A report from forum contributor alan ball who covers all of our U18 games throughout the season.
EVERTON YOUNGSTERS ARE NOT “STREETE WISEâ€
Everton academy arrived at Little Benton for this 1pm kick off hoping to improve on last weeks disappointing home draw with Huddersfield Town. Our opposition today Newcastle were looking to build on a great 3-2 victory at Manchester City last week and having already played 4 games they had only lost one prior to today so Everton were in for a tough game.
Everton made changes bringing in Jake Bidwell, Jordan Barrow and John Lundstram in place of Ibou Toray, Ben Heneghan and who took a place on the bench and Gethin Jones who wasn’t included in the squad.
The first twenty minutes of this contest was a very scrappy affair as both teams were very eager to try and find each other out as neither side created any chances.
Everton’s threat when they got forward was down the left with Adam Thomas making the Magpie’s full back Nicholsen’s afternoon an unpleasant one with his tormenting pace. Jake Bidwell also linked well with Thomas as they supported each other with some good overlapping runs.
Around the 35 minute mark Everton took control of the game and a chance went begging for Lundstram after a neat move involving Thomas/Bidwell and an assist by Hallam Hope but Lundstram could not put the ball away. Femi Orenuga who had a good game for the reserves on Tuesday night again played on the right hand side and delivered some decent balls from the by line without any of the forwards making it pay.
JJ Hooper had Newcastle’s best chance before the break but spurned his shot but just when Everton seemed to be heading in at the break level with their opponents Remie Streete was unmarked in the box to put the ball beyond Fitzgibbon and give the hosts the lead
Half Time
Newcastle United U18’s 1 Everton U18’s 0
The goal on the stroke of half time for the hosts had put a spring in their step as the second half got underway although Everton will be pleased with the way they came out in the second period and try and rectify the damage as they did not deserve to be a goal behind.
On 50 minutes Lundstram was set up by Thomas on the penalty spot but somehow missed a great opportunity and bring the blues level. Orenuga was complimentary by playing a lovely ball to Hope but his effort went just wide without a major concern for Baird in the goal for Newcastle.
Two opportunities for the home side, one by Hooper and the best one falling to Storey who should have done better but failed kept the deficit down to one goal.
Anton Forrester must have thought he had scored as from a corner, Forester added one touch before unleashing a shot that had Baird beaten only to crash against the crossbar but the ball was cleared by the home defence.
Everton forced a number of corners which they never made pay but really had a strong hold on this game and the 1-0 score at this stage did not do them any justice. Fitzgibbon made a very important save from goalscorer Streete to stop Newcastle from increasing an undeserved lead further.
The second half was a better spectacle than the first 45 and it was obvious Newcastle felt Everton were a threat to them and they did all they could to prevent Everton from creating and opening anything as the Magpies were quite content to keep the ball in the corners as much as they could and waste time as the seconds ticked away.
Everton youngsters entertain Bolton Wanderers at Finch Farm next Saturday with an 11am kick off
Full Time
Newcastle United U18’s 1 Everton U18’s 0
Some good contenders for man of the match, Fitzgibbon, Pennington, Bidwell, Dier, Forrester and Thomas. The vote went to Thomas for his his tormenting and his accelerating runs.
Teams
Newcastle United U18’s: Baird, Nicholsen, Riley, Miele, Streete, Story, Taylor, Knight (Logan 75), Hooper, Campell, McGorrigan. Unused Subs Tolland, Maddison, Ions, Mitchell(GK)
Everton U18’s: Fitzgibbon, Pennington, Bidwell, Barrow, Dier,(c ) Molineux, Orenuga, Lundstram, Hope, Forrester, Thomas. Unused Subs, Taudul (GK), Touray, Higgins, Heneghan, Long
