Liverpool Res 0 Man City Res 1 (Aug 29 2006)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL RES 0 Man City Res 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Racecourse Ground

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Date - Tue 29 Aug 2006 Star Man - Godwin Antwi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Ablett’s first game in charge of Liverpool’s reserve side ended in defeat as Manchester City claimed an undeserved win at the Racecourse Ground last night. Neither side did enough to win the game, but the young reds had more of the ball and created the better openings. City created little, but Michael Johnson’s stunning half volley from 20 yards was enough to secure the win for the visitors.

The reserves may have a new coach, but the line up was a familiar one. Ablett went with the formation used by his predecessor Paco Herrera for much of last season, with Danny Guthrie operating behind a lone striker, who on this occasion was Austrian Besian Idrizaj. Jack Hobbs was back in defence after playing the whole of last season in midfield, and Ablett included six players from last season’s victorious FA Youth Cup winning side.

City of course, were the side the reds beat in the final, and eight of their starting line up played in those games, so both sides were familiar to eachother. Perhaps that was why the first half was such a non-event.

Neither side ever looked like scoring, and it was 24 minutes before there was any kind of goal attempt, Adam Hammill hitting a shot a couple of yards wide from long range. Guthrie went somewhat closer ten minutes later when he curled the ball inches wide after Idrizaj had won the ball on the edge of the City box.

Idrizaj then had a couple of decent effort of his own. Firstly he brought a routine save from the keeper with a low shot after doing well to create space for himself, and then in first half stoppage time he saw a much better effort just tipped around the post by the keeper.

City only had one real chance of note, but Grimes blasted it over the bar from 12 yards.

It really was a disappointing half, and Idrizaj was often left too isolated. The Austrian just doesn’t look suited to playing the lone striker role, as it negates his strengths and exposes his weaknesses. He isn’t the quickest, and his hold up play isn’t the best. He does have quick feet and packs a powerful shot, but in this system he rarely gets to show that.

On numerous occasions Guthrie collected the ball in space and looked to play the ball in behind, but Idrizaj didn’t even come close to getting on the end of any of them. That was partly due to him being a little slow off the mark, and partly due to the passes not being right. Basically, Guthrie needed a mare natural front runner ahead of him with a bit of pace, and Idrizaj needs a strike partner. The balance looked all wrong.

The second half was no different, although Guthrie really seemed to step up his game after the break. His passing was crisper and he got on the ball much more, but still chances were few and far between. Once more there was little goalmouth action, and looking at my notes now, the first thing I wrote down in the second was City’s goal which came on 65 minutes. So basically nothing happened for 20 minutes until the goal.

To be fair to City, it was a fine goal. Liverpool cleared a set piece to the edge of the box, where Johnson arrived to meet it with his left foot on the half volley. The ball took a slight nick of a reds defender on it’s way to fizzing into the top corner of Dave martin’s net.

Liverpool’s response was good, and they really should have grabbed an equaliser. Guthrie had a shot saved, and then Hobbs had an effect deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Hobbs again got a shot in but this one was hacked off the line.

Hobbs was the reds biggest goal threat, and his presence in the City penalty area from set pieces really unsettled the visitors. With 15 minutes remaining, Ablett finally introduced Craig Lindfield to partner Idrizaj, with Ryan Flynn making way. The young Scot played quite well in the middle of midfield, but someone had to be sacrificed to get another striker on and it was him.

With three minutes left Hammill swung in a corner from the right wing that was met by the inrushing Hobbs. He should have scored, but directed his header wide. Peltier went close to an equaliser in the last minute when he drilled in a powerful free kick from around 40 yards that the keeper just about kept out at full stretch, and Hobbs headed over from another Hammill corner deep into stoppage time.

Defeat was harsh, but the reds had enough opportunities in the second half to get at least a draw. City managed only one shot on target, but it was enough.

Picking a star man wasn’t easy, as going forward no-one really impressed too much. Guthrie was easily the pick of the forward players, more so because the others were all so quiet. Anderson in particular just couldn’t get into the game, and Hammill had one of his more frustrating nights where not much went right.

The best performers were all at the back. Hobbs was excellent in defence, and had he been a little more effective at the other end the reds would probably have won. Steven Darby and James Smith were solid in the full back positions, but for me Godwin Antwi was the pick of the back four and I’m giving him the star man. His distribution could be better, but defensively he missed nothing. The lad is a rock.

The side look to be short in attacking areas, but with half a dozen trial-lists at the club and at least two of them definitely joining, the squad will hopefully be stronger in time for the next game.


Team: Martin, Darby, Antwi, Hobbs, Smith; Anderson, Peltier, Flynn (Lindfield), Hammill; Guthrie; Idrizaj: