Three more games for the Ecertinyouth teams in the last 5 days and the results have taken a turn for the better as players at both levels return from injury and the teams have a more settled look about them.
Firstly, the Under 18s were at Middlesbrough in a return fixture last Saturday, just 11 days after the two sides had played out an exciting 4-4 draw at Finch Farm. That day midfielder Harvey Foster grabbed a brace while George Morgan (pictured below) and Kean Wren scored a goal apiece.
This time around it was Morgan who got a brace while the other goal was scored by Foster in an excellent 3-1 win. It lifted Everton to 4th in the table although a long way behind the two Manchester clubs. It also marked Morgan’s 10th goal of the U18 campaign. His all round game has undoubtedly developed, he’s always been full of running and desire but the goals are becoming second nature!
The game itself was evenly contested and before Morgan’s first goal Akarakiri found himself dispossessed on the edge of the Blues area but thankfully it came to nothing and there were a few more half chances at either end. Morgan’s first goal came from a delightful scooped ball by Justin Clarke. The burly young Welsh striker had pointed where he wanted the pass and Clarke delivered it expertly, 1-0.
The second goal came when Akarakiri, who had lived dangerously a few times around his own penalty area, won possession near the halfway line and Kean Wren and Morgan exchanged passes. The latter’s curled finish was confident and sublime, 2-0.
If those goals were good then Harvey Foster trumped them. From level with the 6 yard box, almost by the touchline, he arced a powerful shot direct into the top far corner. Anyone thinking it was a misplaced cross has not seen Foster’s accuracy from dead ball situations, stunning goal, 3-0.
‘Boro did pull one back but the Bues were worthy winners at 3-1.
Next up, the Under 21s were away at West Brom on Monday. They lined up as below, the squad looking much stronger these days with the return of Will Tamen in central defence. That move has seen left-sided centre back Aled Thomas move to left full back. Even early season captain Luke Butterfield had to settle for a place on the bench:
The young Toffees were gifted the winning goal after 32 minutes by home goalkeeper Cisse who, under pressure largely from his own defenders, could only fumble the ball home, via one of his own players, from Aled Thomas’ nicely struck inswinging corner kick, 0-1 and that’s how it stayed.
Finally, the Under 18s took on Wolves on Tuesday and goals from Demi Akarakiri and Kean Wren looked to have put the Blues in for a victory but, unfortunately, they were pegged back with 2 goals in the last 10 minutes. Final score 2-2.
So, in summary, the results were as follows:
Middlesbrough U18 1 Everton U18 3
West Brom U21 0 Everton U21 1
Wolves U18 2 Everton U18 2
Next games up are:
Everton U21 v Arsenal U21, Friday March 14th
Everton U18 v Leeds United U18 Saturday March 15th
