Harrison Armstrong with his hat-trick ball after the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
Harrison Armstrong with his hat-trick ball after the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024 (Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
It’s often said that life begins at 40 and Everton’s Under-18s side handed their head coach Leighton Baines the perfect birthday present as he celebrated the landmark occasion with a 7-0 thrashing of their Nottingham Forest counterparts in their FA Youth Cup third round tie at Goodison Park.
Scouser Harrison Armstrong, who has made four first team appearances for Sean Dyche’s senior team so far this season, led the way by netting a hat-trick.
The midfielder fired Everton ahead on 25 minutes and Luca Davis doubled Everton’s advantage with a smart shot from Harvey Foster’s free-kick, before Joel Catesby finished off a flowing move involving summer signing Justin Clarke and Armstrong. Armstrong got his second of the night soon after the break courtesy of another Foster assist before capping off a sparking performance by setting up both Clarke and George Morgan for goals five and six to ensure Everton’s smooth progress into the next stage.
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There was still time for the youngster from West Derby, who turns 18 on January 19, to bag his treble with virtually the last action of the encounter, rising high again in the 94th minute to head home from a corner.
Having made a strong start to their Premier League (North) campaign, winning six of their nine matches so far, hopes were high for Everton Under-18s to progress in this prestigious competition under the Goodison lights. They took little time to get out of the blocks against Forest, too, Clarke – who joined from AFC Wimbledon in the summer after making his senior debut for the south London side aged 15 – threatening in quick succession.
The visitors managed a 10-minute spell when they were on top midway through the first half, and the Blues were grateful to shot-stopper George Pickford for keeping the tie goalless with a smart low save. That was to prove as good as it got for Forest, however, as the home side took control.
With 25 minutes on the clock, Foster floated a teasing free kick from the right edge of the penalty area to the back post for an unmarked Armstrong to loop a header into the opposite corner. Pickford needed to be alert moments later when Alfie Bradshaw collected a pass from Fuad Smith and produced a low drive from 15 yards out that the keeper turned around the post.
It was 2-0 on 34 minutes, Foster the set-piece provider once again, this time lofting a free-kick from 30 yards out that eventually fell to Davis to finish beyond Joseph Bailey. Two became three with the sweeping move that saw Clarke burst down the right flank with a powerful run, pass inside to Armstrong whose cheeky backheel allowed Catesby to slot home.
The Blues had more chances to add to the scoreline before the half-time whistle, George Morgan seeing his shot turned behind by Bailey, before George Finney headed wide Foster’s corner from three yards out. The goals continued after the break with a familiar duo combining again on 49 minutes, Foster chipping a pass into the box where Armstrong got the better of Forest defender Ethan Broomes to smash past Bailey.
The midfielder was denied his hat-trick soon after when excellent play from Clarke down the right ended with Armstrong pulling the trigger from close range, only to have his leg clipped by Taeneal Brandy, the referee somehow choosing to wave play on. Armstrong returned the favour for goal number five on 65 minutes, passing into the area where Clarke twisted and turned to wriggle past Buba Sanneh and blast into the net to earn just reward for an excellent display.
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Armstrong, who made his Premier League debut at Tottenham Hotspur in August, wasn’t done just yet, registering another assist when his precise through ball allowed the hard-working Morgan to get in between defender Evan Boulter and keeper Bailey to net with a tidy left-footed finish.
As Baines made a host of changes to give youngsters a taste of Goodison, substitute Ceiran Loney nearly made it 7-0 in the closing stages, collecting a low pass and watching his shot bounce back off the left-hand post. That was to be the final scoreline, though, and it was Armstrong again in the fourth minute of added-time, taking home the match ball when he rose high to plant a header into the right-hand corner.
Here are some picture highlights from the night with photos courtesy of Everton FC Official Photography Library on SmartFrame.
Harrison Armstrong heads to score during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
Harrison Armstrong heads to score during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)1 of 6
Harrison Armstrong shoots to score his second goal during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
Harrison Armstrong shoots to score his second goal during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)2 of 6
Harrison Armstrong celebrates his third goal during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
Harrison Armstrong celebrates his third goal during the FA Youth Cup match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on December 11, 2024
(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)3 of 6