7 Elite Academy’s Player Pathway partners – AFC Liverpool Under-18s – have landed a plum tie against Wrexham after beating Curzon Ashton in the FA Youth Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The Liverpool youngsters looked to be cruising at 6-0 after 67 minutes at the Marine Travel Arena, but the visitors fought back in a frantic final 20 minutes to make it 8-4 at the final whistle.

Their reward is a home encounter with highly-rated Wrexham in the Second Qualifying Round of the competition – just a few games away from the First Round Proper.

7 Elite Academy Director, Anthony Godfrey, was proud his player’s efforts against a resilient Curzon outfit.

He said: “It was a great effort from the lads today and they applied themselves really well. Both sides took their time to settle in to the game, but we seemed to get a real foothold halfway through the first half.

“We have some defensive work to do before the next game, and it is positive that the players came up with their own solutions at full time. I am proud of them for that.

“We play Wrexham next and they’ve always had a very strong academy. It’s another home tie, which is great, and we know the opposition will get tougher every round.

“These are the type of games our lads want to be playing in. All we can do is focus on what we do, prepare for a strong opposition and prepare for that night when it comes.”

Captain Joel Skillen got AFC Liverpool off to a positive start with the opening goal on 14 minutes, before Luke Porter doubled the hosts advantage 20 minutes later.

Skillen covered from the penalty spot with five minutes of the first session remaining, before Reece Williams made at 4-0 on the stroke of half time.

Bobby Lynch and Josh Miles handed AFC Liverpool a 6-0 advantage on 67 minutes, before Curzon Ashton hit back with two quick goals.

Luke Porter looked to have settled the home side’s nerves with a goal to make it 7-2 just moments later, but two further Curzon strikes set up a tense end to the game.

Miles, however, delivered his second goal of the afternoon in injury time to ensure an 8-4 win for the Merseyside outfit.

Chris Stirrup, AFC Liverpool Chairman, said: “This was another great occasion for the club and it was great to see so many fans from AFC Liverpool and 7 Elite Academy in the stands.

“It was an illustration of the strong support this club has throughout the grassroots community here in Liverpool.

“The lads performed well against a physical Curzon Ashton side who refused to give up, even at 6-0 down. They should take real credit for that.

“To draw Wrexham in the next round is a great opportunity for the club. We have seen the players make great progress so far this season and this will be another huge test for them.”