The U21s overcame Warrington Rylands to reach the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup
Everton’s Under-21s will have a shot at silverware at the end of a season of promise for the academy.
Paul Tait’s side overcame Warrington Rylands in an entertaining game at Walton Hall Park to reach the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup. The 3-2 win paves the way for a chance to defend their title against either Runcorn Town or Runcorn Linnets, who meet in the second semi-final on Tuesday night.
It will represent a chance to end the season on a positive note after the U21s reached the later stages of the Premier League International Cup - a competition that has provided them with valuable experience this season but which they could miss out on next year after a frustrating league campaign.
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Shea Pita, Luka Davis and Ademide Akarakiri were the goalscorers on Monday night as Everton’s youngsters were pushed all the way by Rylands, who are in the promotion hunt in the Northern Premier League this season.
Impressive displays from Joel Catesby, who is continuing to make progress after a long-term injury, and Harvey Foster were central to the victory while George Pickford, who tasted his first spell of senior action with Southport earlier this year, was called into action throughout the game.
The win was a vital boost ahead of the U21s’ final game of the regular Premier League 2 season on Friday, when they host Ipswich Town. Everton have dropped down to 22nd in the 29-team table and must win to have any chance of getting into the Premier League International Cup next season.
Victory against fifth-placed Ipswich could lift them as high as 18th. That would still not be enough to automatically qualify - a right reserved for the top 16 - but would stand them a chance if any clubs above them opted not to enter. Two teams declined their invitation last season, meaning the 18th-placed side did end up in this year’s tournament.
Everton’s youngsters enjoyed a number of fine nights in the competition this season, beating PSV Eindhoven, Monaco and RB Leipzig before losing in the quarter-finals to Borussia Dortmund. Teen stars like Braiden Graham and Malik Olayiwola produced breakout performances that earned them call-ups to David Moyes’ first team.
The club’s U18s had a positive run to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, too. They were beaten by Manchester City in a close game that turned on a controversial penalty for City.
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