Liverpool Res 3 Wigan Res 1 (Apr 21 2008)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL RES 3 Wigan Res 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Racecourse Ground

Scorer(s) Andras Simon, Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer Half Time – 0-1 Venue – Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Date - Mon 21 April 2008 Star Man – Jay Spearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ressies ended an excellent League campaign with another comfortable win and impressive performance, as Wigan were swept aside in the second half of an entertaining game at the Racecourse Ground last night. Goals from Andras Simon, Jay Spearing and Jordy Brouwer secured the points, after a defensive slip by Daniel Ayala had given Wigan a shock early lead.

This was the fourth time this season the ressies had faced Wigan, and it was the first time Wigan had been in front. The reds won the previous league game 3-0, then there was a 1-1 draw in a friendly at the Academy, and last week the reds beat them 3-0 in a Lancashire Senior Cup game. Wigan had a slightly stronger side this time, with Cwyka and Olembe included, whilst Ablett used the game to experiment a little.

Pacheco and Bruna had shone against the Latics last week, but both were away on international duty. Ablett once again went with the 4-2-3-1 formation used by the first team, but surprisingly Spearing was on the right wing, and Simon was in the Gerrard role with Nemeth the lone frontman. I’d have thought Simon would be better suited to the forward role, Spearing is definitely happier playing central, and Nemeth could easily have filled the right sided role.

Still, it’s all about players getting experience in different roles I guess, and with the title already in the bag this was as good a time to try things out as any. It made for a poor start though, as Liverpool took a while to get to grips with the game and found themselves a goal down almost immediately.

There was little danger when Ayala took possession on the edge of the box, but he hesitated as he was closed down, seemingly as he thought Gulacsi was going to come out and deal with it, and Wigan’s lively frontman Thomas Kupisz nipped in to poke the ball into the net.

The next ten minutes or so were poor, as Liverpool didn’t get going and continued to look a bit shakey at the back. Even the normally solid Ronald Huth looked a bit edgy and was dwelling on the ball a little too much. Gradually though, the reds began to settle, as the calming influence in midfield of San Jose began to have an effect on the side.

Spearing had a chance to level when he ran onto a great through ball from San Jose, but the keeper was out well to smother his shot on the edge of the box. A minute later, San Jose exchanged passes with Spearing and strode through into the box. He had Nemeth square waiting for a tap in, but chose to ignore him and went himself. His shot was disappointingly wide.

Spearing sent a well flighted free kick to the back post where Huth had pulled away, and although the Paraguayan climbed well and got plenty of power in his header, the angle was difficult and it went straight to the keeper. Nemeth had a couple of good opportunities too, most notable when he dribbed into the box and had three players he could have picked out, but instead went on his own from a narrow angle and was denied by the keeper.


Wigan went in at half time with their noses in front, but the goal was coming from the reds, it was just a matter of time. Within a few minutes of the restart it had arrived, as Simon rose highest to head in Spearing’s fine corner kick.

The Hungarian was making his first league start for the reserves, having caught the eye with some nice cameo appearances off the bench, and although he wasn’t involved all that much, everything he did he did well I thought. He’s got a nice touch, and is a big strong lad. He’ll probably feature more next season.

A nice layoff from Simon presented Nemeth with a good opportunity, but he blazed the ball high over the bar.

Simon was withdrawn not long after, as Brouwer came off the bench to partner Nemeth as Ablett went to a 4-4-2. Scottish youngster Gary McKay-Steven was also brought on for his reserve debut, replacing Huth. That meant San Jose dropping into defence, and Spearing falling back into midfield to partner Plessis. Flynn switched from left wing to right, with McKay-Steven on the left.

Brouwer went close with a sweetly struck left foot shot from distance after the keeper had rushed out of his goal and produced a poor clearance. He was stranded way out of his goal as Brouwer controlled and fired the ball goalwards, but it drifted wide. Good effort though.

Spearing’s set pieces had caused Wigan a lot of problems, as invariably they landed on a Liverpool head. As he shaped up to take a free-kick 30 yards out on the left flank, no doubt everyone expected another pinpoint delivery into the centre. The keeper certainly did, as he edged his way across his goal to the far post. ‘Speo’ took him by surprise and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner at the near post. Gary Mac at the Pit style.

Wigan were reduced to ten men in strange circumstances late on, when left back Mustoe lunged into a challenge on the touchline and saw the ref reaching for his pocket. He got up, yelled ‘FUCK OFF!’ at the referee at the top of his voice, and began walking off to the tunnel. The ref called him back, and gave him a yellow.

The game was about to restart when the fourth official called the ref over and said something. The ref then came back on, booked the left winger before realising he had the wrong player, and then eventually gave the left back a second yellow and a red. Initially I thought the fourth official had said something about the dissent, as there’s this big ‘Respect’ campaign going on at the moment, and screaming ‘fuck off’ in the refs face is asking for trouble. It turns out that the player had been booked in the first half, and the ref had simply done a Graeme Poll.

Brouwer then compounded Wigan’s misery with a nice header from a McKay Steven cross, before Kupisz struck the bar with a powerful header from a Wigan set-piece.

The reds were the better side and deserved the points, and it’s been a brilliant season for Ablett’s squad. They’ve won the league, the Dallas Cup, and they are still in both the Liverpool and Lancashire Senior Cups. There’s also the game at Anfield against the winners of the Southern Reserve League, so the lads could conceivably lift five trophies this season.

Star man was between Spearing and San Jose. I’d go with San Jose in the first half, and Spearing in the second. Jay got a goal and an assist, so I’ll give it to him.


Team: Gulacsi; Kelly, Ayala, Huth (McKay-Steven), Insua; San Jose, Plessis; Spearing, Simon (Brouwer), Flynn; Nemeth (Lindfield):