Match report and player ratings from Chris Beesley as Everton Under-21s fight back from three goals down before losing 6-3 at Stockport County in the EFL Trophy
STOCKPORT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Everton U21's Braiden Graham scores his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the Vertu Trophy match between Stockport County and Everton U21 at Edgeley Park on August 18, 2026 in Stockport, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Braiden Graham scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Vertu Trophy match between Stockport County and Everton U21s at Edgeley Park on August 18, 2026 in Stockport, England(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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A dramatic, topsy-turvy contest saw Everton Under-21s thrashed 6-3 by Stockport County in their opening EFL Trophy Northern Section Group E fixture at Edgeley Park.
New Hatters boss Jimmy McNulty, who spent time in the Blues’ academy himself, made a full 11 changes to the starting line-up from the side that triumphed 3-1 in their opening League One fixture at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. However, they were still strong enough to get the better of Everton’s youngsters, who are now under the stewardship of head of academy player development David Hughes, who had a six-month spell in charge of League Two Newport County last year.
Croydon-born Jamaica international Malik Mothersille, who had a trial with Everton U21s in 2023 when his Chelsea contract expired but failed to win a permanent deal after a trio of substitute appearances, joining Peterborough United instead, fired the hosts ahead on 11 minutes. With the visitors waiting for an offside flag that failed to materialise, Callum Camps threaded the ball through to Mothersille and although goalkeeper George Pickford got a hand on his effort, he couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.
County, who had dominated throughout, then hit Everton with a quickfire double just before the break. Hughes’ youngsters attempted to play the ball out from the back, but captain William Tamen was robbed of possession before Camps was given an easy finish.
Then, with the final touch of the first half, Stockport added a third as Jason Adigun put the ball through Tamen’s legs and then picked out Mika Mandron to score.
Early in the second half, the Blues then got themselves back into the contest with a rapid brace of their own. First, on 51 minutes, Braiden Graham, who was operating on the right wing, picked out Joel Catesby with a smart cross and he found the net with an assured finish.
Then, three minutes later, Melvin Matos was chopped down by Owen Moxon and Graham stepped up confidently to send the ball to Lucas Ashby-Hammond’s right with the keeper going the wrong way.
The Northern Ireland prospect then – briefly – completed a comeback with an impressive curling effort from the edge of the area on 77 minutes but instead of inspiring a remarkable turnaround, Everton then capitulated once more.
A minute later, substitute Tayo Edun fired Stockport back in front as he fired in at the back post and then a mere 60 seconds after that, Mothersille grabbed his second with a calm, low finish before completing his hat-trick, and the rout, in stoppage time.
And here is how we rated the players...
George Pickford 5
Made decent saves to deny Adigun and Mandron but on a night he was beaten six times, he’ll be disappointed with the first goal especially having got a hand to Mothersille’s effort and then one of his kicks out hit Mandron.
George Finney 5
It’s unfair to pin the biggest problem at Everton that those at the top of the club are responsible for on him, but the teenager who had a loan spell at Ayr United has still got a lot to learn and is not an in-house solution to the right-back dilemma.
William Tamen 4
A night to forget for the captain who helped Tranmere Rovers’ Football League survival last season as he was dispossessed in the build-up to Stockport’s second goal and nutmegged by Adigun ahead of the third having earlier given the ball away cheaply to Ryan Rydel.
Luis Gardner 5
At sixes and sevens in his centre-back partnership with Tamen for much of the first half, while there were no individual bloopers from him to match the skipper, he did attempt one ambitious diagonal pass that was way off the mark.
Joshua Van Schoor 5
Pinned back for lengthy periods, there was few flurries forward here like we’ve seen from him in the recent past and was booked for a challenge on Mothersille with plenty of home fans wanting to see a red card.
Harvey Foster 5
Back down to earth for the youngster who netted in the first team’s 4-0 win at Dundee last month as he was often left chasing shadows.
Harry Brookes 5
Tough night as Everton were overrun in the middle in the first half, he at least remained on for their early second half comeback before being the first player to be withdrawn for the visitors.
Braiden Graham 9
Operating on the right this time, he was once more Everton’s brightest spark, setting up their first goal, expertly despatching their second from the penalty spot and then briefly bringing them level with a terrific curling shot from the edge of the area.
Melvin Matos 7
In the thick of the action from the start, an early head injury saw him re-emerge with a bandage and blank shirt after his original one was covered in blood. He then clattered Arttu Hoskonen and went down under Lewis Fiorini’s challenge before winning the penalty after being fouled by Moxon.
STOCKPORT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Stockport County's Josh Dacres-Cogley challenges Everton U21's Joel Catesby during the Vertu Trophy match between Stockport County and Everton U21 at Edgeley Park on August 18, 2026 in Stockport, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Stockport County's Josh Dacres-Cogley challenges Everton U21s Joel Catesby during the Vertu Trophy match at Edgeley Park on August 18, 2026 in Stockport, England(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Joel Catesby 8
A lovely moment for the Birkenhead-born player who suffered a sickening injury in this competition at Bradford last October, breaking his leg as he found the net with an assured finish from Graham’s pass.
Ceiran Loney 5
A tough night for the striker as he went one-on-one with Ashbu-Hammond but looked to lack conviction as the keeper cleared his lines and then couldn’t get the angle right on a shot after being teed up by substitute Justin Clarke.
SUBS
Jack Patterson (on 57 for Harry Brookes) 6
Extra energy for the final half an hour.
Justin Clarke (on 70 for Joel Catesby) 7
Fashioned an inviting chance for Loney.
Aled Thomas (on 83 for Luis Gardner)
Late cameo just before Stockport’s fifth goal.
Omari Benjamin (on 83 for Melvin Matos)
Ditto.
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Jonathan Nsangou (on 83 for Ceiran Loney)
Same again.