| Thursday 11 October 2007 19:00
FA Premier League Reserves (Northern Division) |
| |
 |
|
 |
| "Manchester
United" |
1 - 1 |
"Liverpool" |
| |
(0-1) |
|
| |
| GOAL |
| Lee 83 |
|
Spearing 34 |
| |
1 Ron-Robert
Zieler
- Gray
- Adam Eckersley
- Richard Eckersley
- James Chester
- Kieran Lee
- Cleverley
- Sam Hewson
- Dong
- Chris Fagan
- Michael Barnes
Subs:
- Sean Evans
- Woods
- Drinkwater
- C Evans
- Danny Welbeck |
|
1 Charles Itandje
- Stephen Darby
- Emiliano Insua
- Mikel San Jose
- Jack Hobbs (c)
- Jay Spearing
- Lucas Leiva
- Damien Plessis
- Jordy Brouwer
- Raymond Putterill
- Sebastian Leto
Subs:
13 Dean Bouzanis
- Martin Kelly
- Ryan Crowther
- Ryan Flynn
- Craig Lindfield |
| |
| SUBSTITUTIONS |
Fagan (Welbeck 63)
Cleverley (Drinkwater 71) |
|
Putterill (Crowther 63)
Brouwer (Lindfield 75)
Plessis (Flynn 78) |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: O Langford |
| Booked: |
|
Booked: |
| VENUE |
|
RESERVE
MANAGERS |
Victoria (capacity 4,500)
Attendance: |
|
(Manchester U)
Gary Ablett (Liverpool) |
Notes:
- Match was played in stadium at Victoria,
Northwich Victoria FC. |
|
RESERVES HELD BY UNITED
Liverpool Reserves were left to rue a host of missed opportunities as a late goal
gave Manchester United a 1-1 draw in front of a packed crowd at the Victoria Stadium.
Jay Spearing's first-half effort had looked to have given the Reds a deserved
victory but a header seven minutes from time by Kieran Lee ensured honours ended even in
what was an entertaining Barclays Premier League North fixture.
The Reds dominated throughout the contest and could have wrapped up all three
points before half-time, but a combination of wasteful finishing and fine goalkeeping from
United stopper Ron-Robert Zieler restricted them to a 1-0 interval lead.
Ahead of the match Ablett chose to deploy a five-man midfield with both Spearing
and Lucas Leiva given licence to join Jordy Brouwer who was operating as a lone striker.
It was a decision that seemed to pay dividends as the Reds enjoyed the majority of
the possession.
After a cagey opening, in which United defender Richard Eckersley was lucky not to
be booked for a wild challenge on Jordy Brouwer, Liverpool had the first notable
opportunity of the match with Zieler producing a fine stop to keep out Lucas' 25-yard
free-kick.
It set the tone for the remainder of the half with Spanish defender San Jose
missing a gilt-edged chance to give Liverpool the lead on 15 minutes when he guided Ray
Putterill's left-wing corner over the bar from four yards out.
The visitors continued to play with authority and Sebastian Leto forced a fine save
out of Zieler before the hosts came close to making Liverpool pay for their profligacy
just after the half hour mark.
Michael Barnes powered down the left and his cut back created havoc in the Reds
penalty area with three heroic blocks keeping United at bay.
It was the wake-up call the visitors needed and within five minutes they took the
lead courtesy of a goal made in South America.
Leto's cross from the left found the Brazilian Lucas in the box and just as he
looked set to be closed down he produced a smart back heel to tee up Spearing who drilled
a low effort into the bottom right-hand corner.
United began the second period with a more attacking approach but it was Liverpool
who once again created the better openings with Zieler denying Ray Putterill on 54
minutes.
Brouwer then went close to doubling the Reds lead before United struck with their
first real opportunity of the half.
A cross from the left by Barnes was met by Kieran Lee who directed a fine header
beyond Charles Itandje, who had been a virtual spectator for much of the match.
Both sides then had chances to win it in a frantic finale but although sustitutes
Ryan Crowther and Craig Lindfield both went close and Lucas hit a post, it was not meant
to be for Gary Ablett and his side.
Manchester United Reserves: Zieler, Gray, Eckersley A, Eckersley R, Chester, Lee,
Cleverley (Drinkwater 71), Hewson, Dong, Fagan (Welbeck 63), Barnes.
Liverpool Reserves: Itandje, Darby, Insua, San Jose,
Hobbs (captain), Spearing, Lucas, Plessis (Flynn 78), Brouwer (Lindfield 75), Putterill
(Crowther 63), Leto.
Referee: Mr O Langford.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Jay Spearing. An
all-action display and a great goal.
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