came agonisingly close with a cluster of headers inside the box, though the all-important goal continued to prove illusive.
The visitors looked to end the half strongly, and Cameron Rooney came close one minute before the break when he cut inside on his right and looked to curl one at goal, but too much bend on the strike took the ball beyond the far post.
Half-Time: City of Liverpool 0-0 Morecambe
Ten minutes into the second half and it was Morecambe again who came closest to breaking the deadlock, this time it was Nicholson who tried to find the far corner from the edge of the box, forcing Leach into a fine save to deny the reds.
Fifteen minutes from time and Morecambe were awarded a penalty after substitute McKean was tripped inside the box by Manlow, Adam Mayor stepped up but could only rocket his effort off the crossbar.
A flurry of chances followed for both sides, most notably a Nicholson free-kick three minutes from time that left ‘keeper Leach stranded in the hosts’ goal, but the shot shaved past the woodwork.
Full-Time: City of Liverpool 0-0 Morecambe
After a pulsating 90 minutes, it boiled down to extra time to decide the tie, and it was the Merseyside outfit who nearly got off to the perfect start one minute in, however after breaking through one-on-one, Orihu’s effort was blasted wide.
Six minutes later and Morecambe’s hard work and attacking intend paid off when Nicholson raced forward at the back post and met a pinpoint pass to slot home from close range, cue wild celebrations from the team in red.
The game really sprung into life in the second half of extra time, and it was goalkeeper Lawton who produced the goods with multiple incredible saves.
Three minutes from time, a full stretch dive and a strong hand from the number one somehow managed to keep out an almost certain goal for the hosts.
This was followed up with another piece of brilliance, this time Lawton closed down the attacker in a one-on-one situation and turned behind an effort from the angle at close range.
Despite several half chances for each side in the latter stages, the Shrimps managed to hold on to a thoroughly deserved win and were rewarded with a place in the draw for the FA Youth Cup Second Round.
Full-Time AET: City of Liverpool 0-1 Morecambe
City of Liverpool: Leach, Fenton, Lawton, Gerrard, O’Donnell, Hilcourse, Manlow (Wilson, 108) Lockett, Monthe, Orihu, Cunningham (Hactung, 77)
Subs: Duney, Todd, Harper, Fanham, Idavu
Goals: None
Bookings: Gerrard
Red Cards: None
Morecambe: Lawton, Cooper, Foden (Wright, 90’), Huddleston, Carter, Lancaster, Rooney, Mercer, Nicholson, Sandle (McKean, 62), Mayor
Subs: Calister, Ballantyne, Abdullah
Goals: Nicholson 96’
Bookings: Mayor, Carter, Huddleston.
Red Cards: None