Leeds Res 0 Liverpool Res 0 (Feb 22 2006)

[TLW]

Leeds Res 0 LIVERPOOL RES 0

Report by Peter Schulz at Elland Road

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Elland Road, Leeds Date - Wed 22 Feb 2006 Star Man - Jan Kromkamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the night when Chelsea got spanked in the Champions League Liverpool reserves played out a dour 0-0 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. It only ever really came to life when Welsh U21 starlet Ramon Calliste and Leeds’ Simon Walton were red carded late in the first half.

Liverpool lined up in a typical 4-5-1 formation with Guthrie playing off Calliste. Despite having played in the Youth Cup on Monday night, Jack Hobbs, Godwin Antwi and Adam Hammill all started. Dutch fullback Jan Kromkamp was the only first team player involved.

Leeds looked the stronger side right from kick-off and dominated possession, but the first chance fell to Calliste, who was sent through on goal. He tried to round the keeper, Ian Bennett, but knocked it too far ahead of himself and then decided to dive. It was a blatant dive and I’m pretty surprised he wasn’t booked for it to be fair.

The game was rather uneventful and I started downloading Frankie Eisenhower tracks onto my laptop while struggling not to fall asleep at this stage.

Leeds’ first chance came on 27 minutes when Danny Pugh’s cross looked to be going in, but David Martin managed to tip it onto the bar before Danny O’Donnell could clear the ball.

Three minutes later, Kromkamp got the ball on the halfway line and he embarked on a run which saw him take the ball past 3-4 Leeds defenders. He got to the edge of the box and should probably have attempted the shot, but instead he was tackled. The ball fell to Hammill, whose right foot shot from the edge of the D was saved.

On 43 minutes came the highlight of the game. Calliste fouled Walton on the touchline and the Leeds defender clearly didn’t like the Welshman’s challenge and told him so. Calliste got up and simply headbutted him. None of that poncy heads-against-each-other stuff, but a proper headbutt.

Walton could have gone down and no one could have accused him of playacting, but instead he struck back! Now, the referee had no option but to send off Calliste, but I think perhaps the red card she showed to Walton was a little bit harsh. In all fairness the Leeds man should be applauded for not going down theatrically, but his chances of a move to Chelsea seem to have deteriorated completely.

Second half was slightly better, but the reds lined up with no centre forward instead relying on Hammill and Foy on either wing to go forward. There was no one on the end of any crosses, however. Leeds seemed to adopt a brave 3-4-2 formation.

Robbie Foy had a good chance on the hour mark, turning inside his man and unleashing a fierce strike at goal. Bennett was equal to it and blocked it before Leeds could clear. Two minutes later, Danny Pugh hit the post with a half volley from just outside the post. Martin was rooted to the spot.

On 70 minutes Adam Hammill crossed well, and Bennett couldn’t quite reach it and spilled it. Foy was first to react, but had to turn back to get the ball. Guthrie screened a defender and as Foy struck, the referee blew her whistle to give a freekick to Leeds.

Five minutes later, a tired Adam Hammill was replaced by Ryan Flynn. The Scot did very well in the last 15 minutes and had the reds’ best chance two minutes from time. James Smith ran onto a delightful ball in the channel from Jack Hobbs, and his cross found Flynn at the far post, but his volley was saved well by Bennett.

By then, Craig Lindfield had come on for Lee Peltier who was suffering from cramp. Lindfield did get an opportunity to shoot, but his shot went over. It was nice to see his good form for the U18s rewarded with a call up to the reserves.

Liverpool’s best player on the night was Kromkamp, who looks very comfortable when running with the ball. He struck up a decent partnership with Hammill on the right hand side and often pushed forward to make things happen.

The defence was solid once again, and I’m impressed with Antwi every time I see him. To be fair though, the whole back four looked solid. Jack Hobbs did well once again in midfield as did Lee Peltier, but the reserve team really is lacking a real threat up front. Personally, I don’t think either Idrizaj or Calliste is the answer, but Lindfield might be if he is given time.

Calliste certainly won’t have done himself any favours with this performance.

Team: Martin; Kromkamp, Antwi, O’Donnell Smith; Hammill (Flynn), Hobbs, Peltier (Lindfield), Guthrie, Foy; Calliste.