Blackburn Res 2 Liverpool Res 2 (Sep 7 2004)

[dave u]

Blackburn Res 2 LIVERPOOL RES 2

Report by Dave Usher at Christie Park

Scorer(s) - Mark Smyth, Richie Partridge Half Time - 1-1 Venue - Christie Park, Morecombe Date - Tue 7 Sep 2004 Star Man - Richie Partridge

 

 

 

 

 

Goals from Mark Smyth and Richie Partridge earned Liverpool reserves a draw against Blackburn Rovers in an entertaining game at Morecombe’s Christie Park on Tuesday night.

The reds fielded the same line up which had been held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest last week, as Neil Mellor and Richie Partridge continued the comebacks from injury.

That meant starts for Igor Biscan, Stephen Warnock and Djimi Traore, although Rafa Benitez wasn't here to witness this game. Maybe he'd seen enough after last week's bore draw with Forest!

The two Paco's - Herrera and Ayestaran - were both in attendance however, although they can't have been overly impressed with what they witnessed, especially in the second half.

Rovers should have taken the lead just five minutes in when Douglas arrived unmarked in the penalty area but headed straight at Luzi. They were left to rue that miss a minute later when Partridge fed Smyth just inside the Rovers half on the right hand side, and the young forward ran through and across the home defence before coolly striking a crisp left foot shot into the bottom corner .

It really was a terrific goal from Smyth, and it was Liverpool’s first goal of the season after failing to find the net in any of their previous three outings

Warnock should have made it 2-0 on 15 minutes after a great run and cross from Otsemobor, but he drilled his shot just wide. Semmy had combined superbly with Partridge to create the opening, and the pacy right wing combination caught the eye again, after enjoying similar success last week against Forest.

Seconds later Warnock had another shooting opportunity, but this time he was denied by Blackburn keeper David Yelldell. It was a good spell for the reds, who were knocking the ball about well and dominating the play.

Rovers almost got back on level terms in spectacular fashion when Douglas rattled the bar with a 25 yard drive, as the home side clawed their way back into the game.

Partridge shot just wide after a mazy run, and Otsemobor was denied by a last ditch tackle on the edge of the area after running from well inside his own half, and Liverpool were good value for the lead which it looked like they'd be taking into the dressing room at the interval.

But Rovers got back into it thanks to a free kick conceded by Biscan on the edge of the area. To be honest, I didn't really see the incident as I was too busy typing, but Igor and the rest of the players hotly disputed the decision so perhaps it was harsh.

Whatever, it makes no difference now, as Matt Jansen struck a low shot which went through the wall, and through the hands of Luzi. 'Crisp Bag hands' is a derogatory term a mate of mine uses for keepers in this kind of situation, and I'm sure he won't mind if I use it here.

Luzi was again at fault as Blackburn went in front four minutes into the second period. Jamal Johnson’s cross from the left was deflected towards his own goal by Whitbread, and Luzi couldn’t prevent the ball from going over the line. It was farcical, and reminiscent of a similar o.g. he conceded from Traore at Bolton last season.

Partridge drew the reds’ level on 56 minutes, when he ran onto Mellor’s pass before striking a crisp shot into the far corner of the net. It was fitting reward for Richie, who was his side's most dangerous player throughout, and provided a great outlet on the right wing.

Biscan should then have put the reds in front on 61 minutes, but incredibly shot high and wide from six yards out after Yelldell had only parried Mellor’s shot. A definite 'Igor moment', and the big fella was disappointing again I'm sad to report.

Blackburn were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Whitbread chopped down the pacy Johnson. The striker took the kick himself but Luzi made amends for his earlier errors by making a fine diving save to his left.

Ten minutes from time Luzi was almost embarrassed once more however, when he raced out of his goal but headed the ball straight to Jansen, but the striker’s first time lob fell just the wrong side of the post.

I'm not sure why he was selected ahead of Paul Harrison, as Luzi played the last game and I would have thought 'Harro' would have been handed his turn against Rovers. McAuley could be forgiven for wishing he had selected Harrison after Luzi's poor showing.

With just five minutes remaining Whitbread came agonisingly close to a goal at the right end, when he headed across the face of goal following a great cross by Warnock after well worked free kick.

Mellor then thought he’d won the game for the reds in stoppage time, but his shot was cleared off the line, as the game ended all square.

As he did last week, Mellor had a quiet first half followed by a much improved second period. He still looks short of fitness, and two reserve games without a goal has to be some sort of record for him.

Partridge looks as though he's never been away, despite spending nine months on the sidelines, whereas Mellor's six week layoff appears to have set him back quite a bit.

Perhaps it's because Partridge has been working hard on rehabilitation for so long that his fitness levels are very high, whereas Mellor picked up his injury just after coming back into pre-season training and is therefore now playing catch up.

The consolation for Mellor is that there are a couple more reserve games coming up and by the end of them he will be hoping to be fit and firing, ready to try and force his way into senior contention.

Few players did themselves justice against Rovers. Mannix worked hard and showed some nice touches in midfield, but it will clearly take him some time to get back to his best after hardly kicking a ball for the best part of two years.

Smyth worked hard and took his goal well, and Otsemobor combined some exciting forward running with some sloppy passing, just as he did last week. Semmy is a player of immense potential, but at times he can be a bit too casual and lax, perhaps because he's playing reserve football, I don't know.

He may be one of those players who needs to be in the first team to be able to concentrate fully on the game, but I doubt he'll get the chance to prove that. I hope he does get another go though, as his performance at Anfield against Southampton last season was the best right back display since the days of the great Rob Jones.

David Raven was once again impressive, playing the whole game at centre back as Traore was used on the left. 'Ravo' did not put a foot wrong all night, never giving possession away and defending very well. Had it not been for Partridge getting on the scoresheet, I'd probably have given Raven the star man.


Team: Patrice Luzi; Jon Otsemobor, David Raven, Zak Whitbread, Djimi Traore; Richie Partridge, David Mannix, Igor Biscan, Stephen Warnock; Mark Smyth, Neil Mellor:

Agree or Disagree? Email me at dave@liverpoolway.co.uk