[lfc-news] Reserves v Man CIty report - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 27 April 2005
RESERVES SUFFER HEAVY DEFEAT AT CITY
By Steve Hunter

Spanish defender Josemi made his comeback as a second half substitute as
Liverpool Reserves ended their season in defeat with a 5-0 thumping
defeat at Manchester City.

It was a very disappointing end to the season for Hughie McAuley's team
and the Reds coach had no complaints with the result and said his team
had been well beaten. Indeed but for goalkeeper Paul Harrison it could
have been a lot worse.

Josemi hadn't played a first team game since appearing as a late
substitute against Portsmouth at Anfield on 14th December 2004, and
returned from a knee injury after 58 minutes of this match.

Liverpool Reserve manager Hughie McAuley fielded a young side with Jon
Otsemobor back after a trial at Hearts. Otsemobor started at left back
with David Raven at right back. John Welsh captained the team and
partnered David Mannix in central midfield while Conal Platt played as
the lone striker supported by Darren Potter.

Manchester City welcomed back striker Jon Macken after injury to partner
the exciting Bradley Wright-Phillips in attack, brother of Shaun. Kasper
Schmeichel, son of Peter, was in goal. Lee Croft, who set up the winning
goal for City in the Premiership win over Liverpool recently also
started and was the man of the match. City also had experience at the
back in the form of French defender David Sommeil.

The match was played at Sport City, the athletics stadium which is
situated on the City of Manchester Stadium complex.

City took the lead after 25 minutes with a superb individual goal from
Jon Macken, who curled home a 25-yard shot beyond the reach of Paul
Harrison and into the net.

A minute later it was nearly 2-0 but Harrison made a superb save to keep
out an effort from Willo Flood who had capitalised on some very hesitant
Liverpool defending.

Then a minute later it was 2-0 and a brilliant goal from Bradley
Wright-Phillips whose fierce drive gave Harrison no chance.

Five minutes before half-time it was 3-0 to City with Macken getting his
second goal, again waltzing through the Liverpool defence and finishing
well.

It became worse for Liverpool after 52 minutes when Bradley
Wright-Phillips had his second goal of the night to make it 4-0. Croft
turned Whitbread inside out down the right wing and produced a great
cross that was headed home by the unmarked Wright-Phillips.

Five minutes later it was almost 5-0 and again the danger came down the
right wing from Croft. From his cross the hat-trick hunting Macken was
denied by a good save from Harrison.

Josemi made his return after 58 minutes when he came on for Ryan Wilkie.
Josemi went to right back with Otsemobor down the right wing and Raven
left back to try and stop the threat of Croft.

It was 5-0 after 63 minutes and Croft again created it down the right
wing with a superb cross and substitute Marc Laird fired home.

Wright-Phillips was so close to a hat-trick after 75 minutes when he
turned Josemi inside out only to shoot just over the bar.

Substitute Phil Townley was close to a consolation goal for the Reds in
the late stages of the game but saw his header well held by Kasper
Schmeichel.

Harrison then pulled off another tremendous save to deny Wright-Phillips
a hat-trick at point blank range.

For the final game of the season to lose 5-0 was a disappointing end to
a long season for Liverpool Reserves.

Manchester City Reserves: Schmeichel, Warrender, Collins (Lee-Matthews
72), D'Laryea (Miller 72, Richards, Sommeil, Croft, Flood, Macken,
Wright-Phillips, Ireland (Laird 45).

Liverpool Reserves: Harrison, Raven, Otsemobor, O'Donnell, Whitbread,
Mannix, Partridge, Welsh, Platt (Townley 45), Potter, Wilkie (Josemi
58). Unused subs: Luzi, Hitchin, Barratt.

Referee: D Whitestone.

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