LEGENDS ROLL BACK THE YEARS FOR CHARITY
A follow up to my exclusive report from RED1028
by Steve Hunter on Liverpool FC.tv - 21 March 2007
A superb goal from Phil Babb was the highlight of Liverpool old boys 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in a benefit match on Tuesday night.
The game was a re-match of the 1990 FA Cup semi-final that saw the Eagles beat Liverpool 4-3 in a thrilling encounter, and the purpose of the night was to raise funds for the Geoff Thomas Foundation in aid of leukaemia.
A strong Liverpool team included the likes of John Barnes, Ian Rush, Ronnie Whelan, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp, while Palace fielded the likes of Charlton manager Alan Pardew, Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, their current boss Peter Taylor and their chairman Simon Jordan.
Liverpool took the lead when Redknapp set up Babb who produced a superb finish with the outside of his left foot. However, Palace equalised just before half-time with a fine header from Mark Bright.
DJ Spoony, a recent addition to Liverpoolfc.tv's Celebrity Kop Club got his dream chance in the second half to play with his heroes when he came on as a substitute for Barnes.
Liverpool team: Bruce Grobbelaar, Rob Jones, Phil Babb, Michael Thomas, Ronnie Whelan (Nigel Spackman), Gary Gillespie (Howie Gayle), Steve McManaman (John Durnin), Ray Houghton, Ian Rush, John Barnes (DJ Spoony), Jamie Redknapp.
And from Crystal Palaces' official website...
A fantastic night was had by all at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night, as a crowd of 5114 gathered to see a re-match of the classic 1990 FA Cup semi-final epic between Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
The Eagles won the original tie at Villa Park when Alan Pardew netted an extra time winner to make the scoreline 4-3 although there wasn't quite as many goals this time, as it ended all square at 1-1.
Raising funds for the Geoff Thomas Foundation in aid of Leukaemia, the game was played in a tremendous spirit throughout although it has to be said, at a much slower pace than the original tie nearly 17 years ago!
It was great to see some of the old faces back at Selhurst Park and whilst most of the physiques had noticeably altered on a number of the returning figures, the spirit and heart of 1990 was visibly still pumping.
Chairman Simon Jordan was also granted a starting berth on the right flank for Palace and needed little invitation to show his crossing ability and vision, whilst the likes of Gareth Southgate and Kit Symons made a return to the Selhurst pitch despite not being involved in the original tie.
As in the first game, Liverpool started the brighter of the two sides and the first save of the game came when Michael Thomas curled a shot at goal, forcing Perry Suckling into a smart dive and save to his left.
Shortly after that, the impressive Jamie Redknapp came even closer when his chip over Suckling came crashing back off the crossbar, after previously seeing the Eagles stopper catch an earlier attempted lob.
At the other end, Phil Barber shot over after being picked out in the area by Jordan's cross from the right following earlier good work from Pardew, who was replaced by Tony Finnighan shortly after.
It was the Reds who took the lead though and it was a fine goal to open their account, as Redknapp's pass to the left picked out Barnes and he produced a majestic finish with the outside of his left foot to loft a shot over Suckling and into the top corner.Palace were level just before the break though and it was an equally good strike as the opener. The move started when Jordan skilfully waltzed inside Steve McManaman before reversing a pass for John Humphrey. His centre was inch perfect for Mark Bright, who headed powerfully past Bruce Grobbelaar at the Holmesdale Road End to send the sides in level at half time.
The second half saw more substitutions as the older legs began to get tired, although Peter Taylor defied the years in the second half showing some fine forward running and directing the play from midfield.
The threat on both goals was vastly diminished and with the likes of Ian Rush, McManaman, Bright and Gray all off the pitch that was no surprise, although 'Pool substitute John Durnin had a decent opportunity when DJ Spoony crossed and he could only touch his shot wide of the target.
With time running out, Palace had a great chance when substitute Dougie Freedman found himself free in the area. He looked to take the ball past Grobbelaar, only for the Zimbabwean to make a scrambling save at his feet.
Palace fitness coach Mark Hulse then sent a fierce right foot shot narrowly wide of the target, with Grobbelaar struggling to get across his line and the Eagles looking to finish the stronger of the teams.
That was the last of the chances though and proceedings were brought to an end shortly afterwards, with no extra time to be played on this occasion, no doubt to the relief of most of the players on the pitch!
Palace: Suckling (Woodman), Humphrey (Cannon) Dyer (Thorn) Young (Southgate) Symons, Pardew (Finnighan) Jordan (Taylor) Thomas, Bright (Freedman) Gray (Ashton) Barber (Hulse).
Liverpool: Grobbelaar, Jones, Redknapp, Thomas, Babb, Gillespie (Gayle), McManaman (Durnin), Houghton, Rush, Barnes (DJ Spoony), Whelan (Spackman).
I got 7 autographs from 15 Liverpool players - not bad!
