Sunderland Res 2 Liverpool Res 1 (Apr 5 2006)

[TLW]

Sunderland Res 2 LIVERPOOL RES 1

Report by Dave Usher at Durham FC

Scorer(s) - Adam Hammill Half Time - 1-1 Venue - The Archibald Stadium, Durham FC Date - Wed 5 Apr 2006 Star Man - Adam Hammill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A hotly disputed penalty nine minutes from time condemned Liverpool reserves to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Barclays FA Premier Reserve League North last night. Sunderland had taken the lead against the run of play, but the reds equalised nine minutes before the break through the excellent Adam Hammill.

The game looked to be heading for a draw following a dull second half, until reds’ keeper David Martin was adjudged to have tripped Sunderland substitute David Dowson inside the box. Full back Sean Taylor scored from the spot, but the Liverpool coaching staff were furious about the decision. From my vantage point the decision looked 50/50.

It was a soft penalty to give away because the lad was never going to score and there was no real danger, but it's debatable whether Martin actually caught him or not. I have to admit I thought it was a penalty when I first saw it, and from the referee's postition he probably felt he had no choice but to give it.

Defeat was harsh on Liverpool, who had been much the better side in a lively first half. Paco Herrera made a couple of changes to the side which had beaten Birmingham on Monday night, with James Smith replacing Godwin Antwi, and Hammill coming in for Ramon Calliste. Triallist Lee Tomlin was again a substitute, with Robbie Foy operating as a lone frontman supported by Guthrie.

The reds settled into their stride quickly and their first chance came after only three minutes when Hammill’s glorious crossfield ball dissected two defenders and found the run of Anderson. He cut inside and struck a low shot which was saved at full stretch by Sunderland keeper Trevor Carson.

Guthrie, Foy, Hammill and Anderson were all prominent in the opening stages as Liverpool controlled the game. Hobbs and Peltier were bossing the midfield, and the side were playing some excellent football.

Guthrie then released Anderson once more down the right, and from his cut back Jack Hobbs missed a great opportunity when he put the ball wide from close range. It was a great move and Hobbs had done ever so well to ghost into the box unmarked, but his finish was that of a centre half, which he is to be fair!

Guthrie was next to be denied by Carson after he’d done well to dispossess a defender in the penalty area and get a shot in. He really wanted to cut the ball back as the angle wasn't favourable, but there was no-one in support and he had to try and have a go himself. Carson had gone down early, but there was little room for Guthrie to aim for and the keeper smothered his effort.

It was all Liverpool early in the opening quarter of an hour, but the home side went in front with virtually their first attack. McFarlane crossed from the right and Murphy planted a free header past Martin. Good header to be fair, but the marking wasn't great.

Hobbs then toe-poked a shot against the post after Guthrie’s free kick had been spilled by Carson, this time Jack was just unfortunate and couldn't be blamed for the miss.

The equaliser arrived ten minutes before the break following a swift counter attack. Anderson contested a loose ball with the full back and won the header bravely. Sunderland had committed a lot of players forward, and once Anderson headed the ball into the path of Foy the reds had a two on one situation.

Foy carried the ball forward before picking the perfect moment to switch the ball across the box to Hammill, who controlled the ball calmly before stroking it neatly past Carson into the bottom corner. I believe it was his first goal for the ressies, although I could be mistaken there. It won't be his last.

The goal capped an excellent personal display by the young winger, who has recently moved from the Academy to train full time at Melwood. His close control was mesmerising at times, but more impressive was his ability to quickly switch the play to Anderson with long raking passes.

The second half failed to match the standards of the first, but Liverpool had more of the ball. Chances were few and far between however. Sunderland winger Davison hit the side netting after Martin had spilled a cross, and Anderson had a shot saved after being sent through by another great 40 yard ball by Hammill.

Tomlin was introduced on 66 minutes for the impressive Foy, who was unfortunate to be subbed as he played very well once more. By this stage however, Liverpool's grip on the game had slipped, and it was a much more even contest.

Guthrie was no longer having the saem impact on the game, and when he's not pulling the strings the side tend to struggle. He's very important to this team is Guthrie.

As a result of how the game had now gone, it was difficult for Tomlin to make any impression. He wasn't getting any kind of service, and spent most of his time simply chasing hopeful balls behind the defence. His workrate was good, and once more he won some aerial challenges he looked like he had no right to win, but it's impossible to make any real judgement on him based on the two reserve games he's played this week.

It was now a poor game in truth, and neither side looked like producing a winner, until the penatly incident.

Liverpool never looked like getting back on level terms after that, and they became increasingly desperate and stoped playing their football. Antwi was thrown on as an emergency frontman, and put himself about and won several headers, but Carson's goal was not thretened until deep into stoppage time when he flapped at a cross and as he lay on the floor Tomlin lobbed the ball back towards goal from 30 yards but it went wide.

Overall, a good first half and a poor second. Danny O'Donnell and James Smith were solid at the back, Peltier had an excellent first half but faded after the break, as did Guthrie. I'm giving Hammill the star man as he scored a fine goal and produced some moments of real quality.


Team: Martin; Barragan, Roque, O’Donnell, Smith; Anderson, Hobbs, Peltier (Antwi), Hammill; Guthrie (Calliste); Foy (Tomlin 66):