NEWCASTLE UTD RES 0
LIVERPOOL RES 0
Premier Reserve League North
St.James' Park
Monday, February 18, 2008
Kick-off 7pm

Craig Hope reports from St.James' Park ...

TEENAGE goalkeeper Fraser Forster was Newcastle United's hero as Adam Sadler's second-string made it four games unbeaten following a goalless draw with Liverpool at St.James' Park.

The 19-year-old stopper is widely regarded as the club's most improved player over the past 18 months and it was easy to see why as he pulled off a string of top drawer saves to keep out the Merseysiders.

The visitors enjoyed much the better of the opening period and Argentinian full-back Emiliano Insua twice went close to breaking the deadlock during the early exchanges.

First, the on loan Boca Juniors youngster was denied by the finger tips of Forster in the 1st minute after a low drive from the angle of the penalty area.

And moments later he went close with another low shot after a powerful burst into the box, this time the strike skidding inches wide of the United upright.

Forster produced another save on 25 minutes, tipping over Ray Putterill's 20-yard half volley.

Ajax youth product Jordy Brouwer was then denied by the Toon goalie after being slipped in by Hungarian strike partner Krisztian Nemeth on 38 minutes.

United's only chance of the first-half fell to Wesley Ngo Baheng, the French forward steering an 18-yard side-footer just inches wide of the Reds post from a Jonny Godsmark pull-back two minutes before the break.

And there was still time for one more Forster save before the interval as the Hexham-born stopper fisted away a stinging Putterill strike from distance.

The Magpies emerged a far more positive outfit after half-time, James Troisi and Mark Doninger unlucky to see shots from outside the area evade Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi's target.

Ngo Baheng was then denied his first black and white goal after Gulacsi raced from his line to divert the frontman's low shot around the post.

But the moment of the night was undoubtedly Forster's double stop on 57 minutes.

Insua scampered away down the left flank before whipping over for Nemeth to turn goalwards from close range, Forster somehow kept out the point blank effort before jumping to his feet to push the Hungarian's second attempt onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.

Still the Reds searched for that much-coveted opener and were again repelled by the unbeatable Forster on 69 minutes, this time saving from Ryan Crowther after the winger had been slipped in on goal by Nemeth.

And there was still time for one more double stop, the 6ft 4ins keeper diving at the feet of Brouwer to claim after the Dutch striker had followed up his own snap shot from the edge of the area.

The watching Kevin Keegan would no doubt have been impressed with the young keeper, as he would with Hungarian defender Tamas Kadar who continues to look the part following his move to Tyneside last month.

NUFC: Fraser Forster, Callum Morris, Tamas Kadar, Mark Doninger, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Jonny Godsmark (Darren Lough, 76m), James Troisi, Ryan Donaldson, Wesley Ngo Baheng, James Marwood
Subs not used: Ole Soderberg, Patrick McLaughlin, James Taylor, Michael McCrudden.

LFC: Peter Gulacsi, Stephen Darby, Emiliano Insua, Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Ronald Huth, Damien Plessis, Ryan Crowther (Gerado Bruna, 76m), Ryan Flynn, Jordy Brouwer (Andras Simon, 84m) Krisztan Nemeth, Ray Putterill (Martin Kelly, 63m)
Subs not used: Dean Bouzanis, Daniel Ayala