The B Team got back into action with a training-ground game at Liverpool as the Youth Team picked up where they left off with a winning start to 2025.
A first game since Christmas for the B Team saw Andy Taylor’s side lose 1-0 to a strong Liverpool U21 group at their Academy headquarters in Kirkby. The young Whites made it a competitive affair in a game won by the Reds with a 70th-minute strike.
Midfielder Sonny Sharples-Ahmed gained valuable game time after his recent involvement on the bench at first-team level, while striker Conor Carty was also able to build up his minutes following his return from a long-term injury.
“It was a really useful exercise for us at a fantastic facility and a good test against that kind of side,” said B Team boss Taylor.
“It was good for the boys to get a game again after a two or three weeks' training and great for Sonny (above) to play the full 90 minutes. That will do him good and Conor also played for about 70 minutes which will really help him as he gets back up to speed.”
The next Central League game for the B Team sees them entertain Wrexham on Tuesday, 21st January (KO 1pm).
The fixture at Huddersfield Town postponed last month due to a motorway closure has been re-arranged for Tuesday, 4th March (KO 1pm), while Wanderers will now entertain Derby County on Tuesday, 11th March and end their league campaign at Chesterfield on Tuesday, 1st April (KO 1pm).
Meanwhile, Taylor’s team has been drawn at home to Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup and will host Rovers on Tuesday, 18th February (KO 1pm).
The Youth Team, missing a number of players on B Team duty, booked their place in the semi-finals of the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup with a 4-2 over Preston.
Goals from Corey Thomas, Latrell Lewis, Daeshon Lawrence and Jack Mawditt at Lostock on Saturday saw the Whites set up a last-four meeting with Blackburn Rovers, who beat Wanderers in last season’s final.
The win keeps Julian Darby’s side competing on several fronts, as they currently top the EFL Youth Alliance (North) and are also into the last eight of the Professional Development League Cup.
The Whites face a long trip to face Colchester United in the quarter-finals, while Wanderers’ U17s have reached the last-16 in their age group and after topping their qualification group have been drawn away to Watford.
B Team fixtures:
Tuesday 21 Jan: Wrexham H (1pm) - Central League
Tuesday 18 Feb: Blackburn Rovers H (1pm) - Lancs FA Senior Cup
Tuesday 25 Feb: Salford City H (1pm) - Central League
Tuesday 04 Mar: Huddersfield Town A (1pm) - Central League
Tuesday 11 Mar: Derby County H (1pm) - Central League
Tuesday 25 Mar: Preston North End A (2pm) - Central League
Tuesday 1 Aprl: Chesterfield A (1pm) - Central League