FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 26th January 2008 @ 3pm
Anfield
A game of two halves as Liverpool suffered a first half shock against Non League side Havant & Waterlooville. A mis-firing reds side were in a losing position twice in the first half as the amateur side came out gunning for glory in what must have been not only their FA Cup Final, but also their World Cup Final rolled in to one.
Martin Skrtel was handed his full debut, and had an absolute shocker – at fault for both of Havant’s first half goals as the non-league side put in a superb effort in the early stages of the game. However the reds turned in a more professional performance in the second half and put the lights out on the potential fairytale.
Richard Paquette scored Havant’s opener in a set-piece move. A free kick was despatched neatly by his head. The Liverpool fightback didn’t happen and H & W found themselves with the opportunity of doubling the lead after nerves in Liverpool’s defence.
The reds couldn’t pass to save their lives but eventually Lucas curled a brilliant effort past the keeper to put the reds on level terms.
Within four minutes a mistake by Finnan allowed Potter to get a shot in, going in off the hapless figure of Skrtel. Liverpool continued to make some sloppy mistakes and poorly timed passes became the norm – just before half time however the reds drew level once more. A Pennant cross was driven home by Yossi Benayoun and the reds trudged off at half time feeling considerably fortunate.
The second half arrived and it was one way traffic. Liverpool had found their passing rhythm thanks to the half-time oranges and were trotting around the field with the air of dominance many expected from the first minute.
Two goals within three minutes effectively ended the tie – both from Yossi Benayoun who complete his second hat-trick of the season to leave the reds 4-2 up.
Havant were playing counter-attacking stuff in the second half and the game petered out until Peter Crouch popped up with another late goal to give the scoreline an air of semi-respectability.
The Havant players were loudly applauded off the field by all four sides of Anfield and Liverpool progress to the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Team News
Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Skrtel, Hyypia (Carragher 84), Riise, Pennant, Mascherano (Gerrard 87), Lucas, Benayoun (Kuyt 72), Crouch, Babel.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Torres.
Goals: Lucas 27, Benayoun 44, 56, 59, Crouch 90.
Havant and W: Scriven, Smith, Jordan, Sharp, Warner (Taggart 40), Harkin, Wilkinson (Oatway 74), Collins, Potter, Pacquette (Slabber 57), Baptiste.
Subs Not Used: Steven Gregory, Taylor . Booked: Wilkinson.
Goals: Pacquette 8, Skrtel 31 og.
Att: 42,566
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
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