Wigan Res 0 Liverpool Res 2 (Nov 1 2006)

[TLW]

Wigan Res 0 LIVERPOOL RES 2

Report by Dave Usher at Robbin Park

Scorer(s) - Paul Anderson, Besian Idrizaj Half Time - 0-1 Venue - Robbin Park, Wigan Date - Tue 1 Nov 2006 Star Man - Godwin Antwi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reds second string finally got their first win of the season as goals from Paul Anderson and Besian Idrizaj were enough to sink Wigan Athletic at Robbin Park. The reserves have been playing some decent football without much reward so far this season, and Gary Ablett will be relieved to finally get some points on the board with this well deserved victory.

Ablett made a couple of changes to the side that had lost at home to Middlesbrough last time out. Dave Roberts replaced David Martin in goal, as Jerzy Dudek's suspension means Martin is needed for the first team bench and they can't risk him picking up an injury.

The other change saw Godwin Antwi return to the starting XI after being on the bench for the last game. Jack Hobbs missed out, presumably through injury as he wasn't even on the bench, and neither was Adam Hammill, who had made such a big impression as a sub last time out.

James Smith, Lee Peltier and Danny Guthrie all returned to reserve duty after represting the senior side last week against Reading in the Carling Cup.

Wigan also named a young side, with Matt Jackson and Stefan Johansson the only recognisable names in their line up.

Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, and Guthrie had the game's first effort on goal after just four minutes. Cllecting the ball on the left edge of the box, he made space for himself and curled a shot goalwards which was well tipped over by the keeper.

David Mannix then almost caught the keeper out with a long range free-kick. It was dipping under the bar, and the keeper almost carried it over the goal-line as he backtracked. Mannix was being watched by a number of scouts, and did himself no harm at all with an accomplished display in the middle of the park.

Idrizaj then had a great chance to open the scoring when Lindfield's astute pass sent him in, but he delayed his shot too long and when he eventually got it away it hit the keeper who had rushed out to narrow the angle. El Zhar then failed to make the most of a promising situation when he over-ran the ball as he homed in on goal.

Wigan's only sniff of goal saw Jackson put a header over the bar following a right wing corner.

The reds went in front on the half hour with a fine goal. The ball was worked to Lindfield on the right touchline, but he was closely marked, facing away from goal, and didn't seem to have too many options. He cleverly backheeled the ball past his marker though into the path of Idrizaj, and the Austrian advanced into the penalty and reached the byline before cutting the ball back to Anderson who finished powerfully into the roof of the net.

Idrizaj and Lindfield linked up very well together, and the Austrian made it 2-0 six minutes into the 2nd half, when Lindfield found him in space again and he surged into the box, held off a defender and finished at the 2nd attempt after his first effort had rebounded back to him off the keeper.

Wigan just couldn't manage to put any sustained pressure on the Liverpool goal, and seemingly every ball into the box ended up being cleared by Godwin Antwi. The big defender was like a magnet, as no matter where he was the ball seemed drawn to him. He had a great game, and nothing got past him.

The rest of the defence were very solid too, and as a unit they worked well. Dave Roberts only had one save of note to make all night, but what a save it was. A scramble in the box saw the ball drop at the feet of Johansson, but his crisp shot was brilliantly beaten away by the reds' young keeper.

Liverpool could easily have increased their lead with a bit more composure, and wasted two great chances in stoppage time. First, El Zhar did brilliantly to tee up Anderson on the edge of the box, but his chip just had too much on it and sailed over the bar.

Then, Lindfield again released Idrizaj, and he too tried to lob the keeper but his attempt was very tame and the keeper gathered it into his midriff. Very causual finishing from Idrizaj, but overall he had one of his best games since coming to the club.

There were many good displays from Ablett's young charges, but Antwi stood out for me as he was so commanding at the back.

Hopefully now they have their first win of the season, more will follow. Re-enforcements to the squad are on the way too, although red tape may prevent them from appearing until the transfer window opens in January.

Team: Roberts; Peltier, Roque, Antwi, Smith; El Zhar, Mannix, Guthrie, Anderson; Idrizaj, Lindfield;