[tr][td=1,1,357]Gerardo Bruna's sublime first-half strike was not enough to secure victory for a Liverpool XI as they were held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stockport County. [/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1,487]The Argentinean finished off a flowing move midway through the first period to give Gary Ablett's side the advantage but was denied the joy of being the Reds' match winner when Michael Raynes' headed in a second-half equaliser for the hosts.
It was no more than the League One outfit deserved after giving an inexperienced Reds side a severe test throughout what was an entertaining encounter.
Prior to kick-off the Hatters paraded the play-off trophy won during last season's successful promotion campaign and it seemed to invigorate their play in the opening exchanges as they manufactured first chance of the game on nine minutes.
Michael Rose's hooked cross from the left was only half-cleared into the path of Leon McSweeney who composed himself before drilling a ferocious effort against the near post from a tight angle.
The home side continued to have the better of the opening exchanges and keeper Dean Bouzanis had to be alert to claim Peter Thompson's dangerous low ball into the area while McSweeney's devilish centre from the right somehow evaded both County strikers in the six yard box, with the goal gaping.
The young Reds were struggling to come to terms with the physical nature of the game and so it came as something of a surprise to everyone inside Edgeley Park when they took the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes.
Debutant Vincent Weijl outfoxed McSweeney down the left before sending over a magnificent ball to the far post that Ryan Flynn nodded down for Gerardo Bruna, who drilled home from the edge of the box.
It was the best move of the match up to that point and once again highlighted the quality Gary Ablett's youngsters are capable of producing.
The hosts responded and could have been level within a minute of the restart but Bouzanis made a magnificent save to keep out Thompson after the forward was sent clear of the Reds defence.
Anthony Pilkington then went close just after the half hour mark with an audacious volley from 25 yards while Carl Baker miscued his header when left completely unmarked at the far post.
The hosts continued to turn the screw throughout the remainder of the first-half but despite their best efforts the Reds rearguard held firm and they went in at the break with their lead still intact.
The League One side must have felt an injustice to be trailing as they kicked off the second-half and it could have been much worse for them on 50 minutes.
Jordy Brouwer combined brilliantly with Bruna to send the Argentine forward clear, but his clipped finish was easily blocked by County stopper Owain fon Williams.
It was the wake-up call the hosts were looking for and they should have been level three minutes later but Thompson somehow contrived to fire the ball against the post from six yards out after Pilkington had got to the right hand byline and cut the ball back to him.
The warning signs were there for Liverpool but they did not take heed of them and on 63 minutes the Hatters drew level when Michael Raynes was left unmarked at the far post to nod home.
Substitute Nathan Eccleston and Brouwer had great chances to win it for the Reds late on but it wasn't meant to be and both sides were left to enjoy a share of the spoils.
Stockport County: Williams, Rose (McNulty 65), Owen, Pilkington (Green 83), Dicker (Blizzard 65), Thompson, Baker (McNeil 65), Rowe, Raynes, Turnbull, McSweeney (Vincent 77). Unused subs: Astbury, Havern.
Liverpool XI: Bouzanis (Hansen 46), Kelly, Huth, San Jose, Ayala (Eccleston 46), Spearing (Metcalf 83), Flynn, Bruna (Simon 56), Lindfield, Weijl (Kacaniklic 56), Brouwer (Amoo 77). Unused subs: Nemeth.
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Martin Kelly. A superb defensive display from the youngster. [/td][/tr] |
發表於 2008-7-27 12:54 AM
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