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Nico · 16th October 2003, 22:42

Reserves lose to Man U

A youthful Liverpool Reserves side went down 1-0 to Manchester United who found the breakthrough 15 minutes from time, in front of a crowd of 4,830 at Chester's Deva Stadium.

Substitute Daniel Nardiello managed to find a way past the outstanding Chris Kirkland but the goal came two minutes after Liverpool almost scored, but Darren Potter was denied by Roy Carroll.

Chris Kirkland and John Welsh both featured for Liverpool as well as Darren Potter, who like the mentioned two were on the bench for the first team against Olimpija on Wednesday night. Potter did well for Liverpool in an unfamiliar role playing up front.

Potter was joined up front by under-19 left back Chris Butler, who switched back to a position he played in junior football. Butler batled hard but is not a natural striker. Reds reserve boss Hughie McAuley was desperately short of fire power and had no choice with his options really, with Steven Gillespie and Mark Smyth both injured and Florent Sinama-Pongolle was on first team duty last night.

Scottish winger Robbie Foy played on the left and had some good moments in the match but a lack of firepower and natural front players made things difficult for Liverpool.

Manchester United passed the ball well and could have won by more goals if it wasn't for the excellent Chris Kirkland. The Reds keeper made a great stop after nine minutes to deny Kieran Richardson from a quickly taken free-kick.

Captain John Welsh went close for the Reds second string a minute later but couldn't keep his shot down and the effort sailed over the bar after good set-up play by Potter.

Both defences were on top for Liverpool with Carl Medjani and Zak Whitbread excellent at centre half for the Reds. Liverpool had a great chance on the half hour mark. Brilliant work from Potter saw him intercept a pass and feed Robbie Foy, who then cut in from the left and fired in a fierce drive that was well struck but straight at Roy Carroll.

A minute before half time the Reds went close again. A superb incisive through ball from Chris Butler released Foy down the left who produced a low cross that was just about scrambled away by the United defence and cleared from the lurking Potter.

United were the stronger side in the second half and at times Liverpool struggled to make any real attacks and string passing moves together. Kirkland made a great save to keep out substitute Eddie Johnson's close range effort, then came two bad misses from the away side. David Bellion miscued a header from close range then Richardson sent a free header over the bar.

Kirkland held on well to a Bellion close range header before Liverpool went close after 59 minutes. Foy set off on a great run which took him past three defenders but was then caught in two minds whether to have an effort on goal or pass. In the end he passed to Potter who was quickly crowded out.

The turning point in the game came 17 minutes from time. First Liverpool's Butler did brilliantly down the left to burst his way into the penalty area. His lay-off found Michael Foley-Sheridan who missed his kick in front of goal and the rebound fell to Potter who saw his effort superbly kept out by Carroll.

Two minutes later United found the breakthrough after two substitutes combined. Phillip Pickens combined well with David Jones to give Daniel Nardiello a sight of goal and to be fair he finished superbly giving Kirkland no chances.

Jones almost added a second in stoppage time but Kirkland made another great save on the stretch.

All in all a disappointing night really for Liverpool but it was just that lack of a natural goal getter and someone to hold the ball up that just wasn't there tonight.

Liverpool Reserves: Kirkland, Otsemobor, Vaughan, Medjani, Whitbread, Foley-Sheridan, Wright (Massie 78), Welsh, Butler, Potter, Foy. Subs unused: Raven, Luzi, Flynn, James Smith.

Manchester United Reserves: Carroll, Lynch, Pugh, Tierney, Tate, Jones, Eagles, Wood, Cooper (Johnson45), Bellion (Nardiello 67), Richardson (Pickens 67).

Referee: W McIntosh.

16th October 2003, 22:42	#129 (permalink)
Nico Youth Team Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 197	Reserves lose to Man U A youthful Liverpool Reserves side went down 1-0 to Manchester United who found the breakthrough 15 minutes from time, in front of a crowd of 4,830 at Chester's Deva Stadium. Substitute Daniel Nardiello managed to find a way past the outstanding Chris Kirkland but the goal came two minutes after Liverpool almost scored, but Darren Potter was denied by Roy Carroll. Chris Kirkland and John Welsh both featured for Liverpool as well as Darren Potter, who like the mentioned two were on the bench for the first team against Olimpija on Wednesday night. Potter did well for Liverpool in an unfamiliar role playing up front. Potter was joined up front by under-19 left back Chris Butler, who switched back to a position he played in junior football. Butler batled hard but is not a natural striker. Reds reserve boss Hughie McAuley was desperately short of fire power and had no choice with his options really, with Steven Gillespie and Mark Smyth both injured and Florent Sinama-Pongolle was on first team duty last night. Scottish winger Robbie Foy played on the left and had some good moments in the match but a lack of firepower and natural front players made things difficult for Liverpool. Manchester United passed the ball well and could have won by more goals if it wasn't for the excellent Chris Kirkland. The Reds keeper made a great stop after nine minutes to deny Kieran Richardson from a quickly taken free-kick. Captain John Welsh went close for the Reds second string a minute later but couldn't keep his shot down and the effort sailed over the bar after good set-up play by Potter. Both defences were on top for Liverpool with Carl Medjani and Zak Whitbread excellent at centre half for the Reds. Liverpool had a great chance on the half hour mark. Brilliant work from Potter saw him intercept a pass and feed Robbie Foy, who then cut in from the left and fired in a fierce drive that was well struck but straight at Roy Carroll. A minute before half time the Reds went close again. A superb incisive through ball from Chris Butler released Foy down the left who produced a low cross that was just about scrambled away by the United defence and cleared from the lurking Potter. United were the stronger side in the second half and at times Liverpool struggled to make any real attacks and string passing moves together. Kirkland made a great save to keep out substitute Eddie Johnson's close range effort, then came two bad misses from the away side. David Bellion miscued a header from close range then Richardson sent a free header over the bar. Kirkland held on well to a Bellion close range header before Liverpool went close after 59 minutes. Foy set off on a great run which took him past three defenders but was then caught in two minds whether to have an effort on goal or pass. In the end he passed to Potter who was quickly crowded out. The turning point in the game came 17 minutes from time. First Liverpool's Butler did brilliantly down the left to burst his way into the penalty area. His lay-off found Michael Foley-Sheridan who missed his kick in front of goal and the rebound fell to Potter who saw his effort superbly kept out by Carroll. Two minutes later United found the breakthrough after two substitutes combined. Phillip Pickens combined well with David Jones to give Daniel Nardiello a sight of goal and to be fair he finished superbly giving Kirkland no chances. Jones almost added a second in stoppage time but Kirkland made another great save on the stretch. All in all a disappointing night really for Liverpool but it was just that lack of a natural goal getter and someone to hold the ball up that just wasn't there tonight. Liverpool Reserves: Kirkland, Otsemobor, Vaughan, Medjani, Whitbread, Foley-Sheridan, Wright (Massie 78), Welsh, Butler, Potter, Foy. Subs unused: Raven, Luzi, Flynn, James Smith. Manchester United Reserves: Carroll, Lynch, Pugh, Tierney, Tate, Jones, Eagles, Wood, Cooper (Johnson45), Bellion (Nardiello 67), Richardson (Pickens 67). Referee: W McIntosh.