Liverpool Reserves 2, Everton Reserves 3

Oct 15 2008

TWO goals from James Vaughan inspired Everton Reserves to come back from two goals down to defeat Liverpool 3-2 in the Barclays FA Premier Reserve League North last night at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The victory sent Andy Holden’s unbeaten Everton side to the top of the table.

But it was the third defeat in a row for Gary Ablett’s side, who were crowned champions last season.

Both Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and his Everton counterpart David Moyes, fresh from signing a new five-year contract at the club, were interested observers in the stands.

But after a low key first half, the game exploded to life in the second half as Liverpool went into a two-goal lead through goals from Jordy Brouwer and Gerardo Bruna.

Brouwer opened the scoring 10 minutes after the break with a simple finish after a fine move ended with a shot by midfielder Jay Spearing, being spilled by Everton keeper Carlo Nash, which allowed the Dutch striker his chance to put Liverpool ahead.

Bruna added a spectacular second 11 minutes later when he curled in a superb free-kick from the left, having been denied by the post seconds earlier.

Vaughan, who had seen a goal chalked off for offside, headed Everton back into the game two minutes later from substitute Hope Akpan’s cross from the right.

Then Lee Molyneux’s stunning free-kick levelled the scores on 69 minutes.

Both sides continued to trade blows before Vaughan landed the killer punch nine minutes from time when he beat Dean Bouzanis to an Anichebe through ball and lofted the ball into the empty net to make it 3-2.

Liverpool pressed for an equaliser, and went close through midfielder Spearing, Danny Pacheco and Brouwer, but Everton survived six minutes of stoppage time to hold on for victory.

LIVERPOOL RESERVES:@ Bouzanis, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Huth, Plessis, Duran, Spearing, Brouwer, Pacheco, Bruna (Flynn 78). Subs: Kelly, Gulacsi, Irwin, Ayala.

EVERTON RESERVES: @Nash, Irving, Molyneux, Barnett, McCarten, Gosling, Kissock, Wallace, Vaughan, Anichebe (Agard 84), Baxter (Akpan 62). Subs: Sinnott, Turner, Spencer.