[Liverweb] Reserves Match Report

Liverweb Reserves Match Report

Liverpool 0 Middlesboro 2

Liverpool : Martin, Barragan, Woods, Roque, Antwi, O'Donnell,
Peltier, Hobbs (C), Foy, Anderson, Guthrie

Subs Used : Calliste for Anderson (HT), Lindfield for Woods (69),
Flynn for Hobbs (85)

unused subs: Lancaster, Threlfall

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Liverpool reserves slumped to a 2-0 win at home to Middlesboro last
night. A very youthful Reds side played in the cold, rain and wind
that is typical of the academy. The game was switched from Wrexham
and a couple of hundred fans braved the elements to watch this one.
The loss was cruel on the balance of the whole game which saw a dull
and uninteresting first half spark in to more life come the second.

The Reds got the game underway defending the academy end in the
first half and played with three at the back. O'Donnell, Antwi and
Roque forged a back line with Calum Woods and Antonio Barragan
making up the wing back positions. The first chance for the Reds
came on three minutes when Paul Anderson chased down a long ball.
Having hassled the defender his clearance bounced off him and
Anderson went clear only to blaze his shot high and wide of the goal.

Boro's first real threat came on eight minutes when Adam Johnson
attacked down the left. He left Barragan on the seat of his pants
only to then cross too deep for Craddock. Six minutes later and from
the opposite flank Boro attacked but Calum Woods was back well to
clear the danger when the cross was put in. Woods was again in
defensive action four minutes later when he was needed to clear a
ball from Craddock who had cut in from their right hand side.

The Reds were looking quite ordinary up front but with no recognised
striker on the pitch its hardly a wonder. Guthrie played a superb
ball round the back of the defence midway through the half for
Anderson but his shot from fifteen yards was easily saved by the
keeper. The half was a dull affair though from now on and there was
nothing to note down. The good thing about that was it did at least
mean I could get me hands in my pockets to stay warm.

Boro were out first for the second half and ready for the action.
The Reds came out and made a change, bring on Ramon Calliste for
Paul Anderson. The one other change was that the referee had changed
as well. The lino from my side of the pitch had now become ref and
the fourth official was forced to run the line.

The Reds had the first chance of the half and they both fell to
Calum Woods. First of all he headed goalwards only to see it
cleared. Calliste then played the ball back in and Woods, who hadn't
moved then volleyed at goal only to see David Knight save well.

Four minutes in to the half and the Reds were cruelly behind. Adam
Johnson had a shot on goal which Martin would have had covered but
it deflected away off Roque to the opposite side of the goal and
Martin slipped in his attempt to change his direction. It was a
cruel blow but at least the Reds had plenty of time to rally and at
least now had a forward on the pitch as well.

A minute after the goal and Lee Peltier strode forward but his shot
from distance went side of the goal. Antonio Barragan had an
impressive second half and on fifty four minutes he tried to take on
every Boro player in his attempt to score. After weaving his way
past them all he finished his routine with a woeful shot. It was
encouraging though at least. On fifty eight minutes the Reds should
have been back in the game and if Danny O'Donnell can explain his
miss I'd be very interested. Robbie Foy played a corner ball in and
it fell to the defender just three yards from goal, unmarked.
Somehow he managed to head the ball over the bar when it looked
easier to score.

Just after the hour mark Calliste held the ball up well before
playing Robbie Foy in but his shot went straight at the keeper. The
Reds made a second switch on sixty nine minutes when Craig Lindfield
arrived for Calum Woods and the Reds went back to a normal 442
style. It actually helped the Reds quite a bit to have the shape
like this. Within a minute of coming on Lindfield should have
equalised. He was played in round the back and with the flag rightly
down he was through on goal. He was pulled back which had he gone
down would surely have been a red card. However Lindfield stayed up
and as he reached the area shaped to go around him but saw his shot
saved by Knight. The big defender also got away with his earlier tug
on Lindfield although a yellow card or at least a talking to was
merited.

The Reds were by far the better side now and surely a goal would
come. On seventy three minutes they very nearly did as well.
Barragan again found space down the right hand side. His cross was
deflected up and towards the goal only for Knight to tip on to his
bar. The ball fell two yards out to Calliste who tapped the ball to
the keeper when he should have been bursting the net.

With the clock ticking down Ryan Flynn was sent on for the final
five minutes in place of Jack Hobbs. O'Donnell took the captains
armband and the Reds went in search again of the equalising goal.
With the Reds pushing forward the were hit by the sucker punch with
a minute to go. Peltier lost the ball in midfield and Boro raced
forward. The Reds seemed to be all over the pace at the back at this
point and Graeme Owens shot home past Martin off the leg of
O'Donnell.

With just a couple of added minutes the final whistle went and the
Reds had lost 2-0. This was a very cruel defeat given all the effort
from the Reds. Half of me looks back at the game now and wonders why
we never started with at least one true striker in the first half.
Anderson and Foy are not strikers but being asked to fill that void
which isn't fair, especially when you have two strikers on the bench.

MotM : Lee Peltier - had a sterling game in the centre of midfield.
The vote certainly wasn't swayed by the fact I was stood next to his
dad either. Danny Guthrie and Antonio Barragan also had excellent
second halves to the game but Peltier swings the vote for his
performance over the full ninety.

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