Sunderland Res 0 Liverpool Res 0 (Sep 15 2004)

[dave u]

Sunderland 0 LIVERPOOL RES 0

Report by Dave Usher at Durham FC

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Durham FC Date - Thu 14 Apr 2005 Star Man - Jon Otsemobor

 

 

 

 

 

The reds inability to find the net once more proved costly, as they were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland in a game dominated by Hughie McAuley's side.

Liverpool hit the woodwork twice, and were denied by some excellent goalkeeping, but the absence of a recognised centre forward is severely hampering McAuley at the moment. Hughie welcomed back Jon Otsemobor after he missed the last two games due to the mumps, but skipper John Welsh was not involved, presumably as he is needed for first team duty this weekend.

Sunderland have been scoring for fun recently, with Kevin Kyle having hit eight goals in his last two matches. He started this game, and had a goal ruled out before having to leave the field through injury shortly before half time. He's fucking huge, and the reds back four will have been very glad to see the back of him. Any attacking threat the home side posed left the field with Kyle, and after that the reds were very comfortable.

Liverpool knocked it about quite well in the first half, with 17 year old Paul Barratt very prominent on the left flank. His clever running off the ball saw him get into some good positions, and he could have opened the scoring midway through the half when Otsemobor';s superb through ball sent him away in the inside right channel.

The youngster advanced goalwards, but as the angle tightened he struck a shot with the outside of his right foot across the face of goal. Potter was then denied by Sunderland's impressive young keeper Carson, before Otsemobor almost produced the goal of the season. Collecting the ball just inside the Sunderland half, he set off on a typical mazy run, which took him clear of several challenges and into the area.

His shot looked destined for the top corner, but crashed against the inside of the post. 'Semmy' was in brilliant form in the first half, but didn't have quite the same influence after the break. Liverpool remained in control in the second half, and Paul Harrison had very little to do. A couple of routine saves from long shots was the extent of his involvement. Sunderland's keeper was a lot busier, but unfortunately the reds couldn't find a way past him.

Barratt again went close shortly after the restart when he broke clear down the left, but even though his deflected shot beat Carson, a defender got back to clear off the line.

Karl Noon replaced Conal Platt, and was desperately unlucky not to get the winner when he rose well and sent a bullet header goalwards. Carson tipped the ball onto the bar, and then managed to smuggle it off the line as he fell backwards.

Carson then saved his best til last, making a brilliant save to deny Partridge after a clever ball from Guthrie had sent him through. So all in all, another disappointing night for the ressies, as yet again their inability to score goals cost them points.

The performance wasn't bad, but if you don't score goals you don't win games. Defensively the reds are doing well enough. Against Sunderland the back four all played well, and the midfield created enough openings to win the game.

Finishing let them down though. Barratt and Partridge should both have scored, but the absence of Mellor is proving to be a huge problem for McAuley. I know I keep saying it, but it's true, and it is being proved in almost every game.

I went for Otsemobor as the star man based on what he did in the first half. He just shades it from Whitbread and Barratt.

Team: Paul Harrison; Jon Otsemobor, Danny O'Donnell, Zak Whitbread, David Raven; Richie Partridge, Danny Guthrie, David Mannix, Paul Barratt; Darren Potter, Conal Platt (Karl Noon):