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

Official LFC Website, 26 Jan 2005
MELLOR ON THE MARK IN RESERVES WIN
Steve Hunter, at Wrexham

Liverpool Reserves turned in their best performance of the season with
an exhibition display of passing as goals from John Welsh and Neil
Mellor helped the Reds to a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.

In an all-round brilliant team display which Liverpool outpassed and
outplayed Birmingham all game midfielder David Mannix stood out and gave
a classy display.

Liverpool Reserve manager Hughie McAuley fielded a young and talented
side with seven Academy graduates who have represented the first team
this season. Indeed the likes of Neil Mellor, Darren Potter, David
Raven, Mark Smyth, Zak Whitbread, John Welsh and Stephen Warnock deserve
great credit for their part in getting Liverpool to the Carling Cup Final.

The sight of the above players celebrating with the travelling Reds fans
at White Hart Lane was one of the most enjoyable moments of the season
so far.

Liverpool played some great one-touch football in the first half and it
was a joy to watch with Darren Potter and John Welsh passing the ball
superbly, Neil Mellor leading the line superbly and Mark Smyth and
Robbie Foy both excellent on the wing.

Liverpool opened the scoring after 26 minutes with a brilliant finish
from captain John Welsh. A Robbie Foy corner was headed on by Zak
Whitbread and when the loose ball fell for Welsh he turned and finished
superbly giving the experienced keeper Nico Vaesen absolutely no chance.
The England Under-21 international signed a new contract last week and
had a classy game.

Neil Mellor went close in the third minute when he shot wide after a
good one-two with Potter then a minute later the lively Mark Smyth
headed just wide from Potter's right wing cross.

The Reds went close close after 30 minutes when David Mannix's cross was
narrowly missed by the head of Mellor. Then a minute later Mannix
produced another superb cross that Vaesen did really well to turn away
from danger.

Barely a reserve game goes by without a goal from Mellor and his seventh
second string strike of the season duly arrived five minutes before half
time. Welsh made it happen with two fantastic tackles in midfield, then
he strode forward and after Mellor had made the run away from the
defenders he got the pass. From a tight angle the striker produced a
deadly finish across Vaesen and into the net. He has scored 12 goals
this season for the reserves and the first team and again is the top
goalscorer at the club.

Mellor nearly scored again a minute later with a deflected effort over
the bar after a great run down the right from Jon Otsemobor.

Birmingham were reduced to 10 men eight minutes into the second half for
one of the quickest double bookings you will see. Right back Tom Parratt
was booked for hauling down Smyth then a similar incident two minutes
later saw an inevitable red card.

David Mannix was having a brilliant game as well and he nearly scored
what would have been a goal to remember. He hit an unsaveable 30-yard
rocket which left the keeper stranded and came back off the post, so
unlucky. Mannix is a player who has been plagued by injuries for three
years with serious knee trouble, but the fact that Rafael Benitez is
giving him a new contract shows how highly this player is rated by the
Melwood staff.

Two minutes later Smyth showed electrifying pace down the left to leave
the Birmingham defence for dead and his cross almost found Foy but was
denied by an excellent clearance from Asa Hall.

Liverpool continued to totally outplay Birmingham in the second half and
some of the passing again was a joy to watch. After 57 minutes a great
move down the left saw Smyth find Warnock overlapping. He beat the
defender and his cross was narrowly missed by the inrushing Mellor.

Scott Carson had probably his quietest match ever up to 66 minutes but
showed his class with a brilliant save to keep out a stinging drive from
David Howland.

Welsh went close after 72 minutes with a fine effort that brought an
excellent fingertip save from Vaesen.

Liverpool Reserves: Carson, Otsemobor, Warnock, Raven, Whitbread,
Potter, Foy (Wilkie 80), Welsh, Mellor, Mannix, Smyth. Subs unused:
Luzi, O'Donnell, Smith, Guthrie.

Birmingham City Reserves: Vaesen, Parratt, Alsop, Oji, Hall, Howland,
Till, Birley, Barrowman, Kuqi (Hicks 79), Motteram.

Referee: C D Sarginson.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: David Mannix. Arguably his best
performance for some time and it was great to see after his terrible
misfortune with injuries. It was a fine all-round Liverpool performance
with Welsh, Smyth and Potter also outstanding.


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Give the gift of life to a sick child.
Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/5iY7fA/6WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/