Match by Match Reports

21^st December 1977

2^nd Round – Away at Liverpool

Lost 0-2

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUTH CUP CLASSIC

‘KEEPER JONES EARNS LIVERPOOL THE GLORY

22^nd DECEMBER 1977

BY CHARLES LAMBERT

Liverpool goalkeeper Paul Jones was the star, and winger Jimmy Williams the match-winner, as the Reds beat Everton 1-0 in the F.A. Youth Cup at Anfield last night.

Williams scored the only goal in the 66^th minute, but it was Jones who consistently brought cheers from the crowd with a string of saves throughout the match.

If that suggests some good attacking play by Everton, that was true enough. But both teams could be proud of their efforts. The coaches had hoped for a match which would show off the best in youth football, and they were not disappointed.

Ray Minshull, Everton’s youth development officer, summed it up when he said: “I would rather play like we did and lose than win by playing rubbish.”

Everton could justifiably count themselves unlucky. They produced more shots on target than Liverpool and played with a lot of composure. Some of their attacking moves possessed real class, but there was no way past the unbeatable Jones.

He pulled off one brilliant save to deny centre forward Paul Lewis, who had done everything right – controlled the ball, made space, steadied himself, and picked his spot. Somehow, Jones got there to push the ball round for a corner.

No wonder Lewis flung up his arms in frustration. And it was the same story for Ged Stenson, Stephen McMahon and Lewis again.

Everton did not help themselves by missing three good chances. Pat Heard miscued a shot with only Jones to beat, and Stenson, four yards out, swung at a Joe McBride corner and missed.

Liverpool were not overshadowed for long, and the tricky running of Williams and the battling spirit of Alan Savage saw them have the better of the second half, particularly after they had taken the lead.

They produced enough attacks to give Everton ‘keeper George Tulloch the chance to impress, and his handling of high crosses was always confident.

Tulloch, who has been called up to the Scottish youth squad this season, was off his line like lightening whenever danger threatened. In the 17^th minute he plunged at Gary Evans’ feet, and similar saves followed to foil Mick Halsall, Mick Fagan and Williams. And when Evans drifted through in the 54^th minute, Tulloch went down fast to concede a corner.

The Lodge brothers each got a good view of the other in action, with Paul’s runs on the right side of midfield for Everton frequently bringing him up against brother Robert at left-back for Liverpool. At the end of it all, family honours were just about even.

In the 29^th minute, for example, Colin Russell was racing through the Everton rearguard when he was unceremoniously pulled back by Billy Russell, the Everton full-back. Soon afterwards, Liverpool repaid the compliment when Alan Harper conceded a free kick with a body check on McBride.

The goal that settled it all followed a break by Colin Russell on the left wing. Evans controlled the cross, and as Tulloch came off his line he knocked the ball past the ‘keepers groping finger for Williams to turn it over the line.