Liverpool make last four

Liverpool         4-2         Bolton Wanderers

The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
Anfield, Liverpool FC
Friday 27 February 2009

Liverpool kept their Youth Cup campaign well and truly alive on Friday as they advanced to the Semi Final following a thrilling 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Hughie McAuley's exciting young side will now meet Ipswich Town, Watford or Birmingham City for a place in possibly their third Final in four years.

Steven Gerrard and co. were knocked out of The FA Cup by bitter rivals Everton, but Steven Irwin made sure the Under-18 side continued on their trophy trail. The youngster was the star of the show and banged in two goals to seal his side's progress to the last four.

Nathan Ecclestone and David Amoo were also on the scoresheet but the hosts did not have it all their own way.

Daniel Ward's sensational volley stunned Anfield after 16 minutes - it was a strike worthy of winning any match but sadly for Wanderers, his strike only served to stir Liverpool.

After testing Tom Brocklehurst with a few long range drives, the hosts equalised through Eccleston thanks to a cool finish on 25 minutes. Amoo powered home another on the half hour mark - following on from his winner against Chelsea in the previous round - and when Irwin headed his side 3-1 up three minutes before the break, Liverpool looked home and hosed.

But Bolton were handed a lifeline when Joe Kennedy brought down Michael O'Halloran in the penalty area on 52 minutes and skipper Chris Stokes lashed home the penalty as the hosts' nerves began to jangle.

But 12 minutes from time, the marvellous Irwin struck to kill off Bolton's challenge and keep Liverpool on track.

And McAuley was glad to see his side reach the last four, but admitted that Bolton made it a tough night for the Reds.

"We are pleased to reach the Semi-Finals but it was pretty nervy at times and we had to work hard for our victory,"

"I thought we started the game brightly but they took the lead against the run of play with an excellent goal.

"We came right back into it and scored three very good goals before half-time and looked very comfortable.

"They got back into it at 3-2 and then controlled the game for a longer period than what we would have liked, but Dean made a great save to keep us in the game."

He added: "Stevie then scored an excellent goal to give us the win but credit to Bolton who played well and worked hard."

The Teams

Liverpool
Dean Bouzanis, Steven Irwin, Christopher Buchtmann, Andre Wisdom, Joe Kennedy, Tom Ince, David Amoo, Adam Pepper, Lauri Dalla Valle, Nathan Eccleston, Alex Kacaniklic.
Subs not used Michael Roberts, Deale Chamberlain, Jack Robinson, Karl Clair, Conor Coady.

Goals
Ecclestone 25, Amoo 30, Irwin 42, 78

Bolton Wanderers
Tom Brocklehurst, Joseph Riley, Matthew Carlisle, Rhys Bennett, Chris Stokes (George Pawley 80), Grant Spencer (Stuart McDonald 46), Maison McGeechan (Tom Eckersley 83), Adam Blakeman, Daniel Ward, Aaron Mooy, Michael O'Halloran.
Subs not used: Jay Lynch, Javlon Campbell.

Goals
Ward 16, Stokes (pen) 52