REDS OFF BOTTOM AS BRUNA SINKS HULL
James Carroll 23 April 2009
Liverpool reserves moved off the bottom of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Hull City at North Ferriby United FC.
The Reds move ahead of the Tigers in the table thanks to a superior goal difference.
Goals from Damien Plessis and Gerardo Bruna sealed the win after Jamie Devitt had given the home side a first-half lead from the penalty spot.
It was a deserved victory for the Reds, who will now look to end their campaign on a high against Newcastle United next week.
Gary Ablett made four changes to the team that lost against Bolton Wanderers last time out.
Robbie Threlfall was handed a start at left-back for his first reserve appearance of the season following his loan spell with Hereford United. In fact, the Scouser's last run out for the Reds' second string came in the second-leg of the Youth Cup Final with Manchester United in 2007.
Damien Plessis returned to the centre of midfield while Ryan Crowther and Gary Mackay-Steven were also drafted into the starting line-up.
There was a place amongst the substitutes for Swiss international Philipp Degen.
On a pleasant evening in the quaint town of North Ferriby, Liverpool kicked off hoping to put Monday's disappointment behind them and leapfrog their hosts in the table.
However, Hull fired an early warning as striker Ryan Kendall brought a save out of Martin Hansen with an effort from the edge of the box after less than two minutes on the clock to force a succession of corners for the home team.
It was from their second corner that Godwin Antwi just cleared his own crossbar as he attempted to head away a ball back into the box.
Liverpool's first chance of note arrived in the tenth minute when Crowther's corner was headed over the bar by Andreas Simon from close-range. It was a genuine let off for a Hull side that had enjoyed a sprightly opening.
The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away moments later when Crowther skipped away from Joe Lamplough into the area, only to go down under the challenge of the Tigers' left-back. The referee instantly waved play on.
Hull were inches away from taking the lead with a well worked corner on 15 minutes as Nicky Featherstone's hooked effort from a half-cleared corner just shaved the upright.
It was end to end stuff as Macaky-Steven then drilled wide of the near post following some good build-up playing involving Jay Spearing and Simon as Liverpool took their turn to threaten.
However, Hull were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes. Lamplough's ball into the box was only headed half-clear by Antwi, allowing Devitt to collect possession. The winger skipped to the area, but was brought down under a challenge by Threlfall.
It was to be Devitt to take the spot-kick and he made no mistake, calmly dispatching the ball into the bottom corner, sending Hansen the wrong way in the process.
It could have been worse for Ablett's men seconds later as Devitt's accurate cross picked out Mark Cullen, but the striker's header from ten yards was straight down the throat of Hansen.
Cullen was left to rue his miss as, with just two minutes of the half remaining, Plessis marked his return to the team with a thumping strike from distance.
Collecting possession just inside the Tigers' half, the former Lyon man strode forward before drilling a low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tom Woodhead into the bottom right corner to send the two sides into the interval on level terms.
Gerardo Bruna almost ensured the Reds picked up where they left off at the start of the second period as the forward's swerving strike flew narrowly over the crossbar.
The Argentina-born forward did find the back of the net on 57 minutes, however.
A lightening quick Liverpool break from a Hull corner saw Spearing surge into the opponents half. The Reds captain cleverly delayed his pass before playing the ball into space, allowing Bruna to go clear on goal and dispatch a low shot under the exposed Woodhead.
The second half was a much more open affair and Simon tried his luck on a couple of occasions prior to Bruna steering a shot into the side netting after fine work by Threlfall.
With twenty minutes remaining, Degen was handed a run out by Ablett, replacing Mackay-Steven to take up a role on the right of midfield following his recovery from injury, as a flurry of substitutions disrupted the rhythm of the game.
Liverpool were forced to see out the dying moments with ten men after Spearing left the field to receive treatment following a typically robust challenge.
However, Hull were unable to trouble Hansen as the visitors claimed all three points.
The result, the Reds's first league win since January, sees Ablett's side move ahead of Hull by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Liverpool will wrap up their league campaign with a home fixture against Newcastle next Wednesday evening.
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Mikel San Jose.
Hull City reserves: Tom Woodhead, Daniel East, Joe Lamplough, Nicky Featherstone, Steve Gardner (Nathan Hanley), Liam Cooper, Jamie Devitt, Tom Cairney (John Leonard), Ryan Kendall, Mark Cullen, Will Atkinson. Subs not used: Ben Hallam, Sonny Bradley, Gavan Holohan.
Liverpool reserves: Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Robbie Threlfall, Mikel San Jose, Godwin Antwi, Damien Plessis, Ryan Crowther, Jay Spearing, Andras Simon (Vitor Flora), Gerardo Bruna (Victor Palsson), Gary Mackay-Steven (Philipp Degen). Subs not used: Krisztian Nemeth, Deale Chamberlain.
Made up for the lads tonight, that was a good win, coming off the back of the Bolton game, they played particularly well in the second half and deserved the points.
For me Ryan Crowther was Liverpool's man of the match, I thought he played exceptionally well, glad to see Degen get a run out, he didn't do very much but he must be relieved to come off the pitch unaided
which is more than can be said about our poor little Jay he had to be carried off the pitch with help from the trainer and his good pal Stephen Darby.
Let's hope the lads can win their final game of the season against Newcastle next week.
