Liverpool U18s earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Stoke City in the U18 Premier League North on Tuesday afternoon.
Oakley Cannonier's second-half goal secured the three points for the young Reds after a battling display at Clayton Wood.*
James McConnell marked his full debut at the level with a superb 12th-minute volley to give Liverpool the lead, before Stoke equalised four minutes later through Tom Nixon.
A scrappy first 10 minutes was followed up with a piece of brilliance that produced the opener.*
Stoke attempted to clear the danger in the aftermath of a Cannonier shot that had been saved. But that clearance went straight to McConnell on the edge of the box, with the No.7 thrashing a first-time effort into the bottom corner.*
But Stoke's response was quick and clinical as Nixon headed in beyond Reds stopper Fabian Mrozek from an in-swinging free-kick.* *
In the closing moments of the first half, Mrozek was on hand to ensure the game entered half-time at 1-1 by strongly pushing away a goal-bound effort from Stoke forward Andre Godfrinne.
Mrozek then kept out Emre Tezgel’s long-range strike early on in the second period as Stoke enjoyed a strong spell.*
But as snow flurries began, Liverpool took charge of the contest.*
Mateusz Musialowski was denied by Stoke goalkeeper Paul Cooper inside the penalty area, though the visitors did manage to retake the lead moments later.*
Musialowski turned supplier on this occasion, allowing Cannonier to run through on goal with a perfectly-executed through ball. The striker slid to meet the pass and fired the ball into the back of the net in minute 66.*
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side defended valiantly to keep hold of the points and were unfortunate to not net a third goal as Isaac Mabaya was thwarted by the 'keeper following a rapid counter-attack.*
Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Wilson, Quansah, Miles, Norris, Corness, McConnell (Frauendorf, 61), Mabaya, Cannonier, Woltman, Musialowski.
Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Jonas, Pilling.



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