[lfc-news] Reserves v Forest report - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 1 Sept 2004
REDS DRAW WITH FOREST

Neil Mellor and Richie Partridge made their comebacks from injury for
Liverpool but overall it was a disappointing night for the reserves who
drew 0-0 with 10 man Nottingham Forest, at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground,
writes Steve Hunter.

Forest were reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute when Neil Mellor chased a
loose ball and goalkeeper Ian Deakin handled outside his penalty area. An
inevitable red card was shown.

Despite the advantage Liverpool failed to impose their authority on the
Forest goal and despite the efforts of Mellor and the lively Mark Smyth the
service to the front men was not good enough.

It is a disappointing start to the reserve season from Hughie McAuley's
side. Liverpool finished second last season but so far have lost two games,
drawn one and haven't yet scored a goal.

On the positive side for the Reds, Republic of Ireland Under-21
international winger Richie Partridge made his first appearance for
Liverpool for nine months after returning from a cruciate knee ligament
injury. Considering he has been out for such a while he did well and had
some good moments in the match.

Djimi Traore captained the Liverpool team and with John Welsh on
international duty with England Under-21s David Mannix partnered Igor
Biscan in the centre of midfield.

Rafael Benitez, Pako Ayesteran, Alex Miller and Paco Herrera were all
present at the Racecourse Ground and the Liverpool manager could be seen
taking notes as he assessed the merits of the players on show in the
reserve team.

After surviving an early scare when Sam Mullarkey headed wide from close
range for Forest Liverpool began to get into the game with Richie Partridge
a lively figure. After 14 minutes a weaving run from Jon Otsemobor created
an opening but on his not so favoured left foot fired over the bar.

A minute later Igor Biscan had a great chance when defenders backed off and
space opened up outside the box, but unfortunately his low shot was off target.

Liverpool's best chance in the first half fell on 27 minutes to Neil Mellor
and it was a chance the returning striker would normally put away. A superb
ball from Stephen Warnock released Otsemobor in acres of space down the
right, and from his low cross Mellor miskicked and missed a great chance.

A minute before half time Forest should have took the lead when Patrice
Luzi flapped at a cross and James Perch headed wide when he probably should
have scored.

Liverpool were much more livelier in the second half and their chances of
victory were given a boost when Forest when reduced to 10 men just ahead of
the hour mark. Mellor chased a loose ball and the keeper Ian Deakin handled
outside the area. The inevitable red card came out and substitute keeper
Paddy Gamble came on with striker Sam Litchfield sacrificed.

From the resulting free-kick Stephen Warnock fired a shot just past the
post after seeing his initial effort blocked. Then the lively Mark Smyth
had two openings when he shot just over the top after linking well with
Mellor then he headed over after a good run and cross down the left flank
from Traore.

Forest left back James Perch then had a great chance for 10 man Forest when
he shot just wide from just outside the Reds penalty area then Ross Gardner
curled a shot just past the post.

Liverpool Reserves: Luzi, Otsemobor, Raven, Traore, Biscan, Whitbread,
Partridge (Wilkie 77), Mannix, Mellor, Smyth, Warnock. Subs not used:
O'Donnell, Harrison, Butler, Guthrie.

Nottingham Forest Reserves: Deakin, Hanson, Perch, Gardner, Hurren, Tarka,
Wilmet, Beaumont, Litchfield (Gamble 58), Mullarkey, Hughes (Handbury 85).

Referee: S J Bratt

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Mark Smyth. Worked hard and ran tirelessly
for the team cause, and with a little more luck might have scored the winner.


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