The last weekend saw firstly a creditable draw away to the Gunners whilst on the following day Keith Southern’s Everton U18s went into battle with Liverpool in the much-awaited Merseyside Derby.
It’s at Finch Farm we start as a young Blues U18 side suffered an early blow when the impressive and much-talked about forward Justin Clarke had to leave the pitch as early as the 9th minute. That is highly unfortunate for him and the team also as he had only recently returned from a 3 month injury lay-off and was just beginning to regain match sharpness.
Nevertheless, the Toffees took the lead towards the half-hour courtesy of an own goal scored by Reds’ centre back Prince Kobe Cisse. To be absolutely fair, it was a wicked cross by Blues’ winger Shea Pita on his weaker right foot that did the damage. That followed a great header on the halfway line by centre back Lewis Evans and some sharp interplay between Demi Akarakiri and Jonathan Nsangou. If it was any consolation to the hapless Reds’ defender, Blues centre forward Ceiran Loney was lined up to tap home if the had let the ball run, 1-0.
The Reds’ equaliser came at an unfortunate time as the half-time whistle was imminent. It has to be said however, a neat 7-man passing move saw the ball moved from their left to the right wing where Forrester had a lot to do to arc the ball past the outrushing Blues’ ‘keeper Lukjanciks. A good goal, 1-1.
The Toffees left it late to claim all 3 points and yet again it was a helping hand from that man Cisse in the Liverpool defence. He did well initially to climb above Loney, but only succeeded in bizarrely heading the ball down in his own 6 yard box and **Demi Akarakiri** deftly guided the ball into the net to start a huge celebration. 2-1 in the 87th minute. The goals are featured below:
That win took the Blues to 3rd in the table while the Reds languish in 11th place in the 14 team league.
So, the previous night the U21s had slugged out a goalless draw against Arsenal at Boreham Wood. They lined up as below with Braiden Graham looking to extend his impressive scoring streak (5 goals in the last 3 games):
After some recent exciting displays, it turned out to be a drab affair with manager Paul Tait disappointed that the team’s form dipped for the evening. He said afterwards: **“We weren’t at our best tonight, not at the heights we’ve hit for the past six or seven games, but I was delighted at the way the boys grafted and got a result.”**
Although it would have been nice to come away with 3 points the match did provide a significant achievement for Everton’s “other Pickford” **George Pickford** (pictured below). It marked his 6th clean sheet of the season more than any other goalkeeper at this level. If he keeps up this form we may see Jordan having to add (J) after “Pickford” on the back of his jersey! Well done George.
As if to prove the point, the save below in the 90+4th minute typifies his fine reflexes and technique as he made an outstanding save from a deflected drive by an Arsenal forward.
Next up is a game all Evertonians should look forward to as our Youth team look to make it past the 5th round on Thursday night at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. They take on Ipswich Town and will be hoping to send the Tractor Boys out of the competition. It’s one of the younger and better balanced Youth teams I have seen from Everton in recent years and hopefully they can go all the way, good luck to them!
The U21s do not play again until next Monday at home to Burnley.