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

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Official LFC Website, 22 Aug 2005
FLO ON TARGET AS RESERVES DRAW
Steve Hunter, at Wrexham

Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored for the second game running as Liverpool
Reserves drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground,
and Djimi Traore also made a successful comeback.

It was planned for Traore just to play for 35 minutes as he returned
from injury. The French defender has only featured once in pre-season
for Liverpool which was 45 minutes in the friendly win over Bayer
Leverkusen in Lustenau. He has been injured since then with a thigh
strain. He has returned ahead of schedule and looked sharp for the 35
minutes he was on the pitch.

Sinama-Pongolle scored a good goal and played for the first 45 minutes
and Welsh trialist Ramon Calliste also scored a good goal. Calliste is a
Welsh Under-21 international and was released by Manchester United at
the end of last season. He had a decent game and Liverpool will have to
decide whether to sign him or not.

It was a good match and Liverpool were only denied victory by a superb
equaliser from Newcastle winger Kris Gate.

New Spanish signing, 17-year-old Miki Roque made his debut at centre
half and did very well, showing good composure and made some good blocks.

Jack Hobbs played central midfield and did well showing some nice
touches. He played alongside Salif Diao who was a good help to the
former Lincoln youngster and the Senegal international showed a good
attitude in his first match of the season.

David Raven captained the Liverpool side and had a good match at right
back. Liverpool's star man was Danny Guthrie and the former Academy
midfielder carried on from his excellent display against Everton last
week. He was at the heart of all of Liverpool's best moments and he was
so unlucky not to score a goal.

James Smith made his first appearance of the season at left back when he
came on for Traore and did very well. Academy graduate Smith was given a
one-year contract for this season and has returned after a broken foot
ruled him out for the final month of the last campaign. He showed a good
attitude and is always a good competitor.

Liverpool almost scored after three minutes when Djimi Traore's fine run
and cross down the left found the head of Adam Hammill who was denied by
a save from Tony Caig who just kept out the effort.

The Reds took a deserved lead after 16 minutes with Sinama-Pongolle the
goalscorer. Jack Hobbs sent him clear with a nice through ball and the
French Under-21 international rounded Caig and finished well.

It was nearly 2-0 after 24 minutes but Caig produced a brilliant save to
keep out Guthrie's stinging 25-yard drive.

The lively Adam Hammill was causing all sorts of problems for the
Newcastle defence with his runs down the left wing and he set up a
decent opening for Hobbs but the 17-year-old shot wide.

Hammill and Guthrie both went close before Newcastle missed a sitter at
the other end when Carl Finnigan headed wide when unmarked.

Newcastle equalised on the stroke of half-time. Alan O'Brien got clear
down the left wing and after Willis saved superbly from Finnigan, Liam
Atkin was on hand to score and make it 1-1.

Godwin Antwi came on for the second half in place of Sinama-Pongolle and
played up front. He is a central defender but because of the number of
defenders on the pitch he had to play up front but he did well.

Newcastle started the second half brightly and Willis pushed away a
cross that could have gone in then Daryl Smylie was unlucky to see his
free-kick hit the bar.

Liverpool regained the lead after 68 minutes through trialist Ramon
Calliste. Guthrie's superb through ball sent him clear and Calliste
finished superbly into the bottom corner of the net.

However, Newcastle were not to be denied and after Willis had superbly
denied Gate he was then beaten by a fantastic long range striker from
the same player to make it 2-2.

Liverpool might have won it near the end but Hammill saw his effort
saved by Caig after another superb pass from Hobbs.

Liverpool Reserves: Willis, Raven, Traore (Smith 35), Roque, O'Donnell,
Diao, Guthrie, Hobbs, Sinama-Pongolle (Antwi 45), Calliste (Mannix 78),
Hammill. Subs unused: Peltier, Roberts (GK).

Newcastle United Reserves: Caig, Baxter, Farman, Ramage, Huntingdon,
Marshall, Gate, Smylie, Finnigan, Atkin, O'Brien.

Referee: C N Harwood.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Danny Guthrie. Superb display,
creative, and some great long range strikes.

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