A first half rout destroyed Everton with a 3 goal blitz. Wolves were aiming to do the double over the Merseysiders having beating them 3-2 only six weeks ago at Finch Farm.
Wolves were looking to bounce back after a humiliating defeat in the hands of Manchester City last weekend losing 6-1 as Everton’s game was postponed due to the bad weather conditions.
Everton having played in midweek in the youth cup at Crystal Palace were without Ross Barkley, Hallam Hope who has been called up for a reserve friendly on Monday and had to do without the injured Eric Dier so Anton Forrester had the honour to wear the captains armband in Dier’s absence.
Everton’s youngsters arrived late at Compton Park which left them with very little time to prepare for this fixture and the playing surface was causing concern as it showed to be slightly frozen.
Wolves attacked from the off and it didn’t take long for them to get ahead as Dominic Dell was left unmarked at near post to put the home side in front.
Kevin Sheedy withdrew Tom Molyneux and put on George Waring in his place as Everton went to a 4-3-3 in place of a 4-4-2.
Wolves doubled their lead to add to Everton’s misery as from a corner Everton failed to deal with the set piece and Liam McAlinden who got a double against Everton last month inflicted another goal to make that 2-0.
Everton’s youngsters were not expecting to be in this situation and were finding it difficult to respond and get themselves back into this game but from another Wolvers corner they went further in front when McAlinden doubled his tally to make it three with a header and make things more frustrating for the visitors without troubling the Wolves keeper.
HALF TIME WOLVES U18s 3 EVERTON U18s 0
Everton started brighter in the second half, no doubt Kevin Sheedy airing his anger at the players for what was a very poor first half performance.
Ten minutes into the second half Dominic Bell got his second of the morning to put Wolves four up without reply as the move started from the left. The ball was played in then to the middle to find Bell who put the ball beyond Fitzgibbon.
Connor Grant got on a run who then assisted Adam Thomas to put the ball high into the top corner of the net with a first time shot and restore some pride.
Everton started to believe in themselves bit it was too little too late without causing any concern for the Wolves keeper.
Everton made a couple of changes by taking off Gethin Jones then put Matthew Pennington in midfield with Ryan Higgins adapting to the right back position.
This was a poor performance by Everton and probably the worst of the campaign.
Everton’s next game is against Stoke City at Finch Farm on Sat 7th Jan before they play the next round of the FA youth cup at QPR
FULL TIME WOLVES U18s 4 EVERTON U18s 1
Everton Team
Fitzgibbon, Higgins, Johns, Heneghan, Hammar, Barrow (Shannon). Grant, Jones ( Pennington), Molyneux(Waring),Forrester (c ), Thomas. Unused Subs Taudul (GK)
Wolves Coach Mick Halsall
Everton Coach Kevin Sheedy