Reserves v Burnley

[MrsB]

'We won't throw in the towel'

Author: Steve Hunter, 16th Apr 2010 - LiverpoolFC.tv

John McMahon is refusing to write off Liverpool Reserves' title challenge despite seeing Manchester United going nine points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North.

Despite the 1-0 defeat to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in midweek, the Reds still have two games in hand and take on Burnley at Turf Moor tonight - a match you can watch exclusively live online from 6.55pm.

With four games to go, McMahon insists there are still plenty of points to play for as his side chase title No.19.

"We won't give up and we will keep fighting right until the end," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We have lost our last two games and Manchester United are in a very good position, but in football you never know what can happen.

"The big message from me to the lads in the dressing room at the end of the United game was for them to keep their heads up and let's not make this a habit of losing games.

"Losing is never acceptable at this football club so after losing our last two games we have got to get out of that habit and beat Burnley on Friday.

"From the line-up that we started the season with we have lost six or seven players and results have been mixed.

"Some of the lads like Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby, who are good players to have in your team, have gone on loan and, credit to them, they are doing really well at Leicester and Swindon. It's a great experience for them.

"Dani Pacheco is still away with Spain U19s and has missed a lot of games for us recently so we have given a chance to the young lads like Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Cooper.

"We have to give credit to these young boys. They have a great attitude, they want to learn and are working hard."

Back in October, a magical stoppage time free-kick from Dani Pacheco gave the Reds a 1-0 win over a hard working Burnley side, and McMahon is expecting another tough game tonight.

"It will be good for the lads to play at Turf Moor after the pitch problems Burnley have had at Accrington Stanley," he added.

"They are a well-organised side and it will be a tough game. We will have a similar squad to the United game and hopefully we can apply ourselves and put in a good performance."

[Shaggy]

Liverpool Reserves slipped to a third consecutive defeat as they were beaten 3-1 by Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday night - leaving their title hopes hanging by a thread.

Alex MacDonald gave the hosts an early lead when he deflected Neil Yadolahi's powerful header beyond Martin Hansen from yards out.

Frederic Nimani made it two soon after following a mistake by the Reds' goalkeeper before Nikola Saric reduced the arrears with a smart finish, benefitting from good play by David Amoo.

However, a costly error by Chris Mavinga sent Nimani through on goal, with the striker making no mistake just before the interval, and the visitors were unable to muster a second-half fightback as Burnley saw out the game to claim the win.

The result leaves Liverpool nine points behind Manchester United with just three matches remaining.

The Reserves went into the clash in Lancashire determined to return to winning ways following consecutive defeats to Wigan Athletic and United.

The 1-0 reversal against United allowed the Old Trafford side to open up a nine point cushion on Liverpool at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North - though with Reds having two games in hand at the start of the day, McMahon insisted no-one at Anfield would be throwing in the towel.

And the visitors fired a statement of intent inside four minutes. David Amoo flicked Gerardo Bruna's pass into the run of Nikola Saric, who drilled narrowly wide of the post from the edge of the area.

However, Burnley took the lead in the seventh minute as Yadolahi powered a header towards Martin Hansen's goal from a corner, which found the back of the net via a deflection off MacDonald.

It was 2-0 within moments when Hansen flapped at a corner, allowing Nimani to head home from close-range, with Steven Irwin's attempts to clear off the line ultimately in vein.

Hansen went some way to atoning for his error, blocking Nimani's low strike following a mazy surge into the box by the on-loan Monaco striker.

Nimani was causing all sorts of problems and it was his cross that found Benjamin Hoskin, whose stinging volley was turned around the base of the post by Liverpool's goalkeeper.

It was proving to be an open contest and Alex Kacaniklic perhaps should have done better when Francisco Duran's piercing through ball played him in behind Jake McEneaney, though his final shot was off target.

The whirlwind start showed no signs of letting up as the Reds pulled one back on 20 minutes.

Amoo used his strength and pace to hold off two Burnley challenges down the right and delivered a dangerous low cross to the near post, which was expertly converted by Saric.

Back came Burnley and Christopher Anderson thumped a header over the crossbar after more good work by Nimani.

Saric felt he should have been awarded a penalty as half-time edged closer. Latching on to a ball forward, the Dane attempted to control inside the box and though his first touch took the ball away from goal, he was sent crashing to the ground by Kevin Long's barge.

It proved a key moment as Burnley extended their lead when Chris Mavinga's attempted header towards his own goal from the half way line sent Nimani bearing down on goal. The French U21 international retained his composure to slot beyond Hansen.

Burnley started the second half in similar fashion - with Nimani again at the hub. This time his deep cross sort out Adam Kay and the midfielder struck an effort goalwards, only to see Alex Cooper produce a fine block.

However, the tempo of the game significantly dropped off after such a busy opening 45 - McMahon opted to introduce Finnish hotshot Lauri Dalla Valle into the action just after the hour mark in an attempt to bolster the Reds' cutting edge.

It was fellow substitute, Nicolaj Kohlert, who had Liverpool's best chance of the second period on 75 minutes when the Danish starlet nodded an Irwin centre wide when well positioned.

Amoo nodded against the crossbar from a corner as time ebbed away, but McMahon's side were unable to test Daniel MacDonald as Burnley continued to control the game.

In fact it was the Clarets who looked the more dangerous as they condemned Liverpool to their second defeat of the week.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: David Amoo - Liverpool's biggest threat and his powerful runs posed problems for Burnley.

Burnely Reserves: Daniel MacDonald, Benjamin Hoskin, Jake McEneaney, Christopher Anderson, Kevin Long, Neil Yadolahi, Adam Kay (Joe McKee 88), Alex-Ray Harvey, Frederic Nimani, Wes Fletcher (Dominic Knowles 81), Alex MacDonald (Michael King 46).

Subs: Diego Penny, Curtis Woods.

Liverpool Reserves: Martin Hansen, Steven Irwin, Alex Cooper, Victor Palsson, Chris Mavinga, Francisco Duran (Nicolaj Kohlert 58) Nikola Saric (Jordy Brouwer 71), David Amoo, Gerardo Bruna, Damien Plessis, Alex Kacaniklic (Lauri Dalla Valle 65).

Subs: Jakub Sokolik, Ken Smedley, Deale Chamberlain.

[Pablo]

It's a complete joke how little game time Ken Smedley has got this season for the ressies

[Shaggy]

It's a complete joke how little game time Ken Smedley has got this season for the ressies

[Lee]

Poor Ken Smedley