Liverpool Reserves 4 West Brom Reserves 1 - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 30 Sept 2004
MELLOR VAN BASTEN LEADS REDS TO VICTORY

A Marco Van Basten style volleyed goal from Neil Mellor was the highlight
of Liverpool Reserves 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in what was an
outstanding display from Hughie McAuley's side, writes Steve Hunter.

Mellor's stunning goal came 10 minutes from time when he met Robbie Foy's
corner at the back post first time and struck an unstoppable volley into
the back of the net. After the match the Liverpool players were calling
Mellor Van Basten, in reference to the Dutch legend magnificent volleyed
goal in the 1992 European Championship final against the USSR.

The only disappointment was there were not many fans present at Wrexham's
Racecourse Ground to see it.

Mellor scored two goals and was sharp all night as he took his tally to
four goals in three appearances this season, and was unlucky not to get a
hat-trick. Darren Potter capped a superb personal display to score a great
goal and Robbie Foy, enjoying his best game in a red shirt to date on the
left wing, scored a superb individual goal.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Stephane Henchoz and Chris Kirkland all played the
90 minutes with the goalkeeper having a superb match.

Liverpool had to come behind from a goal down to win the game against a
West Brom side who fielded right back Cosmin Contra, the man who had a
great match for Alaves against Liverpool in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final. Contra
had a mixed match, almost scored what would have been a great goal and was
also booked.

Eight players in the Liverpool starting line-up were products of the
Academy and they all did very well.

Captain John Welsh and Darren Potter controlled the midfield and worked so
hard all night. Their quick and decisive passing was a real highlight in
the match with Potter's range of passing superb.

Liverpool came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when a
great pass from Welsh released the lively Richie Partridge down the right
wing. His cross found Robbie Foy whose dipping drive just cleared the bar.

An experienced Albion side also had their chances and Chris Kirkland made a
superb point blank save to keep out Artim Sakiri in the 10th minute.

Mellor had his first sight of goal five minutes later when he turned
two defenders with a nice piece of skill only to see his left footed strike
well saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Liverpool number nine was a real handful when crosses came into the
Albion penalty area and three times he went close from headers, one
drifting just wide.

Scott Dobie had a goal disallowed for the away side after 22 minutes before
Sakiri saw Kirkland pull off another excellent save to keep out his long
range low drive.

The Baggies started the second half the strongest and after Kirkland made
another excellent save to deny former Manchester United defender Ronnie
Wallwork, they took the lead after 58 minutes. A sloppy pass from Danny
O'Donnell gave the ball straight to Dobie and after the striker played in
Rob Evans the left winger finished well with an angled finish beyond the
reach of Kirkland into the net. It was a shame the error came from
O'Donnell as the Academy defender had a very good match making some good
interceptions. He is a good shouter too.

Conceding the goal sprung Liverpool into action and inspired by Potter and
Welsh got back into the match. Sinama-Pongolle was denied by a smart save
by Kuszczak from close range although the striker should have scored,
before the keeper made an even better save from a superb dipping effort
from Welsh.

Foy was then denied a goal after excellent link play between him and
Mellor, before Darren Potter equalised with a great strike after 65
minutes. After a good move Sinama-Pongolle did well down the right and
found Potter who smashed an unstoppable shot into the net for 1-1.

Cosmin Contra then went close for the Baggies with a shot that just cleared
the bar and also had a penalty appeal turned down. Then Sakiri curled a
free-kick just wide and Kirkland saved well at close range from Dobie.

Liverpool then went 2-1 up after 81 minutes through a fantastic goal from
Mellor, volleying home an unstoppable shot from Robbie Foy's left wing corner.

Mellor then tried his luck with another stinging drive that went wide
before Robbie Foy made it 3-1 with a superb goal. A superb pass from Potter
released Partridge down the right whose cross found Foy at the back post.
The Scotland Under-21 international then cut inside a couple of defenders
before curling the ball into the net.

Three minutes from time it was 4-1 with another goal from Mellor. Welsh did
superbly to win the ball in midfield and after Foy's through ball Mellor
ran past the defender Sekou Berthe and finished superbly.

Mellor could have had a hat-trick but was denied by a fine stop from Kuszczak.

It was a really good game of football and Liverpool Reserves best display
of the season without a doubt.

Liverpool Reserves: Kirkland, Raven, Whitbread, Henchoz, O'Donnell, Potter,
Partridge, Welsh (Mannix 87), Mellor, Sinama-Pongolle, Foy. Subs unused:
Harrison (GK), Smyth, Wilkie, Peltier.

West Bromwich Albion: Kuszczak, Contra, Dyer, O'Connor, Berthe, Wallwork,
Midworth, Inamoto, Dobie, Sakiri, Evins.

Referee: R L Lewis.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the match: Darren Potter. It was a close call between
Potter and John Welsh but the Republic of Ireland international shades it
because of his goal and some outstanding passing. Mellor also played well
and scored a magnificent goal.