FA YOUTH CUP MATCH REPORT SOUTHAMPTON 0 EVERTON 2
Kevin Sheedy's youngsters overcame the first hurdle of the FA youth cup against a Saints team whose impressive record of losing only 2 of their last 12 games. A goal in either half from George Waring and Conor Grant eased the blues into the next round of the competition.
A very cold night down on the south coast the home side got the contest underway with the early exchanges between the two sides settling down.
Matthew Kennedy who has been in impressive form for the U21's forced the first save of the game which was tipped over by Chris Johns the keeper who has represented his country (Northern Ireland) at U15, U16 and U17 level.
Fast forward 60 seconds and the Toffees send shockwaves to their opposition with a goal from Chester born George Waring . It was good work from Conor Grant that set Waring through to hit the target laving Johns helpless.
As expected Jason Dodd's youngsters turned up the heat searching for an equaliser going close on twenty minutes as a couple of attempts from free kicks could not break down the Everton defence then a loose ball broke to Jordan Turnbull as the former Swindon Town defender's effort was cleared only as far as Omar Rowe whose gallant shot was blazed high over.
Mateusz Taudul showed some brave goalkeeping having to be alert to deny the threatening Jake Sinclair then responding minutes later saving efforts from Chambers and the first year scholar Seager known to his team mates as 'Rafa' with a very good attempt from the edge of the area.
HALF TIME SOUTHAMPTON 0 EVERTON 1
The same 22 started the second period but there was a delay as Chris Johns needed lengthy treatment.
Once the game got flowing again it was the Saints who thought they had got even after a free kick rebounded out to Gape whose shot was touched home by Jason McCarthy then the celebrations were short lived as the linesmans's flag had been raised.
After surviving a spell of Saints pressure the home side had been shocked a second time as the blues doubled their advantage with Conor Grant applying the finish.
It was Kennedy that made the cross for Welsh International Gethin Jones to head down for Conor Grant to finish inside the 6 yard box with 30 minutes remaining.
Saint's coach Jason Dodd introduced some fresh faces but Everton's defenders were showing some quality defending.
With 15 minutes left of the contest, Everton lost keeper Taudul through an injury giving an opportunity to Russell Griffiths.
The Saint's looked for a way back with a chance from Turnbull who had an header which rose over the frame of the goal then Seager tested Griffiths with a low shot from 20 yards.
Kennedy had the last word for the visitors with a shot from the edge of the box that wasn't too far away.
FULL TIME SOUTHAMPTON 0 EVERTON 2
Southampton: Johns, Flannigan, Targett, Gape, McCarthy, Turnbull, Chambers (Reed 65(, Ward-Prowse, Seager, Sinclair, Rowe(Arlybi 74). Unused Subs: Britt, Colmer, Higgins
Everton: Taudul (Griffiths 75), Pennington, Touray, Joe Kenny, Langton, Molyneux (C), Jones, Ledson, Waring(Dyson 85),Grant(Charsley 90), Kennedy. Unused Subs: Green, McLaughlin
Saints:
“Once Everton has touched you nothing will be the same” - Alan Ball
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by TheFinnFan
