By Connor Armstrong
SUMMARY
Charlie Gilmour scored three penalties and assisted another goal as our under-18s ran out 4-1 winners against Liverpool at London Colney on Saturday.
The Scottish youth international went the same way - to the goalkeeper’s left - for all three penalties, and scored his first after a Liverpool player was adjudged to have handled a Jordi Osei-Tutu cross.
The visitors pulled level before the interval with a penalty of their own, with Adam Lewis sending Alex Crean the wrong way after being fouled by Xavier Amaechi.
Amaechi was then felled in the area in the second half, enabling Gilmour to score again, before Tyreece John-Jules latched onto a searching ball from the midfielder before finishing.
John-Jules was then brought to ground by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, with Gilmour completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
SETTING THE SCENE
Kwame Ampadu started with Crean in goal, with a back four of Osei-Tutu, Daniel Ballard, Tobi Omole and Tolaji Bola in front of him.
Gilmour - who captained the side - was paired up with Josh Benson in central midfield.
Emile Smith-Rowe started on the right flank, with Amaechi on the left.
John-Jules spearheaded our attack, with Robbie Burton in behind.
FIRST HALF
Our under-18s looked to make early headway at London Colney and were given a helping hand when a visiting defender handled Osei-Tutu’s low cross.
Gilmour duly dispatched the spot kick with a low, hard strike that was beyond the reach of Kelleher, even if he guessed the right way.
Ampadu’s side were unable to hold their lead at the interval, however, with Lewis picking himself up after being fouled by Amaechi, and sending Crean the wrong way with a penalty of his own.
SECOND HALF
Having been fouled himself during the first half, Amaechi was then brought down to enable Gilmour to add a second goal to his tally for the afternoon.
John-Jules then added a third goal by racing onto a lofted through ball from Gilmour before holding his nerve and tucking the ball inside the far post.
John-Jules was instrumental in the game’s final goal too, with his powerful run ending in Kelleher bringing him to ground and enabling Gilmour to complete his hat-trick with another controlled penalty to the left of the goalkeeper.
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