And here is Andy Kelly’s half-time report as Liverpool lead Cardiff by two goals.

Goals from Ben Woodburn and Corey Whelan gave Liverpool a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead in their FA Youth Cup fourth round tie with Cardiff.



Welshman Woodburn struck wonderfully on 17 minutes while Whelan put some distance between the teams on the stroke of half-time.



At a blustery Prenton Park, the conditions played a part in the first goal as a ball from the Liverpool right-back position was held up in the wind, bemusing the Cardiff back line.



Talented 16-year-old Woodburn nipped in, controlled and placed a delightful chip over the advancing Cardiff keeper Luke Wakeman.



Neil Critchley’s Reds had been the better team to that point, able to find space in between the lines and turn in on the Cardiff goal.



Final balls in the box were a problem though, with Herbie Kane’s pull-back on six minutes avoiding everyone in a red shirt.



The same player was well slid in by Paolo Alves after good work by Ovie Ejaria but again the cross on 14 minutes couldn’t find a target.



Kane was again involved just after Liverpool’s goal when he had a chance to extend the advantage when a clearing header fell nicely to him in the box.



The England U17 international pulled the trigger but his right-foot effort was high and not so handsome.



Cardiff had some dangerous moments breaking from midfield, with striker Aiden Chappell-Smith the danger man.



Mark Harris slid him in before the half hour mark and Liverpool were indebted to a Conor Masterson challenge to prevent the leveller.



Woodburn almost had a second for the Reds after a good Kane ball saw him swivel in the box but his shot was blocked.



The subsequent corner left Cardiff breaking in a four on two but enough Liverpool players got back to see off the threat.



Cardiff full-back Rhys Abrebruzzese almost put into his own goal after a good Kris Owens cross from the left and a lovely pass from Brooks Lennon teed up Kane but he seemed torn between another pass and a shot and a great chance was lost.



Finally the second arrived for Liverpool with 45 minutes already up on clock as an Adam Phillips free kick from deep on the right was turned home well by centre back Whelan.





It will be interesting to see if Cardiff gain any advantage from playing into the wind in the second half in a that must be decided tonight with extra time and penalties possible.

