The season has properly got underway for both the Under 21s and Under 18s at Everton. Last week saw the fine away victory for the U21s and they maintained their 100% record on Monday night against Blackburn Rovers with a 1-0 victory. Meanwhile, the U18s got started with a narrow 0-1 home defeat to Manchester United last Saturday.
Starting with the most recent game, the U21s were at Walton Hall Park and without two of their more experienced attacking players as both Martin Sherif (pictured left below)
and Francis Okoronkwo (right) headed out on development loans to League One teams.
Sherif has gone to Rotherham United whilst Okoronkwo headed to Lincoln City. It’ll be a brand new experience for the young Dutchman Sherif, whereas Okoronkwo was at League Two Salford City last term so, in his case, it represents a step up. For Sherif in particular, it will be interesting to see how he gets on. At over 6’ tall, he’s certainly built powerfully enough for men’s football and he notched 13 goals at U21 level last season so Blues’ hopes will be high. Okoronkwo meanwhile, was very bright in last week’s U21 game as both a centre forward and #10. Good luck to both of them and of course their temporary departures do give opportunity for the likes of promising Welshman George Morgan.
The game itself against Blackburn, saw the return to action of defender Elijah Campbell (pictured in the centre of the photo below). He signed a new contract with the Blues in the summer. At 21 years old and with the senior team suffering multiple injuries at both centre back and left back, you would imagine there may be an opportunity for him to prove his worth following a successful stint with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last season. Comfortable in both those positions currently causing an issue at senior level, his withdrawal at half-time on Monday may have been with a call to the first team squad in mind or, alternatively, just easing him back into U21 action after an absence.
The Toffees ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a late 85th minute own goal by the unfortunate Rovers’ ‘keeper Goddard. As can be seen in the footage below, following dogged work by both Jack Patterson and Odin Samuels-Smith to keep possession, Isaac Heath played a neat ball for Blues’ winger Jacob Beaumont-Clark. His fine shot had beaten the goalkeeper but the ball struck the post and rebounded in off him, 1-0 and a winning start in the League campaign. Earlier, Braiden Graham had hit a powerful shot against the crossbar.
Back on Saturday, the U18s gave a debut to new signing Reuben Gokah at centre back against their Manchester United counterparts at Finch Farm but unfortunately lost 0-1 due to a 24th minute penalty conversion by United’s Ibragimov. The match was also significant for the first appearance (for United) of a boy called Rooney. Kai Rooney, eldest son of Wayne Rooney, but still only 15 years old, came off the bench in the 73rd minute to appear against the team who gave his famous dad the start in his illustrious football career.
So, it’s been quite a low key start to the season for both age groups. The U21s will be pleased with 2 successive wins however. It’s interesting that, at the same stage last season, both sides had scored 6 in their opening two games so, this season, we may see a less free-scoring but more measured approach?
Next up for the U21s this Friday is another home game against Fulham. This is again at Walton Hall Avenue which seems to have become the first choice for home fixtures following the end of the agreement to use the ground of Southport FC.
Meanwhile, the U18s have to wait another few days till Tuesday August 26th when they travel to the training ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers to play in the U18 Premier League Cup.
