LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Kingsford Boakye of Everton celebrates scoring his teams first goal with team mates during the Everton FC U21s v Bolton Wanderers B Second Test Event Friendly Match at Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock on March 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson/Everton FC)
Twenty-five thousand Blues took in the club’s new stadium as Everton’s Under-21s became the first home side to win at the new venue.
Kingsford Boakye nodded in Roman Dixon’s cross midway through the second half to give Paul Tait’s side the lead against Bolton Wanderers B.
The match was halted minutes later as Operation Everton Stadium was called - kickstarting the evacuation that was a requirement of the club’s efforts to earn its safety certificate for the new ground.
Everton new stadium evacuated in second test event at Bramley-Moore dock
Everton new stadium test event LIVE - evacuation, score updates and photos
The procedure ended the second test event at the club’s state-of-the-art new ground. Last month, the first saw 10,000 supporters take their seats in the South Stand as the Under-18s lost 2-1 to Wigan Athletic U18s.
In the second of three test events before the summer move can be officially signed off, all four stands were opened for the visit of Bolton. Once again, Z-Cars blasted through the speakers to welcome the players onto the pitch before the buzz died down when the match kicked off.
Everton came closest through Martin Sheriff in the first half, the striker having his back post header, then volley from the rebound, saved by Luke Hutchinson. The Blues were much the better side after the break, Jacob Beaumont-Clark forcing a good save from a free-kick and Omari Benjamin coming close before Boakye’s headed finish.
Fans of of Everton before the Everton FC U21s v Bolton Wanderers B Second Test Event Friendly Match at Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock on March 23, 2025
2.
A general view of fan message on screen before the Everton FC U21s v Bolton Wanderers B Second Test Event Friendly Match at Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock on March 23, 2025
3.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: A general view of a fan concourse before the Everton FC U21s v Bolton Wanderers B Second Test Event Friendly Match at Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock on March 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC)