Liverpool 2 Middlesboro 0
The Reds reserves returned to winning ways in the league at last with a comfortable 2-0 win over Middlesboro. David Ngog came in to the reserve side and bagged both goals from Dani Pacheco assists.
The Reds got the game started at Warrington with Jay Spearing taking up a centre back role alongside Mikel San Jose whilst captain Stephen Darby played left back. Dani Pacheco dropped in to midfield behind a strike partnership of Nemeth and Ngog.
Middlesboro had the first chance of the evening when Craddock got in behind Mendy but from a tight angle shot in to the side netting.
At the other end the Reds took their time to get going as an attacking force overall but Pacheco seemed to enjoy his forward midfield role. He went close to bagging a goal on sixteen minutes but his shot went just wide of the post with Steele at full stretch.
On nineteen minutes Boro had another chance when again they beat Mendy who does seem a bit at sixes and sevens at times when it comes to defending which is a worry for him. Boro got goal side of Mendy and fired the ball across the area although it passed everyone by and the return cross was grabbed by Gulacsi.
Nabir El Zhar blazed a shot high and wide when he was well placed to shoot after being found by a combination of Ngog and Nemeth. A few minutes later and Nemeth got clear but as he was closed down his shot on goal was deflected away by the keeper.
Steele was having a decent game in the Boro goal and he was again in action on twenty eight minutes when he saved a Pacheco free kick. Five minutes later and he again kept the score at nil nil when he saved at point blank range from a Nemeth header.
The Reds were looking quite decent going forward but couldn't find a way past Steele. They got to half time still at nil nil.
Steve Irwin came out as a second half sub for Vincent Weijl who just hadn't got in to the game at all.
Just two minutes in tot he second half and Nemeth tried to send Ngog through on goal but the French striker was pulled back by Williams. The linesman spotted the offence and the defender was duly carded.
On fifty three minutes Ngog flicked a ball on and Nemeth got in behind but as he was being closed down again he shot on goal but it was weak and easy for the keeper to gather.
The opening goal came on fifty eight minutes. Pacheco came inside from the right and slid a perfect ball to Ngog who turned quickly and poked the ball past Steele before he could react.
It took just six minutes for the Reds to double their lead. Again it was Pacheco at the heart of it as he chipped a ball over the Boro defence for Ngog and he got their just before Steele and lifted the ball over him and in to the unguarded net.
The lead was deserved as Middlesboro really hadn't offered too much as an attacking unit, especially compared to the Reds although they were hardly playing vintage stuff.
Sub Andras Simon, on for Nemeth had a couple of good efforts to extend the lead but couldn't beat the keeper. The closest came with ten minutes to play when Simon stung the fingers of Steele with an excellent shot. The save was even better though.
The game also saw a debut for Vitor Flora after his paperwork had finally come through. He didn't get too much in to the game but did have a couple of shots on goal - both easy for the keeper but it will be a few games before we really see if he's got what it takes in my mind.
After three added minutes the ref blew for time and the Reds could finally celebrate a victory. It's been a while and a few terrible games since that happened really. This one hadn't been a great spectacle but it was a big improvement.
MotM : Dani Pacheco - the advanced midfield role really suited him and with two strikers to hit he did well.
Liverpool Gulacsi, Mendy, Darby (c), San Jose, Spearing, Plessis, El Zhar, Pacheco (Flora 77), Ngog, Nemeth (Simon 69), Weijl (Irwin 45)
Unused Subs Hansen, Palsson
Goal Ngog 2
Middlesboro Steele, Corker, Bennett, Smallwood, Williams, Robinson, Gal-Andrezly (Cronesberry 62), Saiko (Gray 72), Craddock, Porritt (Martin 76), Franks
Unused Subs Filler, Shead
Referee W Barratt
Att 340
Venue Halliwell Jones
copyright : Liverweb 2009
