By Ross Jeavons

Greg Heald's men came into the game unbeaten in their first 14 games of the season, but were in for a tough night against a team who defeated Manchester United in the final last year to lift the cup.

After some early nerves the Chairboys eventually settled into their game, though keeper Adam Holloway had to dive bravely at the feat of Eccleston - who raced through on goal after five minutes.

Scott Shulton was a constant danger in the centre of the park for Wycombe, supporting George Daly in attack a number of times - in an attempt to break down the stubborn Reds defence.

Liverpool however, took the lead on twenty five minutes after a lightening fast counter attack caught the Blues napping from their own corner.

David Amoo cost Pool £2 Million pounds when he signed from Millwall, that's more than the whole of Wycombe's first team put together.

He raced away down field before slotting calmly past Holloway, who was left with no chance.

The Chairboys responded well - with Shulton heading just wide after good work down the left by captain Darrell Ellams.

Calum Botham has been prolific for Wycombe in front of goal this season, but he almost scored a spectacular strike in the wrong end - when he sliced his clearance inches wide of Holloway's post with fifteen minutes left of the half.

The Wanderers keeper was called into action yet again moments later, when he prevented Eccleston with another brave dive at the feet of the Liverpool striker. Despite the score line Adam will come out of the game with a lot of credit, as he was a thorn in the side of the away team for much of the match.

The Blues finished the first half as the better side, with Chidi Ogbuagu taking one touch to many on the edge of the box - after a powerful drive at the heart of the Pool defence.

The Chairboys picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, with Calum Botham in an unfamiliar left midfield role - linking up nicely with Scott Shulton.

They had their best chance of the game fifteen minutes in, when a dangerous corner from Matty Phillips was met well by Braithwaite - who found Botham on the far post.

Calum couldn't add to his season's tally though - as he blazed the effort just wide of the upright.

Twenty-minutes in Chidi Ogbuagu was replaced by Daniel Fitchett, as Greg Heald looked for the 'super-sub' to change the game.

Matt Phillips has been tipped to be an excellent prospect by many within the club, and he showed why after using his power to get the edge of the box - and sending a crashing long range effort just wide of the post.

Against the run of play the away side doubled their lead after 65 minutes thanks to a horrible mix up at the centre of the Wanderers defence.

Craig Read's back pass caught keeper Holloway completely off guard, with the ball cannoning back to the feet of Pourie - who slotted into an open net.

From then on the Chairboys were always going to be on the back foot, as they were forced into throwing men forward - leaving space for the Reds to catch them on the counter attack.

It still took a marvellous moment of magic for the holders to bag a third goal, when Nathan Eccleston cut in from the right hand touchline before sending an unstoppable, dipping strike into the net from 25 yards out.

The 16-year-old is an England youth international, and not many fans in the ground would question that accolade after such an impressive effort.

The Blues still showed resilience in the face of adversity, flying into challenges left right and centre.

The fourth goal was not long in coming though - as yet again Wycombe were punished for sending men forward in search of a consolation.

It came in untypical route one fashion, with a long punt up field finding Mackay-Steven - and the winger showed composure by slotting home the ball from a tight angle.

The fifth came moments before the full time whistle - when Eccleston picked up his second of the game, jinking in from the left flank before completing his brace from the edge of the six-yard box.

As the game was brought to an end by referee Mr G. Muge, an impressive home support of just under 1000 rose to salute the Wycombe young guns - who really had given it everything in an effort to become giant killers.

It wasn't to be tonight, but Greg Heald and his team can look forward to the rest of their campaign.

They lie second in the Puma Youth Alliance League, with games in hand over leaders Q.P.R - and are still unbeaten in the Puma Youth Cup.

Whose to say that one of those trophies will not be held aloft by Darrell Elams in 2008.