Reserves win

Last updated : 11 April 2006 By Al Campbell
Two goals from Wales under 21's international Ramon Castille were enough to give Hugh McAuley and Paco Herrera's side victory over a strong Blackburn reserve side last night.

Blackburn started the game the brighter and twice tested Jerzy Dudek in the opening seven minutes but in truth Dudek had one of the quieter nights of his career.

Liverpool soon began to impose themselves on the game and the Reds thought they'd taken the lead after 12 minutes when Castille met a Paul Anderson cross and buried the ball past the Rovers keeper. Unfortunately for Liverpool Castille was flagged offside and the goal disallowed.

That was a momentary repsite for Blackburn however, as two quick goals from Castille won the game for the Reds. The first came on 24 minutes when the Welsh striker capitalised on a defensive mistake to pick the ball up in the box, round the Blackburn keeper and put Liverpool 1-0 up.

The second goal came a mere six minutes later when Castille ran onto a superb Danny Guthrie through ball to place a composed finish beyond the despairing Rovers goalie.

Paul Anderson cleared a Blackburn shot off the line in the 42nd minute before running straight up the other end to hammer a fierce shot that was only just saved by the Blackburn goalie in a good counter attacking move.

The Reds eased off in the second half, understandable given half this side will be playing in the FA Youth Cup final first leg at Anfield on Thursday. Despite easing off the Reds were rarely threatened by Blackburn and on loan Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle's 90th minute goal for Blackburn was an undeserved consolation.