Reds Score Stunning Late Winner

Liverpool U18s came from behind to win 4-2 against Stoke U18s, thanks to a stunning injury-time winner from forward Josh Sonni-Lambie.

Liverpool U18s 4-2 Stoke City U18s

U18 Premier League (12), Kirkby Academy
January 10, 2025

Goals: Bradshaw 64′ 90+6′, Martin 81′, Sonni-Lambie 90+1′; Giani 28′ 40′

Coach Simon Wiles was forced to field a makeshift backline, with goalkeeper DJ Bernard making his under-18 league debut in the absence of the injured Bailey Hall.

With Prince Cisse missing, DJ Esdaille, who is a right-back by trade and made his return from a long-term injury in Liverpool’s FA Youth Cup defeat against Charlton before Christmas, played at centre-half alongside Lucas Clarke.

As he has done for much of the season, Alvin Ayman filled in at left-back while Lenix Conde played on the other side of the defence.

In midfield, Haydn Murray-Holme and Joe Upton lined up behind Joe Bradshaw, Josh Sonni-Lambie and La’more Lee Forrester, as Finn Inglethorpe led the line.

The Reds’ bench was very inexperienced, with the likes of Ollie O’Connor, Joshua Abe and AJ Yeguo all out injured.

Liverpool still had a strong attack, though, and they showed their quality on occasion in the first half. Thirteen minutes in, captain Upton played an intricate pass into Inglethorpe, who attempted an audacious chip from 25 yards out.

The academy director’s son almost pulled it off, too, as he struck the bar with his effort.

That would be the best of Liverpool’s chances in the first period, however, with the Reds’ defence soon to be put under serious pressure.

Clarke suffered, giving the ball away twice in dangerous positions, only to get away with it on both occasions.

The visitors were not to be deterred, though, as Laurence Giani finished calmly in the box after a great run down the right from the dangerous Sanchez Phillips.

Giani again got on the scoresheet before the break to double Stoke’s lead, but watchers of the under-18 side have become accustomed to comebacks this season, so all hope was not lost.

Half time: Liverpool U18s 0-2 Stoke U18s

Onlookers in Kirkby were right not to throw the towel in at half time.

First, Sonni-Lambie went close as he curled an effort just wide following a well-worked corner.

In the 64th minute, Bradshaw showed his teammate how to finish when he placed the ball into the goalkeeper’s bottom-right corner after being played in by Inglethorpe, who found him with a first-time pass on the turn thanks to some brilliant awareness.

Three minutes later, Wiles made Liverpool’s first changes as 16-year-olds Erik Farkas and Ellis Hickman replaced Murray-Holme and Conde in midfield and at right-back, respectively.

With the game suffering from constant stoppages, the next 13 minutes passed without much incident before Liverpool made another substitution, bringing on Tyler Martin for Lee Forrester.

This meant Bradshaw moved to the left wing to accommodate Martin on the right, and it proved to be a decisive change as the fresh Ormskirk native struck first time, across goal, from the edge of the box to equalise.

With the game heading into injury time, Bernard produced a great save to keep the score level, which allowed the Reds to go on and get the winner.

Josh Sonni-Lambie’s strike to put #LFCU18s ahead ?? pic.twitter.com/7MvVnC2hH5

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 10, 2026

For the third time on the day, Inglethorpe provided the assist as he back-heeled into Sonni-Lambie’s path for the 18-year-old to run on to and volley perfectly from 25 yards out.

The goal left Bradshaw with his hands on his head in disbelief and earned Liverpool U18s their first home league win of the season.

With Stoke throwing everything forward in the final moments, the Reds then notched a fourth on the break as Martin broke down the right and crossed low for Bradshaw to get his second of the afternoon.

Against a physically imposing Stoke side, this was an excellent second-half display from a group of youngsters who have repeatedly shown their fighting spirit this campaign.

Liverpool U18s: Bernard; Conde (Hickman 67′), Esdaille, Clarke, Ayman; Murray-Holme (Farkas 67′), Upton; Bradshaw, Sonni-Lambie, Lee Forrester (Martin 76′); Inglethorpe

Subs not used: Wright, Huth

Next Match: Newcastle U18s (A) – U18 PL – Saturday, January 17, 11am (GMT)