Accrington boss John Doolan saw his side draw with Everton. Picture by Richard Parkes
Accrington boss John Doolan saw his side draw with Everton. Picture by Richard Parkes
Benn Ward was on target as Accrington Stanley drew with Premier League side Everton at the Wham Stadium in their pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.
The defender headed home in the 50th minute before the Toffees equalised with a Beto penalty late on.
Stanley were creative while the defence looked strong despite manager John Doolan switching things around during the game as he prepares for the League Two campaign in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.
Stanley started well with Ben Woods having a shot blocked and a Josh Woods header was touched over the bar by Harry Tyrer.
A Devon Matthews downward header at the far post was narrowly off target as the Reds had the better early chances.
Everton had their first opportunity on 13 minutes when Nathan Patterson’s strike across the goal was just wide.
On 23 minutes, Stanley’s on-loan Southampton keeper Ollie Wright pulled off a superb save with his legs to deny Youssef Chermiti.
Stanley went up the other end and a Josh Woods shot landed on the roof of the net, while an accurate Shaun Whalley cross was headed just over by Charlie Caton.
Reds stopper Wright was in action again just before the half-hour mark, superbly pushing a close-range Chermiti diving header away.
Wright then held firm twice before half time, keeping out Harrison Armstrong’s fierce strike and denying Chermiti from around two yards out, while in between Conor Grant’s effort was saved for the Reds as the first half ended goalless.
Doolan made eight changes at half-time with Ward, Matthews and Ben Woods the players remaining on the pitch.
Stanley opened the scoring on 50 minutes when a Ben Woods corner to the far post was headed down and in by defender Ward.
The Reds continued to pass the ball around and put pressure on the Everton goal with Freddie Sass firing over the bar from a tight angle on the hour mark.
Everton hunted for an equaliser and, on 66 minutes, former Burnley player Dwight McNeil’s strike was saved by Stanley goalie Michael Kelly who denied Beto a minute later.
David Moyes’ side were awarded a penalty on 77 minutes for a foul by Liam Coyle and Beto rifled home the spot-kick.
Patterson looked for the winner for the Toffees in their first pre-season friendly, but blasted over as the game ended all square with the rain hammering down.
Stanley: Wright, Grant, Rawson, Whalley, B Woods, Sinclair, Ward, Matthews, Caton, Martin, J Woods. Subs: Kelly, Rogerson, Sass, Coyle, Trialist A, Popoola, Brown, Walton, Smith, Tunstall.
Attendance: 3,875 (2,336 away).