Match Reports PNE U18 3 Morecambe U18 0 please log in to view this image Tyrhys Dolan and Jack Baxter scored their sixth goals of the season, while Brian McManus notched his first for the youth team, as North End’s youngsters saw off Morecambe 3-0. Dolan headed in two minutes before the end of a quiet opening half, but McManus and Baxter scored inside three second half minutes to add some deserved gloss to the scoreline for a controlling second half display. There were three changes to the side which took on Blackpool from last time out. Lewis Coulton was handed a youth team debut at left back, replacing Charlie Lyons, who has joined Longridge Town on work experience, with James Cottam and Darren Brannigan returning in goal and attack respectively. The young Lilywhites would have the larger share of possession throughout, although that looked as though it may suit Morecambe judging by the opening moments, with a couple of incisive passes behind the hosts’ backline from Kaleb Young just astray of their intended targets. Josh Pollard was first to try his luck for North End, striking a loose ball over from 20 yards, while Henry Dorward went one better at the other end by hitting the target, but without troubling Cottam. And both sides were largely restricted to long shots in a frustrating first half, although PNE had a great chance to take the lead just ten minutes in, as Jerome Jolly crossed to the far post for Louis Potts, who hooked his volley into the side netting. Baxter curled a free-kick wide moments later and Lewis Earl did well to force Young’s run out of play at the other end. please log in to view this image Almost half an hour passed before the Lilywhites tested opposition ‘keeper Ollie Jumeau, although Dolan’s long-range drive was comfortably straight at him. And with Earl only required to block Amilcar Codjovi’s strike in terms of efforts at goal, the half looked to be petering to a close until Dolan popped up in the 43rd minute. His goal came after Baxter swung in a free-kick from deep on the left channel, Brannigan managing to scoop it goalwards and Jumeau could only parry as far as Dolan who duly headed home. North End looked more in control in the second half, dealing well with Morecambe’s threat as they were forced out slightly more, a couple of PNE’s half chances falling to Potts and Jolly, neither of whom could get the ball from under their feet to test Jumeau. Brian McManus and Joe Rodwell-Grant were brought on just after the hour, the former making an almost immediate impact. Indeed, McManus made it two in the 66th minute, Jolly sliding him through with only Jumeau to beat, the Irishman applying a cool side foot finish with his right foot. And the hosts had another in the 69th minute as Dolan found Baxter in the box with his back to goal, but he managed to weave past a few defenders and tuck inside the bottom corner right-footed. Aaron Bennet and Tyler Williams joined the fray either side of Rodwell-Grant forcing Jumeau into a strong near post save with PNE cruising, but Morecambe might’ve denied North End their clean sheet in the dying moments. The forward rounded Cottam but his run was too wide, with Coulton getting back to clear the cross, making sure of a defensive shutout and convincing victory to boot. Academy manager Nick Harrison was pleased with his side’s response to their loss against Blackpool from last time out. “Last Saturday, I felt we performed well enough to get a positive result with the amount of chances we had,” Nick told PNE.Com. “What’s pleasing today was that we’ve defended much better, kept a clean sheet and taken our chances. “We can again say that we could’ve scored more and if we were a little bit more clinical, the scoreline would’ve been much higher. “It’s really pleasing to get the clean sheet, we’re really pleased with the performance and it’s good to get the win.” With U16s Lewis Coulton and Joe Rodwell-Grant and U15 midfielder Aaron Bennet all involved, Harrison felt this game was the right time both to hand those promising youngsters a chance, while also taking some of the scholars out of the action, following an intense few weeks’ action. “A lot of our lads have done a lot in the last month or so in terms of games and training, so we felt it was the right time to take one or two out of this game by not finishing the 90 minutes. “We’ve got an excellent group of players coming up behind, from our U14s upwards, who are more than capable of making that transition from schoolboy football to this kind of football. “We want to make sure there’s always a pathway for them and we thought this was the right game to do that and it was really pleasing for the three young lads who all contributed in the game. Nick concluded by speaking of the three different players on the scoresheet for North End. “We’re delighted with all the goalscorers today and we want to continue that – the chances that we are creating, we do need to be even more clinical and finish teams off by scoring even more goals. “It’s brilliant for him [Brian McManus] to score the goal and contribute that way, he just needs to do that more now – he needs to be an all round midfielder where he dominates without the ball but also from an attacking threat as well. “Likewise, it’s always good for Jack Baxter to get a goal; he’s capable of that from free-kicks and open play.” PNE line-up: Cottam; Simmons, Earl, Armer, Coulton; Pollard, Baxter (Bennett, 71); Jolly, Dolan (Williams, 81), Potts (McManus, 63); Brannigan (Rodwell-Grant, 63). Subs not used: Corcoran.
PNE U18 2 Charlton Athletic U18 2 (PNE Win 3-1 On Penalties) please log in to view this image Jimmy Corcoran was the youth team’s shootout hero as North End youngsters progressed to the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Deepdale after 120 minutes. Jack Baxter and Ethan Walker scored in a penalty-dominated contest at Deepdale, with four spot kicks awarded in total. The former tucked home inside the opening five minutes but had a second spot kick saved on the stroke of half-time, moments after Kareem Isiaka equalised from 12 yards at the other end. Walker took over spot kick duties ten minutes into the second half to give PNE the lead once more, Euan Williams cancelling that effort out with a strike of his own 15 minutes from time, before Corcoran saved two and Charlton saw another effort hit the crossbar for the hosts to win the shootout. Nick Harrison made four changes to the side which defeated Morecambe ten days previously, Lincoln McFayden and Ethan Walker returning in defence and attack respectively, while Irish pair Jimmy Corcoran and Adam O’Reilly were also back in the side. O’Reilly had barely led his side onto the pitch as captain before his compatriot was called into action. Corcoran made two fine saves in quick succession, diverting Charlie Barker’s header behind for a corner before denying James Gody from the subsequent delivery. However, North End looked just as dangerous in attack at the other end as Walker twisted his marker inside out drifting inside from the left to earn the first of four penalties, and Baxter’s effort nestled right inside the bottom right corner. The hosts could have doubled their lead five minutes later with Walker again carrying the threat on the left, Louis Potts backheeling his low cross in Tyrhys Dolan’s direction, who fired against the post from close range. Charlton’s early intensity did not diminish, though nor did Corcoran’s goalkeeping prowess; the Irishman rushing off his line to send Isiaka wide, having been sent into the box from Terell Agyemang’s pass, Richard Chin then firing the loose ball over. The Lilywhites cooled down after a high tempo opening in the wintery Deepdale conditions, Potts almost sent through by O’Reilly midway through the half but unable to burst past the last line of defence, Baxter unleashing straight at ‘keeper Joe Osaghae shortly after. Charlton went close ten minutes before the break when Tyrone Kirunda turned James Vennings’ free-kick just around the post, but five minutes later, they did grab an equaliser. Isiakia was adjuged to have been fouled in the box in the 40th minute and the striker stepped up himself to level matters. North End had a chance to immediately restore their advantage when Walker was felled in the box by Freddy Barton for a second time, but Baxter was the time to equal to Baxter’s effort as he looked for the same bottom right corner. But PNE were not dispirited and came out strongly in the second half, with a succession of corners preceding a fourth penalty of the match being awarded in the home side’s favour. It was another exquisite piece of control by Potts, met by Jolly racing through who was brought down as the referee again pointed to the spot. Walker this time took hold of the ball and dispatched confidently into the top left corner. Walker almost created another minutes thereafter with a sensational run through the centre, although his pass wide right for Potts was overhit. The visitors fluffed a chance to equalise before the hour as Gody dragged wide of Corcoran’s bottom corner one-on-one, and Lewis Earl threw himself in front of a Barker effort soon after. Charlton grew back into the contest 20 minutes from the end with PNE having dominated much of the second half up to that point, McFayden making a brilliant interception to prevent Isiaka from testing Corcoran from point blank distance. Lewis Simmons made another brilliant block from Kirunda’s drive while Jolly headed wide at the other end, although Charlton did equalise for a second time in the 75th minute. Williams profited from a cross in from the right, his first touch falling kindly for him to fire in from a few yards out. There were chances for both sides to win it in the dying moments as Walker was denied by Osaghae from a tight angle, and Simmons cleared off the line for PNE deep into stoppage time. An extra half hour was therefore in order with Williams and substitute Richard Afrane-Kasey off target as O’Reilly forced a save from Osaghae at the other end. Isiaka hooked over Barton’s cross and Pollard had a shot turned over for a corner from the angle, Walker also racing through late on while Tyler Williams made a heroic late block from Williams’ strike, but a shootout was ultimately forced to separate the sides. Armer, O’Reilly and Armer converted for PNE in the shootout, Baxter striking his effort wide, but Corcoran saved from Albon and Williams, before Afrane-Kesey struck the bar, to ensure victory for North End. PNE line-up: Corcoran, Simmons (Pollard, 93), McFayden, Baxter, Earl, (Williams, 80), Armer, Jolly, O’Reilly, Potts ( Brannigan, 64), Dolan (McManus, 117), Walker. Subs not used: Cottam. Charlton Athletic line-up: Osaghae, Barton, Aidoo, Vennings, Barker, Kirunda (Keefe, 87), Agyemang (Godding, 54), Chin (Afrane-Kasey, 71), Isiaka, Williams, Gody (Albon, 103). Subs not used: Harvey. Attendance: 530 Referee: Mr D Baines
Has had his nose put out of joint at Burnley due to signing of Joe Hart. Didn't he have a bad injury last season?
Accrington Stanley U18 1 PNE U18 3 please log in to view this image Louis Potts, Jerome Jolly and Tyrhys Dolan found the net to help the youth team make a winning start to 2019 with a 3-1 success over Accrington Stanley. Having gone behind to Johnjo Morris’ early strike, Potts equalised immediately before his team-mates scored in quick succession just after the half hour mark, allowing North End to finish the contest well and truly in control. Jack Baxter and Ethan Walker returned to the starting line-up, having been heavily involved in the first team picture in recent weeks. Dolan, James Cottam and Lewis Coulton made up five changes from the last game against Port Vale, three weeks previously. But PNE started off the pace, as Accrington – officially the home side for this fixture, despite playing at North End’s usual home venue of UCLan Sports Arena – took a fourth minute lead. North End attempted to clear a cross in from the left but when that deflected back to Morris, lurking just inside the box, he arrowed a fierce left-footed strike into the bottom right corner. However, the Lilywhites responded immediately as Baxter’s raking pass allowed Walker to race to the left byline and cross invitingly for Potts, who converted for a fifth-minute equaliser. With the slow start firmly behind them, PNE soon began to dominate this all-Lancashire affair, Potts proving a bright spark up front, misdirecting a header from Lewis Simmons’ cross, before picking up Joe Nolan’s pass only to see his near post effort saved by Stanley goalkeeper, Toby Savin. Walker shot straight at goal from 20 yards following some patient build-up and he then played Jolly into the box, who laid it off for Potts to have another low attempt blocked by Savin. But North End’s second did arrive in the 32nd minute. Walker claimed his second assist of the day by threading a wonderful pass through for Jolly, who took a touch wide before finishing coolly across goal and into the bottom right corner. And no sooner after they had taken the lead, the Lilywhites had another. It was a 34th-minute effort of Dolan’s own making, his alertness around the box rewarded as he stole possession following a short goal kick and finished powerfully beyond Savin. Potts and Savin continued something of an individual duel, the Accrington stopper again managing to deny the PNE man after he’d taken on Simmons’ magnificent ball over the defence. please log in to view this image The Lilywhites continued in the same vein after the break, Baxter having a thunderous effort blocked and Walker curling a first-time effort over within minutes of the restart, Dolan also going close when he nodded wide the latter’s wide left free-kick. Potts had the beating of Savin just before the hour but his shot was cleared off the line, although the opposition ‘keeper did save well from Dolan and Walker soon after. Dolan almost capitalised on another loose ball at the back but Savin again saved his shot, and a heroic block denied substitute Josh Pollard following in. North End might have extended their lead late on when Savin dived to save a Lincoln McFayden header and Baxter’s curler just cleared the bar, but their victory had never looked in doubt as they kicked off 2019 with three points. Academy manager Nick Harrison was satisfied with all aspects of his side’s display. “Overall, I’m really pleased; pleased with the performance and the result,” Nick told PNE.Com. “After conceding in the first three or four minutes, to get the equaliser straightaway was a great reaction. “We had lots of chances in the game, we saw lots of the ball which was because of the way Accrington played; they sat off us and allowed us to do that. It’s difficult to break down when teams get ten or eleven men behind the ball. “We did that well enough in the first half, it could’ve been better in the second half in terms of that final decision or quality in the box, but it’s pleasing to see the boys try to play the right way and try to get into good positions. “It would’ve been brilliant to win it by more, but ultimately for the boys, they’ve won the game which they should be pleased with and it’s three points.” Harrison also commended the attitude of Baxter and Walker, the duo back in the youth team’s starting line-up for the first time in over a month. “We saw in this game, for Ethan and Jack, it’s another game of football to come up against an opposition that are trying to stop them and they’ve got to work out how to try do that by creating chances and scoring goals. “I thought both of them showed a great attitude to come back from the first team environment and play in an U18 game. It’s good to see what they’ve achieved and good to have them back, but hopefully they will get more experiences like that as the season goes on.” The youth team will come up against Accrington Stanley again in midweek for the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup semi-final and Harrison hopes his players can put in a similar display. “It’s a semi final of a cup competition so it’s going to be a big game for them, it’s a big game for us so I think it will be completely different. “It will probably be similar kinds of players on the pitch but there’s probably a bit more to it because Accrington will want to get through to the final and we want to get through to the final. What we want to see on Tuesday is, again, a good performance and a positive result.” PNE line-up: Cottam; Simmons, Earl, McFayden, Coulton; Nolan (Pollard, 63), Baxter; Jolly (McManus, 71), Dolan, Walker; Potts (Rodwell-Grant). Subs not used: Williams, Corcoran.
Preston North End U18s 3 Norwich City U18s 0 please log in to view this image Goals from Adam O’Reilly, Lewis Earl and Louis Potts put Preston North End into the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a convincing victory over Norwich City at a snowy Deepdale. Captain O’Reilly opening the scoring just after the hour mark from the edge of the box, after a pull back from Potts and then Earl converted with a close range header from Tyrhys Dolan’s corner just before half-time. After weathering the storm, both figuratively and literally, in driving snow, after the interval, they made the game safe 20 minutes from time when Potts poked home from eight yards out; the referee giving the goal after an assistant had initially signalled for an offside. A fourth goal was incorrectly ruled out, despite O’Reilly’s close range finish from substitute Jerome Jolly’s cross being cleared when already almost a yard over the line, but nonetheless it was an excellent team display from the young Lilywhites, who set up a tie against Ryan Kidd’s Bury in the next round at Deepdale. The Academy had started the game brightly and Ethan Walker looked dangerous once again, carving space on the left just three minutes in, his ball across narrowly missing Dolan when begging for someone to finish at the back post. The youngest ever league player to play a senior game for the club was heavily involved in the first half an hour and his 40-yard free kick bounced dangerously in the box, before flashing just wide of the right hand upright. But Nick Harrison’s men deservedly went ahead on 34 minutes. Potts drove down the right and looked to have taken the ball too far, put he pulled it back from the byline and O’Reilly calmly stroked the ball into the net past Canaries stopped Daniel Barden from the edge of the penalty area. And the lead was doubled two minutes before half-time. Dolan had shown quick feet to win a corner on the right-hand side and delivered a superb cross to the back post and Earl - the younger brother of first team left back Josh – timed his run perfectly and headed calmly home from five yards out. The snow had been falling softly in the first half, but the second period began in a blizzard, with the pitch covered in a layer of white as a frenetic opening 20 minutes began. In this period the visitors had the best of their chances – striker Adam Idah, a former school and team-mate of North End’s O’Reilly back in Ireland – twice went close after finding space in the box, but on both occasions he was unable to test Jimmy Corcoran in goal for PNE. But with 20 minutes left the game was all but over as an excellent move saw Dolan do well down the right, deliver into the box, the ball being recycled on the left by 15-year-old left back Lewis Coulton, who found Jolly – on for Walker – in the Town End penalty area. Jolly was then tackled by Norwich skipper Lomas that took the ball into the path of Potts, who poked the ball past Barden. Initially the assistant on the Sir Tom Finney Stand side’s flag went up and the goal seemed to have been disallowed, but Merseyside referee Mr Copeland was much closer to the action and saw that the ball had come off a City foot to play in the North End No.9 and the goal was given. If this was an excellent piece of officiating by the match official; four minutes later came something more questionable. This time Jolly raced down the left, beating Ethen Vaughan convingly before delivering a perfect ball into the six-yard box, where O’Reilly timed his run brilliantly and slid the ball into the net. Andrew Omobamidele slid back and scooped the ball away, but it was clear at the time from the marks in the snow just how far the ball was over the line, however, the assistant was not up with play and did not signal for the goal and somehow it was not awarded. The closing minutes were then easily played out by the home side, with the yellows unable to force Corcoran into any meaningful action and the game ended 3-0, with the Lilywhites – in front of all the first team coaching staff and much of the first team squad – deservedly booking their place in the last 16 and a clash with their Youth Alliance North West Conference rivals from Greater Manchester. PNE line-up: Corcoran, Simmons, Coulton, Baxter, Earl, McFayden, Dolan, O’Reilly (c), Potts, Pollard, Walker (Jolly, 55). Subs not used: Williams, Cottam, Nolan, Brannigan. Norwich City line-up: Barden, Vaughan, Ahmadi, Omobamidele, Lomas (c), Dronfield, Hondermarck (Omotoye, 63), Milovanovic, Idah, Thorvaldsson, Olopade (Giurgi, 80). Subs not used: Berkeley, Blair, Richardson. Attendance: 620 Referee: Mr S Copeland
