Liverpool under-21s recorded their second win of pre-season, coming out on top 3-1 in a lively affair away to National League North opponents Kidderminster Harriers on Friday evening.
Barry Lewtas’ side recorded a thrilling 5-4 victory over Leeds United last Saturday, though this was preceded by a draw with Welsh Premier League side Caernarfon Town in Kirkby and a heavy 6-0 defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic.
Naming a strong starting-eleven for the trip to Worcestershire, starts were handed to the likes of Bobby Clark, Leighton Clarkson Mateusz Musialowski while Max Woltman and Oakley Cannonier were forced to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.
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The Reds’ first real opening stemmed from Clark, who made a surging run down the right flank five minutes into the match and was almost rewarded for his efforts as the ball bounced back into his path but out of play. Moments later, it was the turn of Clarkson to go in search of the game’s opening goal as he dragged a shot wide of the left post.
Liverpool were the team dominating the opening stages at Aggborough, though Reds goalkeeper Luke Hewitson remained alert when called upon to produce a smart save to deny Trialist C.
After knocking on the door during the opening stages of the contest, Jake Cain opened the scoring for the U21s inside the opening 20 minutes with a composed finish into the bottom left corner of the goal. Despite failing to keep out this effort, Kidderminster keeper Tom Palmer comfortably collected a deflected effort from Musialowski to rebuild his confidence.
Lewtas’ side had been cruising the contest up until this point, though came close to being caught out twice by Trialist C who forced the Reds’ central defensive duo, Luke Chambers and Lee Jonas, into unforced errors. Hewitson, making his first start for the U21s between the sticks, was responding well to every effort sent in his direction.
Just as fears over a Kidderminster goal were growing, Clarkson took matters into his own hands on the stroke of half-time as his powerful strike from the right of the box sailed into the top left corner.
Pleased with the performances of his players during the opening 45 minutes, Lewtas introduced four players after the interval as Dan Corness, Harvey Blair, Oakley Cannonier and Fidel O’Rourke entered the field of play. Making way for this quartet were Musialowski, Jack Bearne, Layton Stewart and Bobby Clark.
Looking to build on their two-goal lead, Liverpool received a setback after Yusifu Ceesay's shot from distance was spilled by Hewitson, enabling the lurking Ethan Freemantle to sweep home at the far post. Matters were made worse for the Reds when Jonas went down injured inside the penalty area, unable to continue, and was replaced by Jarell Quansah.
It didn't take long for the England Under-19 European Championship winner to make his mark after being deployed from the bench, throwing his body on the line to prevent Harriers testing the resolve of Hewitson.
As proceedings drew to a close, Liverpool went in search of a third goal as Cannonier attempted to pick out O'Rourke at the back post to no avail. Into the first minute of additional time, however, O'Rourke turned provider as his shot was saved by Jamie Emery, falling into the path of Cannonier to poke home from point-blank range.
LFC U21s XI: Hewitson, Stephenson, Norris, Jonas (Quansah 55’), Chambers, Clarkson (Woltman 59’), Bearne (Corness 46'), Clark (Blair 46'), Stewart (O'Rourke 46'), Cain, Musialowski (Cannonier 46')
Unused subs: Morana.
Attendance: 2,888 (462).
Goals: Freemantle; Cain, Clarkson, Cannonier.
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