LFC Reserves 0 Newcastle Reserves 0 - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 4 Oct 2004
MAGNIFICENT HARRISON KEEPS TOON AT BAY

Paul Harrison had an outstanding match for Liverpool as he made a series of top drawer saves as the reserves drew 0-0 with Newcastle United, and at the opposite end Tony Caig made two brilliant stops to deny Neil Mellor, writes Steve Hunter.

Hughie McAuley fielded a young side for Liverpool including Neil Mellor, Richie Partridge and Darren Potter while Paul Harrison was given a starting place in goal.

Newcastle also fielded a young side but had experience in the shape of new signing Ronny Johnsen, the former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender.

Darren Potter captained the team for the first time.

The game was played at Kingston Park, home of Newcastle Falcons where England Rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson can be found regularly kicking for goal every other Saturday.

There was a great chance for Newcastle after eight minutes when after a flowing move Charles N'Zogbia blazed over the bar with only Paul Harrison to beat.

Two minutes later Reds keeper Paul Harrison just why he is rated so highly with two fantastic point blank saves. Lewis Guy ran clear and was denied by Harrison then when the loose ball fell to Guy Bates, the keeper somehow picked himself up in time to make another brilliant stop. Then when the ball ran loose again Zak Whitbread headed off the line to deny Guy.

Then Neil Mellor went on a run down the right which ended with his shot being saved by Tony Caig.

Mellor went close after 15 minutes when his header brought a good save out of Caig after an excellent run and cross from David Raven. Seconds later Newcastle gave the ball away and Potter pounced but shot straight at Caig from a good position.

Newcastle had a chance after 25 minutes when N'Zogbia teased Raven down the right, nutmegged him but was denied by another good stop from Harrison.

Mellor had a great chance to score just before half time. He started a good move by holding the ball up, turning Ronny Johnsen and releasing Richie Partridge with a nice ball down the right wing. Partridge was then impeded and took the free-kick himself when his excellent delivery found Mellor whose header cleared the bar.

Then Johnsen came close to scoring in first half stoppage time when he headed over the bar following a well worked free-kick.

Liverpool made a change at half time when Danny Guthrie replaced Richie Partridge.

Just past the hour mark Liverpool had a good chance from a direct free-kick just outside the Newcastle penalty area but Potter curled just the wrong side of the post and wide.

Potter was having an excellent match in midfield for the Reds and after spotting Mellor making a good run played him in with a great chance. The striker did everything right and hit a great shot that was destined for the top corner of the net only to see Caig pull off a brilliant save.

Talking about brilliant saves Harrison then showed his quality again. He made one fantastic point blank save to somehow keep out an effort from Guy then a minute later dived full length to keep out Bates curled effort.

Then a superb run by Mellor took him into the Newcastle area but again Caig was the obstacle making a superb save to palm away his effort.

Straight up the other end Newcastle almost found the elusive goal but Harrison again was the obstacle with another excellent save to keep out Guy.

James Smith then did well defensively for Liverpool when he chased back and made an excellent last ditch tackle to deny Guy after the striker got away from Whitbread.

Liverpool almost won the game in the final five minutes when a solo run through midfield by Potter ended with the skipper shooting just wide.

Newcastle United Reserves: Caig, Brennan, Gate, Johnsen (Cave 60), Ramage, McClen, Smylie, Webster (Howe 62), Bates, Guy, N'Zogbia.

Liverpool Reserves: Harrison, Smith, Raven, Whitbread, O'Donnell, Potter, Partridge (Guthrie 45), Mannix, Mellor, Smyth, Wilkie (Peltier 72). Subs
not used: Luzi, Townley, Platt.

Referee: M R Tilling.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Paul Harrison. An outstanding display from
a goalkeeper who had one of those nights when he would not be beaten.