Merseyside’s most handsome football trophy will adorn an Anfield trophy cabinet for another season, after Krisztian Nemeth’s late strike saw Liverpool Reserves claim the Liverpool Senior Cup last night.
But the part-timers from the Liverpool County FA – champions Waterloo Dock – gave their illustrious full-time rivals all the trouble they could handle in a close contest at Marine’s Arriva Stadium.
Their resistance was broken in the 76th minute, when Hungarian international striker Nemeth stabbed home from close range.
The goal gave Liverpool the impressive piece of silverware for the 39th occasion, but Waterloo Dock won plenty of friends in their first appearance in the final of the 127 year old tournament.
The County FA champions had chances, but Mikel San Jose made a last ditch block to deny hero of the semi-final Leighton McGivern, then Dock skipper Anthony Battle guided the best chance of the half wide of the target. It was a free header from just outside the six yard box and the midfielder’s anguished expression as the ball flashed wide said it all.
The Reds reserves have endured an unhappy season but they made a bright start and could have gone ahead after just five minutes, Nemeth spurning a good chance.
Dutch youngster Vincent Weijl's surging run created another opening for Nemeth and the Hungarian tested Dock keeper Ryan Brookfield with a low 25 yarder.
The dangerous McGivern then forced Dean Bouzanis into action after a clever turn and shot.
As the opening half came to close Liverpool gave one last warning of their quality when Dani Pacheco, the highly rated young striker signed from Barcelona's youth academy, curled a clever free-kick inches past the right-hand post.
Reds reserve boss Gary Ablett urged his side to offer more in the second period and they were first to show on 50 minutes when Gerardo Bruna saw a goalbound shot deflected just wide.
The Argentine starlet then turned provider with a sublime through ball for Nemeth, but despite rounding the Dock goalkeeper, the Hungarian was denied by Garry Riley’s timely interception.
The Reds were looking the most creative outfit in open play, but Waterloo continued to pose moments of real danger and both Craig Sutherland and Joe Roberts both saw their attempts blocked by Godwin Antwi.
With time running out and extra-time looming, Liverpool pressed for a winner in normal time and after Nemeth had seen his low shot brilliantly stopped by Brookfield, the striker finally broke his goal drought with the only goal of the game on 76 minutes.
A neat move involving San Jose and Bruna led to Weijl crossing low for Nemeth to stab home from six yards and win the cup for Liverpool.
But Waterloo Dock's famous Cup run which started against Liverpool, the newly created AFC way back in the first round, and included victories over Burscough, Tranmere Rovers and County rivals East Villa, will be talked about for years to come.
But the part-timers from the Liverpool County FA – champions Waterloo Dock – gave their illustrious full-time rivals all the trouble they could handle in a close contest at Marine’s Arriva Stadium.
Their resistance was broken in the 76th minute, when Hungarian international striker Nemeth stabbed home from close range.
The goal gave Liverpool the impressive piece of silverware for the 39th occasion, but Waterloo Dock won plenty of friends in their first appearance in the final of the 127 year old tournament.
The County FA champions had chances, but Mikel San Jose made a last ditch block to deny hero of the semi-final Leighton McGivern, then Dock skipper Anthony Battle guided the best chance of the half wide of the target. It was a free header from just outside the six yard box and the midfielder’s anguished expression as the ball flashed wide said it all.
The Reds reserves have endured an unhappy season but they made a bright start and could have gone ahead after just five minutes, Nemeth spurning a good chance.
Dutch youngster Vincent Weijl's surging run created another opening for Nemeth and the Hungarian tested Dock keeper Ryan Brookfield with a low 25 yarder.
The dangerous McGivern then forced Dean Bouzanis into action after a clever turn and shot.
As the opening half came to close Liverpool gave one last warning of their quality when Dani Pacheco, the highly rated young striker signed from Barcelona's youth academy, curled a clever free-kick inches past the right-hand post.
Reds reserve boss Gary Ablett urged his side to offer more in the second period and they were first to show on 50 minutes when Gerardo Bruna saw a goalbound shot deflected just wide.
The Argentine starlet then turned provider with a sublime through ball for Nemeth, but despite rounding the Dock goalkeeper, the Hungarian was denied by Garry Riley’s timely interception.
The Reds were looking the most creative outfit in open play, but Waterloo continued to pose moments of real danger and both Craig Sutherland and Joe Roberts both saw their attempts blocked by Godwin Antwi.
With time running out and extra-time looming, Liverpool pressed for a winner in normal time and after Nemeth had seen his low shot brilliantly stopped by Brookfield, the striker finally broke his goal drought with the only goal of the game on 76 minutes.
A neat move involving San Jose and Bruna led to Weijl crossing low for Nemeth to stab home from six yards and win the cup for Liverpool.
But Waterloo Dock's famous Cup run which started against Liverpool, the newly created AFC way back in the first round, and included victories over Burscough, Tranmere Rovers and County rivals East Villa, will be talked about for years to come.
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