Middlesbrough Res 4 Liverpool Res 1 (Feb 2 2006)

[TLW]

Boro Res 4 LIVERPOOL RES 1

Report by Dave Usher at Billingham Synthonium

Scorer(s) - Ramon Calliste (pen) Half Time - 1-1 Venue - Billingham Synthonium Date - Thu 2 Feb 2006 Star Man - Danny Guthrie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny Guthrie was in terrific form for Liverpool reserves, but overall it was a disappointing night as Middlesbrough ran out 4-1 winners on a freezing cold night on Teesside. The scoreline certainly doesn’t reflect the balance of the game, as Liverpool actually performed very well for long periods of the match.

The game was played at Billingham Synthonium, a place I can’t stand. It’s a hell of a long journey, and not somewhere I have fond memories of. Last season a massive thunderstorm delayed the kick off, and if I remember rightly we lost the game to a last minute goal. This time there was no thunder and lightning, it was just freezing cold.

Whatsmore, the press facilities there are non-existant. To quote Forrest Gump, travelling around the country covering the ressies is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Last time out, I was sat in a nice warm exectutive box at Telford United’s ground. I watched the game from behind the glass, and we had the Wigan/Arsenal game on the tv in the room.

This time there was no nice warm box. There was no internet connection, or even a plug socket for the laptop. In fact, there wasn’t even a desk to rest the laptop on, which even the most basic of ressies stadiums usually provide. If I was just having to do the report for TLW, it wouldn’t be a problem as I could just write it when I got home. But I do a couple of freelance reports for papers and one of them has to be sent in straight after the final whistle, so little things like not having a desk or an internet connection is more than a slight inconvenience.

So all in all, Boro away is the worst fixture of the ressies season for me (just ahead of Sunderland), even more so after this result. It may sound strange to say, but this was one of the reserves best performances of the season in many ways. On the balance of play, we were possibly the better side. Unfortunately, defensive howlers proved fatal. Boro’s first three goals were all direct results of defensive cock ups.

The reds played some excellent stuff going forward, with Guthrie and Paul Anderson in particular looking very lively. Guthrie almost scored in the opening minute when he sent a curling free-kick arrowing towards the top corner, but Boro keeper David Knight got across well and tipped it over the bar.

Two minutes later Boro went close but reds’ keeper David Martin made a good save from Malcolm Christie’s close range effort. That was a rare moment of concern for Paco Herrera’s side in the early stages, as most of the goalmouth action was at the other end.

Anderson put a half volley over the bar after a good run and cross from the left by Adam Hammill, and Calliste was denied by a great save from Knight after another cross from Hammill.

Peltier then struck a powerful free-kick from 25 yards which Knight saved at full stretch, and shortly afterwards the midfielder sent a stinging 35 yard effort whistling past the post. Liverpool were dominant, but fell behind against the run of player when Craddock took on Roque down the left and managed to get to the byline and send a cross towards Christie. Godwin Antwi had come across to cover, but couldn’t direct his header and the ball flew over Martin into the far corner.

The young reds hit back immediately, as a little over a minute later they were awarded a penalty for a shove on Anderson. Calliste steped up and drilled the ball into the top corner.

Anderson should have put his side in front when he raced clear of the home defence in first half stoppage time, but he snatched at his shot and sent the ball well wide.

Herrera’s side began the second half brightly, and a fine move saw Guthrie and Hammill link up to feed Calliste just outside the box. The Welsh u21 striker did well to create space and his shot was beautifully struck but went just the wrong side of the post.

Liverpool were well in control, but a terrible backpass from skipper Jack Hobbs sent Craddock clean through, and he went around Martin and finished well. Hobbs had played the ball without looking, and paid a heavy price for his error.

Less than a minute later Craddock had his second, when he latched onto a poor header by Roque and lobbed Martin from 30 yards. So from being in control and looking good for a win, the reds now found themselves two goals behind out of nothing.

They showed good character to once again take control of the game and did create more good chances. Guthrie went close with two superbly struck shots from distance, and Hobbs and Roque both had chances following set-pieces. Knight was in good form in the Boro goal however, and Liverpool couldn’t find a way past him.

Almost inevitably, after a spell of Liverpool pressure Boro grabbed another. A great run down the left by Adam Johnson saw him cross for Craddock, and the striker finished superbly to claim his hat-trick. Johnson looks a very good player, and he gave Antonio Barragan a lot of problems.

Barragan was quite poor on the night, and as I’ve said before he just doesn’t look a natural defender. His positioning is suspect, and he’s far more happy going forward than defending. Anderson spent a lot of the game chasing back to cover for the out of position Spaniard, and a lot of work needs to be done on the training ground before Barragan can be classed as a full back.

Boro exposed our flank on numerous occasions, and three of the goals came down that side. The axis of Barragan and Roque had a night they’ll want to forget, but Antwi and Smith were much more solid on the other side of the backline, Godwin’s own goal apart of course.

Defensively Liverpool have been very solid this season, and it’s going forward where the side have looked a little weak. It was the opposite in this game, as the reds were bright and inventive in the attacking third, especially in the first half.

Guthrie was back to the form he showed early in the season before he was struck down by injury. Since his return he’s been a bit subdued, but he thrived in the attacking midfield role he was given against Boro. He played just behind Calliste, and was involved in everything good that the side created.

Anderson had a good game on the right, whilst Hammill impressed on the other flank in the first half. Peltier and Hobbs were very good in the first half too, but faded after the break.

In the second half Herrera made changes and gave reserve team debuts to u18 players Ryan Flynn and Craig Lindfield (actually Lindfield may have appeared as a sub before, I’m not sure). Robbie Foy, back from a loan spell at Wrexham, was also introduced in place of Hammill. Robbie was sporting a mighty fine tan as usual. Having spent a lot of time in Wrexham in the last couple of seasons I can only assume they must have some excellent sunbed shops there, as that tan ain’t natural that’s for sure.

So overall a disappointing night for the young reds, but there are things to take encouragement from. Usually Roque and Godwin don’t make mistakes, as both have been outstanding all season. But for the defensive errors the lads would have come away with at least a point from this game, and the trio of Guthrie, Anderson and Hammill will cause teams a lot of problems if they can maintain this kind of form.

Star man was Guthrie, with notable mentions to Anderson and James Smith, who was as solid as always at left back.

Team: Martin; Barragan, Roque, Antwi, Smith; Anderson, Hobbs, Peltier (Flynn), Hammill (Foy); Guthrie; Calliste (Lindfield):