Everton U18s 1 Middlesborough U18s 2

Kevin Sheedy will be wondering how his youngsters never had the game won in a very much dominated first half show from Everton.

Hallam Hope gave the hosts the lead but were punished in the second half as the visitors took their two goals well and leave the hosts without a point.

Warm sunshine and blue skies set the scene for this rearranged game postponed earlier in the year due to the appalling weather. Everton made 1 change to the defeat of Leeds United replacing Orenuga with Hallam Hope.
A new face on the Everton bench was Jake Adelson the Australian who signed a 3 year deal in February from Blacktown City.

The first 15 minutes Everton showed early appetite when midfielder Tom Molyneux set up Hallam Hope the scorer of the reserves goal yesterday who then assisted Chris Long who was eagerly deprived from an intervene from Boro’s Okesiemi then Jasper Johns could only watch his effort whistle past the keeper’s post.

Forrester read a lovely weighted long ball from Hammar with Montgomery (related to famous Roker Park legend Jim) sensing the danger and claiming the ball.

Everton’s pressure finally paid off on 30 minutes for Everton when a strong challenge won by the impressive Pennington to find Long then his pass fed to Hope’s feet and did what he dos best by drawing the keeper then fire into the net to give the blues a deserved lead.

Goals make a difference and Everton were certainly showing that having the bit between their teeth with Chris Long as he did for the first goal found Forrester who’s cross was met by Johns at the back post but failed to execute.

At this stage Everton should have been three up when Forrester saw his effort come back off the post to the feet of Long a couple of yards then saw his effort miraculously go over the frame of the goal.

Both keepers were on their toes, Montgomery saved point blank from Forrester and Fitzgibbon who was heroic last weekend saved from close range from Fowler.

The visitors were quite lethargic during the first half and managed to create a rare attack as Warnett failed to trouble Fitzgibbon as the first half was in the latter stages.

Warnett again came close for Boro on the stroke of half time and was impressing for the Teesiders.

HALF TIME EVERTON U18’S 1 MIDDLESBROUGH U18’S 0

The second half Johann Hammar headed off the line to prevent an equaliser from the visitors in the opening stages and Montgomery saved from Long as the second half commenced.

McGlade and Warnett were both impressing for the visitors but Warnett was by far their most effective player finding too much space to test Fitzgibbon once more.

Boro were certainly a different outfit as to what they were in the opening 45 and an equaliser 9 minutes into the second period was scored by Warnett who posed a threat to Everton. The woodwork denied Warnett from adding to his tally as Boro were now running the show.

Pennington came close to levelling matters after an effective corner from Molyneux. But persistent pressure from the Teesiders paid off when a lovely one two with Warnett combined with Fowler to drill past the stranded Fitzgibbon after por Everton defending.

Goalscorer Fowler wasn’t too far away again and for the third time in the game the woodwork was tested to spare Everton’s blushes.

George Waring and George Green were introduced with 20 minutes remaining but things never looked much better for Everton as the second half was tiring out.

Everton were not anywhere near the force they were in the first half and desperation was evident as a long distance drive from Molyneux sent Montgomery sprawling across his line as the ball was narrowly inches over the top.

Everton now face Manchester United on Saturday morning to end their season.

FULL TIME EVERTON U18’S 1 MIDDLESBROUGH U18’S 2

Everton: Fitzgibbon, Shannon, Touray, Pennington(c), Hammar, Molyneux, Jones, Forrester(Waring 78), Hope, Long (Green 70), Johns. Unused Subs: Springthorpe(GK), Adelson

Coach: Kevin Sheedy

Middlesbrough: Montgomery, Rivers (Bland 86), Sirrell (C), Weledji, Okeisimi, Galpin, McGlade (Boagey 60), Fowler, Kneeahaw, Jones, Warnett. Unused Subs: Roberts, Garrity

Coach; Colin Cooper

Match Officials Mr M Hanley Assistants Mr B Speedie, Mr D Hunphreys.

Thanks to GOT forum member Alan Ball for this report.