HEIGHWAY: THEY LOVE EACH OTHER

Jimmy Rice 16 February 2007 Steve Heighway claims "awesome team spirit" could lead Liverpool to their second successive FA Youth Cup after Thursday night's quarter-final victory over Sheffield United.

The Academy boss was delighted with the way his side came from behind to win 3-1 to set up a semi-final clash with Newcastle. "We're absolutely thrilled. Sometimes you think your luck might not be in, but we're through again," said Heighway. "We can still do better because it is still taking us too long to impose our style on the game. There were moments when I thought we could have showed a bit more class and maybe got a fourth or a fifth. "But it's cup tie football and there's always going to be anxiety. "Team spirit amongst these boys is awesome. I signed nine of that starting 11 nine years ago. They love each other these kids – though they don't like me much! "We've seen Newcastle twice. They're a football team with some good players, but you don't win anything without playing tough games." Ryan Flynn, Ray Putterill and Stephen Darby bagged the goals which secured a place in the two-leg semis. Heighway went on: "We've been having a laugh all week because I've been telling Stephen Darby he was going to score – that's why the lads were like they were after we scored. "I thought the two centre-backs were magnificent, Jay and Robbie. Jay is a giant – six foot five, or is that five foot six? "Anyway, a lot of people don't realise he's an awesome player. I thought the whole back four did well and I thought Ray Putterill was tremendous going down the left. "Ray has always had ability – he's just had a tough time with injuries over the last year. He's starting to show what he can do now. I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch – but don't tell Ray that!" After being told he'd won liverpoolfc.tv's man of the match, Putterill said: "I thought we did well. They were a good team, very physical, so we've done well. I had faith in our lads because we've been together for ages, so I knew we'd come back. "I cut inside a few times and had a few shots. Unfortunately it didn't come off, but I kept going, got my chance and took it. "It was a good goal, good build up play. There were a good few passes before. I cut inside, took my player on and tucked it in the top corner – I just whacked it! "We can do it again. I have belief. We've got a great bunch of lads who've been together since we were nine, so we really work for each other." No date has been set for Liverpool's semi. In the other half of the draw, Arsenal play Cardiff in the quarter-final, while Manchester United take on Birmingham.