A View from the Asda Family Stand

Barry C reports.

For our older readers Knowsley Road will be a ‘Cadburys Caramel’ sort of place, ‘standing only’ on 3 sides of the ground (2 of them covered) and a big Grandstand with wooden seats and a corrugated iron roof. It’s the sort of place we used to watch footy from. For the youngsters it’s a far cry from the palatial splendour of our modern soccer stadia, a view of the good old, bad old days depending on your point of view. For reserve games they open one standing area (the uncovered one) and the Grandstand.

As I take my seat in the Asda Family Stand it’s a joy to be surrounded by youngsters (must be careful what I say here football people and children don’t rix (sorry mix) too well at the moment) excited at the prospect of seeing the LFC stars of the future, alongside one or two of GH’s class of 2000. The reserves is a family occasion, and a damn site cheaper than the real thing. Free with a season ticket, a quid for the kids and three for the adults.

I was sat right behind the director’s box just to see who was watching, as it happened the Bradford officials made an appearance first. Old men in cloth caps and I’ll swear I saw one of them with a whippet. The LFC dignitaries included Messer’s Moores, Parry, Yates, Thompson and Le Tactical Genius himself. A good turnout for a game between the table topping Reds and second placed Bradford, who came into this game on the back of a six game winning streak.

Djimi has now captained LFC Reserves for the last four games. We’ve won them all scoring 12 and conceding 1, this despite more senior pros like Staunton and Murphy playing alongside him. LFC played the first half with a howling gale at their backs and made full use of it, Layton Maxwell getting his second of the season from Richie Partridge’s cross after two minutes. Three minutes later and the game was already beyond Bradford as Vedgy and Spud carved a hole in the defence for Heggems first goal for the reserves. The third goal almost had the referee and linesman celebrating without a Daily Manc photographer in site, Barry Davies would certainly have uttered an ‘Oh I say’ as Danny Murphy finished a sweeping move involving Richie Partridge and Alan Navarro.

Just before half time came a double blow. A change in the wind direction and the safe haven of the stand became ‘Ice Station Zebra’. To add insult to injury the tannoy announced that the refreshment people had ‘let us down’ (usually a caravan behind the stand with the most miserable woman serving you could imagine), so no warming cup of coffee. My pathetic plea to Ron Yates to bring us up a flask also fell on deaf ears. I’ll remember the next time he wants me to piss in his radiator when it runs dry.

The second-half into the wind saw the reds knock it about even more. Richie Partridge is going to be a superstar. Bradford’s hapless full back had a torrid time and given better finishing Richie would have scored 3 or 4 in the game. Chilling Note: Where have we seen this before? Give you a clue, Senor floppy hair, 50 grand a week. One thing that pleased me about this performance was the way the first teamers (Heggem, Staunton, Murphy) all played as if there lives depended on it. Heggem was outstanding and but for Richie P’s wonder show he would have got my MOM.

On a sour note John Newby was stretchered off shortly after Maxwell made it 4-0 from the spot. He was sitting up on the stretcher but it didn’t stop a worried Thommo going straight down for a look. Best reserve performance I’ve seen this term against a strongish Bradford side including Neil Redfearn, Robbie Blake, Lee Mills and an overweight, unfit, ex-manc coke snorter. Other performances of note, well, Djimi is going to be a star as I feel is his quietly impressive central defensive partner Eifion Jones. LFC Performance: 9 out of 10

Next week just for you I’m going to Durham City’s ground where Sunderland reserves await the Reds.

Block 106 Row 22 Seat 69 (Barry C)