Anthony Godfrey expects players across 7 Elite Academy to take inspiration from his side’s remarkable run to the Final Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup.

The academy’s Player Pathway partners – AFC Liverpool Under-18s – missed out on a spot in the First Round Proper when they lost 2-0 to a talented South Shields side at the Marine Travel Arena on Monday night.

It brought to an end a brilliant series of results in the competition for the Red youngsters, who scored 16 goals in three games – the club’s best-ever run in the FA Youth Cup.

7 Elite Academy Director Godfrey, who manages the AFC Liverpool Under-18s team as part of a sponsorship arrangement – paid tribute to his side’s efforts.

He said: “What these lads have done over the last few months in this competition is really represent the academy in so many good ways. I am so proud of them.

“They’ve set a great example for our younger teams who have been coming to all the games, but also players at our other academies in the United States and Africa.

“Despite the result not going our way tonight, I can’t fault the effort put in. The way they applied themselves was fantastic and we have two remember this is a very young Under-18s team.

“They’ve got the rest of this season to apply they lessons learned in this run, but also next year as well. It has been a team effort from across the academy and AFC Liverpool to give them the belief and enjoy these games.”

AFC Liverpool had a number of opportunities to take the lead during a frantic first half in front of 329 fans at the Marine Travel Arena, but the scoreline remained 0-0 at the break.

South Shields broke the Reds defiance with an opening strike after 15 minutes of the second session, although the hosts continued to create chances to open their account.

And it was the Tyneside youngsters who sealed victory with a second goal 13 minutes from time – despite more heavy pressure from the AFC Liverpool forwards.

Chris Stirrup, AFC Liverpool Chairman, added: “This run in the FA Youth Cup has been a brilliant experience for our club, but also our partnership with 7 Elite Academy.

“The players have shown true determination to reach this stage and we can all be proud of what they’ve achieved. It wasn’t our night tonight, but they stayed in the game until the very end.

“To have over 300 fans here at the Marine Travel Arena has shown the passion there is for grassroots football has here in Liverpool and we are working hard with 7 Elite Academy to continue that support.”