AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool edged out at Doncaster in Jersey Mike's Trophy
Liverpool U21s were edged out 1-0 against Doncaster Rovers in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday night.
A goal from Tommi O’Reilly in first-half stoppage time separated the sides on matchday two of the group stage.
Will Wright went closest for Rob Page’s Reds with an opportunistic long-range attempt that struck the crossbar.
League One outfit Rovers should probably have taken a lead within a minute of kick-off at Club Doncaster Sports Village.
Brandon Hanlan escaped into space in the middle of the penalty area to meet a corner kick but headed the ball wide of the left post.
As Liverpool settled, Josh Sonni-Lambie got off a shot from inside the area that was deflected narrowly wide.
Harvey Davies had to punch away a blast from distance but chances began to dry up as the first half progressed.
One sight for Joe Bradshaw from Oliver O’Connor’s deep cross to the back stick from the right was at too awkward a height for the forward to make his volley threatening.
Just past the half-hour, Doncaster’s Jordan Thomas swiped in a cross off the left flank that suddenly swirled toward goal and nudged the crossbar.
The goalframe was shaking at the other end soon after.
The ball spun loose as Wright challenged for possession and the striker clipped a brilliant first-time effort from almost 30 yards over the ’keeper but onto the bar.
One minute was added at the end of the half and the hosts scored during it.
James Husband bounded along the left and sent in a cross that Owen Bailey fired at goal – Davies reacted well to repel it, only for O’Reilly to tuck home the rebound.
Liverpool were twice foiled by his opposite number, Josh Clarke, early in the second period.
Bradshaw was the first to be denied by the stopper after evading his man, and Wright’s follow-up was blocked too.
Back the other way, Davies had to have his wits about him to get a glove on Robbie Gotts’ hit from a Bailey knockdown.
The Reds continued to push for an equaliser and were desperately close when Wright arced a shot from the left of the box that just fell outside the post.
Those efforts yielded no reward, though, as Doncaster saw it out to take all the points.
Team
Liverpool: Davies, O’Connor, Lucky, Chambers, Ayman, Upton (Trueman, 69), McConnell (P. Farkas, 85), Laffey (Onanuga, 85), Sonni-Lambie (Cisse, 62), Bradshaw, W. Wright.
Unused subs: Spearing, Cowley, M. Wright.
Next up
The U21s are next in action on Saturday October 17, hosting Reading in Premier League 2.
Kick-off at the Kirkby Academy that day will be 2pm BST.