A rapid-fire four fixtures for the Everton youth teams got off to an underwhelming start when the Under 18s lost 0-1 away to Nottingham Forest just over a week ago, a result notable only for the red card received by the Blues’ young Welsh midfielder Dafi-Tomos Pemberton.
The next result, one I witnessed live, was an equally disappointing outcome as the Under 21s threw away the English Football League Trophy game at Shrewsbury Town. Having shown great defensive resilience for the first half with some
outstanding work from goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley, the Toffees fell behind to a “worldie” strike from 20 yards by Golding in the 51st minute. The young Blues, bolstered by the bench return of captain Will Tamen, drew level with a fine strike from Omari Benjamin who is beginning to look like his old self as he gets more minutes at this level. The goal itself was the culmination of a slick move involving Graham, Tamen, Finney, Bates and Loney. The latter flicked it into Benjamin’s path and he venomously fired home. Despite more heroics by the Blues goalkeeper, the lead unfortunately did not last for long as the Shropshire side scored a very late point-blank winner in 90+2 to make the final score 1-2. The Blues had lined up as per the team-sheet below:
Next up chronologically was a trip to the North East for the Under 18s to take on Newcastle, the second of three competitive games between the clubs in the space of 5 days! It took until the 32nd minute for the Blues to take the lead but some very neat footwork and fine finish underlined the confidence being shown by young Scottish centre forward Kai Hutchison. Two minutes later and some fine work by Moses set up a close range finish for Freddie Murdock to make it 2-0. Pinnington pulled a goal back for Newcastle in the 82nd minute after the ball ran loose to him in the 6 yard box. The Blues would undoubtedly have conceded a penalty had the Newcastle player not scored as Blues’ ‘keeper Patrick had wiped out an attacker immediately beforehand, 1-2. In the 90+3rd minute, Shea Pita scored his first of the season to put the result beyond doubt, 3-1, just like the senior team 2 days earlier!
Finally and most recently, the Under 21s made a trip to the Midlands to take on Tamworth in the National League Cup. They lined up as below with Will Tamen now fully fit and restored to the line up and captaincy. A few of the more senior U21 players were selected for this to play against a more senior side. Barnsley, Tamen, Benjamin, Bates and Gomez are all 20 years of age or older. That’s quite a senior line up for the U21s this term!
Everton took the lead after 18 minutes and what a strike from George Finney (lead photo) from 18 yards (see below), 1-0.
Carter equalised for Tamworth on 24 minutes but after 33 minutes the lead was restored. Braiden Graham set up Francis Gomez who showed composure in a crowded penalty area to fire home (see below), 2-1
Tamworth wouldn’t lie down however and scored a beauty of their own via Carter after 53 minutes to bring the scores level. However, the last word went to our leading goalscorer Graham whose 59th minute shot looped high off a defender and over the goalkeeper to give a 3-2 victory.
Next up for the U21s is a trip to London to play Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime, November 7th whereas the Under 18s have a long wait until their next fixture, the derby against Liverpool on November 28th.
