After training week-in, week-out with the Everton first team and appearing on the bench half a dozen times in recent weeks, it could have been down to earth with a bump for striker Martin Sherif and winger Isaac Heath. They took their place in a much stronger-looking U21 side against second-to bottom of the table Aston Villa on Friday evening. Not unsurprisingly, both players and the likes of full back Roman Dixon and winger Coby Ebere, also with first team bench experience, looked up for the fight. They lined up as below with Heath more central than usual.
Kyrie Pierre did give Villa the lead two minutes after the restart following a first half blank. There was an element of bad luck from a Blues perspective as Jack Patterson got in the right position to make a clearance but it was blocked. The young Blues drew level 10 minutes later when a fantastic corner from Heath was met at the back post by Aled Thomas and his header was bravely nodded home at the left hand post by a diving Omari Benjamin. There was a serious risk of collision/ injury as he made the effort count but he was not to be deterred, 1-1.
Almost from the restart, the resurgent Toffees took the lead. As a Villa defender’s loose touch was seized upon by Ebere, both he and Martin Sherif sorted themselves out in double-quick time to allow the latter to head towards goal. His perfectly accurate left footed shot evaded the grasp of Lewis in the Villa goal. 2-1.
The victory leaves Paul Tait’s team in a much healthier 15th position, after a difficult campaign with squad injuries and departures. The highlights are below:
The following day, the Under 18s took on their Nottingham Forest counterparts in the East Midlands and secured a fine victory. You may remember the Blues’ Youth team annihilated this team 7-0 a few months ago in the FA Youth Cup. It may be because of that the Forest videographer decided to leave their camera at home but it was nowhere near as bad for them this time on home turf. Someone should have told them Cup-tie hat-trick hero Harrison Armstrong was not playing for us this time and we’d have got some footage!
The Blues ran out comfortable 3-0 winners this time with first half goals from Ray Robert and Justin Clarke followed up by a customary George Morgan penalty kick in added time of the second half. A brace of red cards as the game drew to a close, a second yellow for Everton’s promising midfielder Ademide Akarakiri. That was the only spoiler on the day (videographer aside).
Clarke and Morgan have edged onto an impressive 8 goals apiece (cross-competition for U18s) and are now just one behind leading goalscorer Braiden Graham who is featuring heavily at U21 level right now.
Lastly, the much forgotten Liverpool Senior Cup was played out on Tuesday night and the Blues fielded a strong team (see below) to take on Widnes who ply their trade semi-professionally in the Northern Premier League.
Although the gulf in ability and potential is obvious when games are played between the semi professional teams and the U21 teams of the “big 3” (Everton, Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool), they are usually keenly contested. Just as importantly, as part of their education, the younger players will often find themselves playing against grown men with a point to prove. It was pleasing to see that Paul Tait took the game seriously enough.
Martin Sherif and George Morgan (again) gave the Toffees a 2-0 lead, the visitors to Walton Hall Park got a consolation through Cherera 15 minutes from time.
Next up for the two teams are as follows:
U18s away to Middlesbrough Saturday, March 8th
U21s away to West Brom Monday, March 10th