Everton Under-18s defeated Fleetwood Town 4-1 in a pre-season friendly at USM Finch Farm on Tuesday.
A plethora of Under-16s players were in Paul Tait’s line-up and they were comfortable victors against their EFL Youth Alliance opponents.
“I’m delighted with the way it’s going,” said coach Paul Tait. “We had five Under-16s coming in to help us today so we were very young but we’re scoring goals and we looked a threat.”
The Blues took the lead in the third minute. Isaac Heath’s long pass picked out Halid Djankpata and although his first effort was saved, he hammered home the rebound.
“Halid done well today and he’s a smashing lad for us, so enthusiastic,” said Tait.
“He gives us real energy down the sides and I was delighted for him because he had a couple of nasty injuries last season with the 16s so hopefully we can keep him fit.”
Rather than capitalise on that early breakthrough, Everton allowed Fleetwood to play themselves into the game and the visitors gave as good as they got for most of the first period, albeit without really troubling Mackenzie Chapman in the home goal.
“We’re still getting used to the new shape that we’re playing and sometimes it’s difficult for us to press as a group and win the ball back,” said Tait. “There’s stuff to work on but I was delighted with the application and the attitude.”
Harry Clarke had the best opening for Fleetwood in the opening period but he couldn’t control his half-volley and the ball bounced harmlessly wide.
Everton then effectively put the outcome out of Fleetwood’s reach with two goals in the last five minutes of the first half.
An effort from Matthew Mallon was deflected wide and from a short corner, Sean Coughlin delivered a hanging cross that Jack Tierney headed over the keeper.
Martin Sherif made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute with shot from 20-yards that found the bottom corner.
The fourth goal came on the hour mark – made and taken by two of the substitutes introduced early in the second half.
Ed Jones powered forward from defence and after evading a couple of challenges he forced the keeper into a low save. Matthew Apter was on hand to guide the loose ball into an empty net.
Five minutes later, Clarke got the goal his lively performance deserved for Fleetwood and he almost found the net again sixty seconds later.
There was still time for Jensen Metcalfe to hit the Fleetwood crossbar with a direct free-kick on a very satisfying afternoon for the young Blues, who have one more friendly on Saturday against Preston North End before the commencement of their league campaign.
