Liverpool Reserves - Partridge scores equaliser as Reds draw 2-2 away to Blackburn

PARTRIDGE EARNS REDS A DRAW
Official Liverpool FC Website Reporter
07 September 2004
Liverpool Reserves ended their scoring drought as they fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Morecambe FC's Christie Park, writes Steve Hunter
Richie Partridge had a really good game for Liverpool and scored the equaliser in the 56th minute when he finished well after a superb pass from Neil Mellor. Mark Smyth had given the Reds the lead in the first half with a superb individual goal before two mistakes from keeper Patrice Luzi saw Blackburn go 2-1 up. One of the goals was an own goal from Luzi, but the fourth choice keeper at Anfield went on to have an erratic night which saw him save a penalty and then nearly gave a comical goal away. Neil Mellor almost won the game in stoppage time for Liverpool but saw his effort cleared off the line. Before this match Liverpool hadn't managed a goal in their opening three matches, losing 1-0 to Manchester City and Middlesbrough respectively followed by a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest. Liverpool were without John Welsh and Darren Potter, both away on international duty with England Under-21s and the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Robbie Foy with Scotland Under-21s, but manager Hughie McAuley still fielded a strong side. Neil Mellor played his second game since returning from knee trouble as did Richie Partridge, and they were joined in the side by captain Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan, Stephen Warnock, Jon Otsemobor and Zak Whitbread. Traore played left back with Whitbread partnering David Ravenat centre half. Blackburn's new caretaker manager Tony Parkes is also in charge of their reserve side and his star name on view was striker Matt Jansen. Alex Bruce, son of Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce, was at centre half while former Liverpool Academy striker Ralph Welch was on the bench for Rovers. Blackburn created the first chance of the game after four minutes when Jonathon Douglas put a free header straight at Patrice Luzi. It was a great opportunity but two minutes later Liverpool had the lead with a brilliant goal from Mark Smyth. Richie Partridge provided the pass and Smyth cut inside from the right, past a couple of defenders and finished superbly. It was a superb individual goal from Smyth. Igor Biscan then tried his luck with an audacious shot from the halfway line which brought a save out of the Blackburn keeper David Yelldell. Liverpool went close after 15 minutes through Stephen Warnock. A flowing move down the right saw Otsemobor and Partridge link superbly. Otsemobor then pulled the ball back to Warnock who shot wide. The Reds second string were playing some good football and Warnock saw an effort saved by Yelldell and a solo run from Partridge ended with a curled effort wide of the goal. Blackburn then went close after 27 minutes when Douglas curled a shot that beat Luzi but came back off the bar. A silly foul given away by Biscan just outside his penalty area resulted in a Blackburn free-kick and the equaliser. Forgotten man at Ewood Park Matt Jansen's effort should really have been saved by Luzi but the Frenchman?s half hearted effort to keep it out saw the ball come off the goalkeeper and into the net. The second half was only four minutes old when Blackburn went 2-1 up but it was a bad mistake from Reds fourth choice keeper Patrice Luzi. Jemal Johnson's effort was blocked by Zak Whitbread who then turned the ball back to Luzi. However the Reds keeper somehow contrived to turn the ball into his own net to give the home side the lead. Johnson went close for Blackburn after 55 minutes when he cut past Traore with ease and fired just wide. Then a minute later Liverpool were level. Neil Mellor the provider with an excellent pass and Richie Partridge firing a superb low drive past Yelldell into the net for 2-2. On 61 minutes Liverpool went close when Mellor burst into the area and saw his effort superbly saved by Yelldell, then the loose ball fell for Biscan who blazed over the bar. It was a bad miss by Biscan but Mellor will be disappointed he didn't put away the first effort. Blackburn had a great chance to regain the lead after 65 minutes when Zak Whitbread sent Johnson tumbling in the area and a penalty was awarded. However Luzi went some way to redeeming himself with a superb save to deny Johnson. With 11 minutes remaining Luzi was fortunate not to concede another goal when he came racing out of his area, headed the ball straight to Matt Jansen who shot just wide. Then with five minutes to go Liverpool came so close when Zak Whitbread headed just wide after a superb cross from Warnock. Blackburn Rovers Reserves: Yelldell, Peers, Morgan, Douglas, Jones, Bruce, Danns, Harkins, Jansen, Johnson (Derbyshire 80), Byrom (Hodge 60). Liverpool Reserves: Luzi, Otsemobor, Traore, Raven, Biscan, Whitbread, Partridge, Mannix, Mellor, Smyth, Warnock. Subs not used: O'Donnell, Harrison, Peltier, Wilkie, Townley. Referee: M Short Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match:Richie Partridge. In only his second game in nine months the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was a lively figure down the right wing for Liverpool.