EVERTON U18s, 2010-11

 
Manager: Neil Dewsnip

[ Under-18s, 2011-12 ] �

Date   Ven Opponents               Result  Pos  Scorers                   
Link to Official Site

August 2010

Sat 21 (H) Norwich City             W 1-0 3rd  Hope
Sat 28 (a) Birmingham City          D 0-0 5th  �

September

Sat  4 (h) Newcastle United         W 3-1 3rd  Murphy, Hope, Donegan
Sat 11 (a) Barnsley                 W 4-2 2nd  McAleny 2, Hope, Dobie
Sat 18 (h) Nottingham Forest        W 2-1 1st  Baxter, Thomas
Sat 25 (a) Blackburn Rovers         L 0-3 2nd  —

October

Sat  2 (h) Wolverhampton Wanderers  W 2-0 2nd  Hammar, Hope
Sat  9 (a) Manchester City          L 0-1 2nd  —
Sat 16 (h) Manchester United        W 4-3 1st  Murphy 2, Garbutt (pen), McAleny
Sat 30 (a) Crewe Alexander          W 3-1 1st  Lundstram, Hammar, Forrester

November 2010

Sat  7 (h) West Bromwich Albion     W 1-0 1st  Murphy
Sat 13 (a) Liverpool                D 1-1 1st  Bidwell
Sat 20 (h) Bolton Wanderers         W 3-1 1st  Orenuga, Murphy, Hope

      

January 2011

Sat  8 (h) Crewe Alexander          W 3-2 1st  Barrow 3
Sat 15 (a) West Bromwich Albion     D 2-2 1st  Lundstram, Hope

February

Sat  5 (a) Bolton Wanderers         L 1-2 1st  Hope
Sat 12 (h) Stoke City               W 1-0 1st  Barrow
Sat 19 (h) Blackburn Rovers         D 2-2 1st  Forrester, Donegan
Sat 26 (a) Wolverhampton Wanderers  W 2-0 1st  Kinsella, Forrester (pen) 

March

Sat  5 (h) Manchester City          D 1-1 1st  Grant          [Thomas, Murphy
Sat 12 (a) Sheffield Wednesday      W 6-0 1st  Forrester (2), Lundstram, Hope, 
Sat 19 (a) Middlesbrough            D 2-2 2nd  AN Other (og), Lundstram

April

Sat  2 (a) Stoke City               W 3-2 1st  Murphy, Forrester, Thomas
Sat  9 (h) Sheffield United         W 1-0 1st  Hope
Sat 16 (h) Sunderland               D 1-1 1st  Hammar
Sat 23 (a) Manchester United        W 2-1 1st  Hope, Forrester
Tue 26 (h) Liverpool                W 4-0 1st  Dier, Hope, Lundstram, Forrester
Sat 30 (a) Leeds United             L 0-1 1st  —

May 2011

Mon  9 (h) Aston Villa              W 3-2 POSF Donegan, Kinsella, McAleny
Fri 13 (a) Fulham                   W 2-1 POF  McAleny, Waring

Evertin win a drammatic Playoff Final at Craven Cottage to lift the FA Premier Academy League Trophy!

Day  Date  Ven Opponents       Res    Scorers                              

Sat Jul 24 (h) Glasgow Celtic  W 3-2  Hope (pen), Thomas 2 

  
The FA Premier Youth Academy comprises one Youth League team at Under-18 level.  There are a parallel set of friendly games playing the same fixtures at Under-16 level, but they will not count towards any league table and are not reported here.

The current set-up for the FA Premier Youth Academy has four or five regional groups of 10 teams each:

  Group D (NW)     Group B (NE)   Group A (SE)    Group C (SW)   Group E  
  Blackburn Rvrs   Derby County   Aston Villa     Bristol City   Cardiff City
  Crewe Alexandra  Leeds United   Birmingham C    Crystal Pal    Huddersfield 
  Everton          Leicester C    Charlton Ath    Fulham         Arsenal      
  Liverpool        Middlesbrough  Coventry City   QPR            Chelsea
  Manchester Utd   Newcastle Utd  Ipswich Town    Reading        
  Manchester City  Notts Forest   Millwall        Southampton    Barnsley
  Bolton Wndrs     Wrexham        Norwich         Tottenham H
  Stoke City       Sunderland     Peterborough    West Ham Utd
  Wolverhampton W  Sheffield Utd  Watford         Wimbledon   
  West Brom Albion

The season starts with some inter-group matches against teams from the farthest (geographically) regional groups.  For Everton, that meant a game with a team each from Groups C and D.  Everton then played three teams from the closest Group A.

For the main part of the season, Everton play each of the other teams in their local Group, both home and away.  They finish up playing each of the other teams in Group A again, giving 28 matches in all.  
  

Everton: Davies; Thompson (Cummins 45), Garbutt, Murphy, Hammar; Thomas, Donegan, Forshaw (Dobie 25), McAleny (Orenuga 65); Hope, Forrester.
Subs not used:  Roberts, Lundstram. Scorers: Hope.

Hallum Hope's first-half strike saw Everton under-18s begin the new FA Premier Academy League season with a 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Finch Farm on Saturday. Hope headed home after being set up by Anton Forrester. The 16-year-old Manchester-born striker also had a couple more chances to increase Everton’s lead but couldn’t take them.

While at the other end goalkeeper Adam Davies saved well when a Norwich forward bared down on goal. In the end Hope’s goal was enough to give Everton all three points.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw was forced off against Norwich with a knee problem midway through the first half. He was only just back after injury and was hoping to get some practice ahead of a return to reserve team action. Unfortunately, he will now be out for a couple of weeks at least.

Everton:  Roberts, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Bidwell, Cummins, Lundstram, Dobie (Thompson 80), Forrester (Orenuga 70), McAleny, Thomas.
Subs not used:  Fitzgibbon, Higgins, Harris.  Scorers: None.

Everton almost grabbed a winning goal at the death when Conor McAleny got in behind the home defence and squared to former Southend midfielder Femi Orenuga, but he couldn’t hit the target and fired agonisingly over.

Everton:  Roberts, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Bidwell, Thomas (Lundstram 85), McAleny, Donegan, Cummins, Forrester (Dobie 80), Hope.
Subs not used: Orenuga.  Scorers: Murphy, Hope, Donegan.

Following a Donegan free-kick, Danny Murphy headed home after 20 minutes.  On the half-hour, Hallum Hope made it 2-0. The Everton striker was alert to tap home after Adam Thomas’s initial shot had been parried out by the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Five minutes before half-time Everton effectively sealed the points when Tom Donegan’s corner flew straight into the net. Newcastle then managed to capitalise on some hesitancy in first-half stoppage time to pull a goal back.

There were a number of half-chances after the break for both sides, but there wasn’t the same level of performance and in the end Everton’s first-half efforts gave them the victory.

Everton:  Roberts, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt, McAleny, Craig, Thompson (Cummins 60), Donegan, Hope (Orenuga 88), Thomas (Dobie 75).
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon.  Scorers: McAleny 2, Hope, Dobie.

Conor McAleny scored twice and further goals from Hallam Hope and Luke Dobie sealed the points.

Everton were 2-0 up in the first five minutes thanks to Conor McAleny. The forward lobbed the Barnsley keeper in the first minute and then headed home from a Nathan Craig cross.

Barnsley reduced Everton’s lead on 25 minutes, but the visitors regained the initiative on the hour mark when Hope headed home Tom Donegan’s superb cross. But almost immediately Barnsley hit back to reduce the arrears again.

The game was still in the balance until substitute Luke Dobie fired in the fourth 10 minutes from time.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Duffy (85' Hammar), Garbutt, Dobie, Cummins (75' Orenuga), Wallace, Baxter, Thomas, Hope (88' Lundstram).
Subs not used: Roberts, Higgins.  Scorers: Baxter, Thomas.

Everton started superbly and were ahead after just two minutes as Baxter, who has been playing mostly in the reserves this season, broke through to fire home well.

Everton were dominant throughout but failed to take any of the chances that came their way. Hallum Hope was unable to convert from a couple of decent opportunities and Baxter was denied by a superb save by Forest keeper Zannettos Mytides.

The second half was much the same, but it was until the 70th minute that they doubled their advantage. Thomas fired low past Mytides to seemingly secure the points.

But Everton had to survive a late scare when with five minutes remaining Forest profited after a defensive error to reduce the arrears. The home side, though, did enough to seal another excellent win.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Garbutt, Murphy, Hammar, Orenuga, Dobie, Kinsella (60' Long), Cummins (75' Lundstram), Hope, McAleny.
Subs not used: Roberts, Browning, Higgins.  Scorers: None.

Despite another decent performance, Everton were 1-0 down after 12 minutes following a long throw-in that saw Blackburn score following a scramble. They had the chance to equalise soon after midfielder Femi Orenuga was brought down as he broke into the area onto Hallum Hope‘s clever pass. But Adam Cummins missed the resulting spot-kick and the chance was gone.

Just before the break Conor McAleny saw his shot cleared off the line and Danny Murphy fired just wide from Luke Garbutt’s free-kick. While Everton felt they should have had another penalty when McAleny appeared to be brought down in the area.

The misses proved costly as Blackburn made it 2-0 in injury time at the end of the first half with an excellent header. Hope failed to take an opportunity to reduce the arrears. But Blackburn completed their win on 75 minutes through a free-kick which was headed in.

Adam Forrester (back) and Adam Thomas (ankle) are both still out injured.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt, Dobie, Orenuga (Lundstram 60), Kinsella, Craig, Hope, McAleny.
Subs not used: Roberts, Higgins, Cummins.  Scorers: Hammar, Hope.

Goals from Johan Hammar and Hallum Hope helped Everton under-18s bounce back from their first defeat of the season to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Finch Farm on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side lost 1-0 to Blackburn but picked up where they had left off prior to that with an excellent win. After trading blows for much of the first half, with a couple of half chances for each side, Everton took the lead just before break. Following a corner by Nathan Craig, Swedish defender Hammar headed in his first goal since his move from FF Malmo this summer.

In the second half, Hallum Hope tapped in from Jordan Barrow’s cross to double Everton’s lead. Craig went close with a header. Despite a late rally by Wolves where keeper Adam Davies tipped over superbly, Everton held on for a fine win.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt, Craig, Kinsella, Dobie (45' Lundstram), Orenuga (80' Higgins), Hope (75' Cummins), McAleny.
Subs not used: Roberts, Browning.  Scorers: None.

Everton Under-18s were left to rue missed chances as they lost 1-0 to a late goal at Manchester City on Saturday, when they fell to their second defeat in the first eight matches in the FA Premier Academy League.  Hallam Hope and Conor McAleny both went close with headers from crosses by winger Nathan Craig in either half.

Everton are in third place in the north west section just two points behind new leaders Manchester United, who they face at Finch Farm this Saturday. United went top last week with a 4-0 win at Stoke City as Bolton lost 1-0 to Crewe.

Anton Forrester and Tom Donegan are close to a return following injury and could be involved.

Everton:  Davies; Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt; Orenuga, Kinsella, Lundstram; Dobie, Forrester (Donegan 70), McAleny.:
Subs not used: Roberts, Browning.  Scorers: Murphy 2, Garbutt (pen), McAleny.

Everton were 1-0 down after 15 minutes with the goal being given despite appealing for a foul on Murphy in the build-up. Danny Murphy went down the other end five minutes later to head home the equaliser from Garbutt‘s cross.

Luke Garbutt put Everton head on the half-hour mark, firing home from the penalty spot after Femi Orenuga had been fouled. McAleny saw his shot bounce back off the post as they tried to increase the lead. But soon after the break they were left to curse their misfortune when United drew level again from the spot after Garbutt had been penalised for a foul.

Garbutt was involved in much of the action and from his corner Murphy headed in his second to put Everton back in the lead. Connor McAleny then scored a superb goal following more good work by Garbutt.

McAleny was again denied by the woodwork when he hit the post. United reduced the arrears five minutes from time, but Everton held on for a deserved victory.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Bidwell, Orenuga (Donegan 70), Kinsella, Lundstram, Dobie, Thomas (Forrester 65), Forshaw.
Subs not used: Roberts..  Scorers: Lundstram, Hammar, Forrester.

An excellent 3-1 win over Crewe Alexandra at Alexandra Park saw Everton under-18s go top of the FA Premier Academy League Group C table on Saturday.

Everton led just before half-time when Lundstram headed in from Femi Orenuga’s superb ball into the area. Then soon after the restart they made it 2-0 when Hammar headed home his second goal of the season following an Adam Forshaw corner.

Crewe pulled one back due to a disputed penalty. But Forrester broke through on Forshaw’s pass to seal the points and secure Everton‘s second away win of the season.

Adam Cummins has got the flu and is unlikely to feature again this week.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt, Orenuga, Kinsella, Lundstram, Dobie, Forrester (Thomas 60), Forshaw.
Subs not used: Roberts..  Scorers: Murphy.

Danny Murphy's goal was enough to give Everton under-18s victory over West Bromwich Albion at Finch Farm on Saturday and extend their lead at the top of the Group C table.

Tthe turning point in the game was when Anton Forrester missed a great chance just before the break.

Tom Donegan should return to the squad after missing last week’s match through illness.

Everton:  Davies, Barrow, Murphy, Hammar, Bidwell, Orenuga, Kinsella (Dobie 80), Lundstram, McAleny (Garbutt 45), Forrester (Thomas 65), Hope.
Subs not used: Roberts, Cummins.  Scorers: Bidwell.

In a typically competitive derby Everton had chances to take all three points but went behind 10 minutes into the second half.

Hallum Hope hit a post in the first half, while Everton goalkeeper Adam Davies had superbly saved Conor Coady’s penalty to keep the match goalless at the break. And he also denied Craig Roddan from the spot 10 minutes after the break, but on this occasion the Liverpool player followed up to head them into the lead.

Anton Forrester was denied twice either side of Liverpool taking the lead, the first time by a superb clearance off the line.

Everton continued to press for an equaliser and the visitors eventually made the breakthrough in injury time. Luke Garbutt’s corner caused panic in the Liverpool defence and Jake Bidwell head home the equaliser.

Everton:   Davies; Barrow, Cummins, Murphy, Hammar; Donegan, Orenuga (Dobie), Lundstram; Hope (Thomas), Forrester, Forshaw (c)
Subs not used: Roberts, Johns, Heneghan.  Scorers: Orenuga, Murphy, Hope.

Everton went ahead with a well-taken goal from Femi Orenuga, and increased the lead through Daniel Murphy. Two up at the break and in control.

But, early second half, Bolton pulled one back from a free kick which Everton failed to clear and it was 2-1, Everton replied not long after through Hallm Hope to seal a 3-1 win and considering Bolton were top of this league for a good spell since the campaign they never really troubled us. Man of the match and possibly one for the future was Johan Hammar, very strong in the air and tackle.

Everton:  Roberts, Browning, Garbutt, Bidwell, Murphy, Donegan, Lundstram, Barrow, Thomas, Forrester (Orenuga 80), Hope (Dobie 80).
Subs not used: Davies, Cummins, Hammar.  Scorers: Barrow 3 .

Jordan Barrow's hat-trick gave Everton under-18s a 3-2 victory, coming from a goal down to seal the three points to keep the top of the FA Premier Academy League Group C table. It was, though, their first Academy League action for more than a month and after a sluggish start, Everton went behind on 20 minutes.  But they drew level just before the break when Barrow scrambled home from close range.

Barrow scored his second goal in similar circumstances on the hour to put Everton ahead. Barrow completed his excellent hat-trick with fifteen minutes to go when he fired in from inside the area. Hallam Hope, Tom Donegan and Anton Forrester all went close, but Crewe set up a tense finale when they pulled a goal back with two minutes left.

Everton:  Roberts; Browning, Garbutt, Bidwell, Hammar; Lundstram, Donegan (65' Dobie); Forshaw; Hope, Forrester (45' Orenuga), McAleny (45' Thomas).
Subs not used:  Fitzgibbon, Barrow..  Scorers: Lundstram, Hope

Hope hit a post, but after 35 minutes West Brom took the lead. The home side doubled their advantage. at the start of the second half when full-back Tyias Browning was penalised for a foul and West Brom scored from the spot.

Everton tried to hit back and on 65 minutes were given help as the Baggies were reduced to 10-men. After a collision between Hope and the West Brom keeper, the Baggies’ number one slapped Hope’s friendly hand away and was shown a red card for dissent to the referee afterwards.

Everton reduced the arrears until 10 minutes to go. Lundstram firing home well from the edge of the area. Five minutes later Hope hit a low shot into the bottom corner to equalise. Then with time running out Everton almost snatched all three points but Johan Hammar’s header bounced off the post and straight into the substitute keeper‘s hands.

Everton:  Roberts; Browning, Bidwell, Murphy, Hammar, Garbutt; Lundstram, Donegan, Barrow (60' Orenuga); Hope (85' Long), Forrester (85' Thomas).
Subs not used: Higgins..  Scorers: Hope.

Everton under-18s are still top of the FA Premier Academy League Group C table despite suffering a second successive defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

After a goalless first half, Bolton took the lead from the penalty spot five minutes after the restart after Everton keeper Connor Roberts brought down a Bolton forward.

Everton’s youngsters hit back quickly on 65 minutes when top scorer Hallam Hope fired home the equaliser after holding off one defender to get in on the keeper and coolly finish.

Both sides had half chances but it was Bolton who claimed the points with a late goal. Roberts couldn’t hold a low shot and the Trotters’ striker nipped in to score.

Everton stay top ahead of Manchester City on goal difference, although they have played one game less than their nearest challengers.

Everton:  Roberts; Browning, Bidwell (c), Murphy, Hammar; Lundstram, Barrow, Donegan; Hope, Forrester, Thomas.
Subs not used: Higgins, Griffiths, Cummins, Orenuga, Long.  Scorers: Barrow.

The visitors seemed to look the better of the two sides in the opening 20 mins having only a half chance which Connor Roberts gathered comfortably. Everton started to step up the game and had a near miss where Hope and Forrester could not seize the chance as the ball went narrowly acroos the goalmouth and out for a goal kick. The defensive partnership of Danny Murphy and Johan Hammar kept it goalless at the break.

Everton scored 10 mins afterr the break when Jordan Barrow was there to tap in and the blues were one up. Another chance was created when Adam Thomas put Anton Forrester through one-on-one with the keeper and somehow managed to put the ball wide of the right post and Forrester sank to his knees in disbelief. Everton were now on top and Stoke attacked on the counter and chances were few and far between, leaving Roberts in the Everton goal with quite an easy afternoon.

Everton had another chance near the end where Lundsram tried his luck but Parton in the Stoke goal saved with ease. Tyias Browning was replaced by Adam Cummins in the last couple of minuites after Browning seemed to take a heavy knock.

Everton:  Roberts; Higgins, Bidwell, Murphy. Hammar; Orenuga, Barrow, Lundstram; Donegan, Dobie, Forrester.
Subs not used: Johns, Waring, Dier, Fitzgibbon, Kinsella.  Scorers: Forrester, Donegan.

Everton’s youngsters twice had to come from a goal down to grab a hard-earned point but could easily have claimed all three.

Rovers went ahead by capitalising on Johan Hammar’s error but Everton pressed for an equaliser with John Lundstram, Anton Forrester, Femi Orenuga, Danny Murphy and Donegan all going close. Just before the break they finally made the breakthrough as Forrester fired home a rebound.

Blackburn took the lead again, this time from the penalty spot but Everton hit back again with Donegan levelling with 20 minutes left. Luke Dobie twice went close late on but in the end Everton had to settle for a point.

Tyias Browning is likely to be out for a couple more weeks with a leg injury.

Everton:  Fitzgibbon; Barrow, Higgins, Bidwell, Hammar; Orenuga (75' Dier), Kinsella, Donegan; Dobie, Hope (70' Long), Forrester.
Subs not used: N/A.  Scorers: Kinsella, Forrester (pen)

Everton started well and took the lead with Kinsella’s superb strike on the half-hour mark — Dewsnip called an absolute worldie (world-class goal) from 30 yards into the top corner. Five minutes later Anton doubled Everton’s lead from the penalty spot after Femi Orengua had been brought down in the area.

Early in the second half, Everton had five or six goalscoring chances butcouldn‘t finish them off. Everton were in control throughout and had numerous opportunities through Forrester, Orenuga, Luke Dobie, Hallam Hope and Johan Hammar, while schoolboy Chris Long nearly marked his debut as a substitute with a goal.  In the end Everton had to settle for the two goals, but they remain in great form at present.

Tyias Browning, Danny Murphy and Adam Thomas are all out injured.

Everton:  Fitzgibbon; Higgins, Murphy, Hammar, Bidwell; Orenuga, Donegan, Grant; Dobie (Johns 60), Hope, Forrester.
Subs not used: Long, Roberts, Dier, Thomas.   Scorers: Grant.

Everton took the lead 20 minutes in at Finch Farm, but had to settle for a share of the spoils after being pegged back before the break. The opener came following good work from Femi Orenuga, the winger eventually pulling the ball back for Conor Grant to steer home on his Under-18s debut. City hit back 15 minutes later though, albeit to Everton's great misfortune. An initial shot was well saved by goalkeeper James Fitzgibbon, an effort on the rebound was then cleared off the line, but the ball fell City's way again and this time the visitors found a way through.

Johan Hammar had a chance to restore Everton's lead with a header soon after, but Fitzgibbon had to be alert at the other end too, the stopper twice rising to the challenge when called in to action either side of the interval. The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession following the restart but Everton – dogged and defiant – continued to frustrate their guests.

Hallam Hope may have even found a winner but the striker saw one effort saved and another go begging when he slipped at the vital moment.

Everton: Fitzgibbon; Higgins, Bidwell (15' Thomas), Murphy, Dier; Lundstram, Donegan, Barrow (72' Johns); Hope (60' Long), Forrester, Dobie.
Subs not used: Davies, Hammar.  Scorers: Forrester (2), Lundstram, Hope, Thomas, Murphy

Anton Forrester (2), John Lundstram, Hallam Hope, Adam Thomas and Danny Murphy all notched in an emphatic away victory. The only negative for the Blues was losing the brave Jake Bidwell midway through the first half as he suffered a head injury defending a corner.

The setback didn't disrupt the visitors, however, and they were soon in front after Luke Dobie set up Forrester for the breakthrough. A lightning quick break then culimnated in Ryan Higgins teeing up Lundstram to double the advantage.

The prolific Hope stretched the lead early in the second half before substitute Thomas exploited some ponderous defending to race clear and beat the keeper for 4-0.

Forrester added the fifth as he expertly rounded the keeper and Murphy headed home Tom Donegan's free-kick to complete the rout.

Everton:  Fitzgibbon, Higgins, Murphy, Dier, Toure, Barrow, Donegan, Lundstram, Thomas, Hope (Johns 70), Forrester.
Subs not used: Heneghan, Harris, Waring. Scorers: AN Other (og), Lundstram

Middlesbrough had knocked Everton out of the Youth Cup earlier this year and they also took the lead on Saturday. Jordan Barrow hit the bar with a lob, but then Everton defender Eric Dier gave away a penalty after 20 minutes. The Boro forward made no mistake with his spot-kick.

Lundstram, Hallam Hope – who also hit the bar from long range, and Anton Forrester all went close to an equaliser as Everton dominated the remainder of the first half.

And it was Hope’s persistence that caused panic in the home defence and forced an own goal to help Everton draw level following Barrow‘s low cross. Then 10 minutes into the second half Lundstram fired Everton into the lead. Everton strike-duo Hope and Forrester both had chances to increase the lead but they were made to pay for their profligacy.

With just two minutes remaining the hosts drew level. But in injury time Everton almost went back ahead when Tom Donegan forced a superb save from the home keeper after being set up by Lundstram and Forrester saw his follow-up cleared off the line.

Everton:  Roberts; Higgins, Murphy, Dier, Garbutt; Johns (70' Hope), Barrow, Donegan; Dobie, Thomas, Forrester.
Subs not used: Heneghan, Griffiths, Toure.  Scorers: Murphy, Forrester, Thomas

With second-placed Manchester City not in action, Neil Dewsnip’s side moved three points clear with victory in one of their two games in hand on City.  Goals from Danny Murphy, Anton Forrester and Thomas gave Everton all three points to continue their title quest.

Everton started well and took the lead after 25 minutes. Murphy headed in from Tom Donegan’s free-kick. Forrester doubled Everton’s advantage soon after when schoolboy debutant Jasper Johns set up the striker to crash a superb effort into the top corner.

It seemed like Dewsnip’s side would be cruising to victory at the break. But the home side hit back scoring twice in a five-minute spell. Everton were also grateful to keeper Conor Roberts who made two fine saves. Forrester went close to restoring Everton’s advantage when he went one-on-one with the Stoke keeper. But after Hallam Hope was introduced he got in behind the Stoke defence and crossed for Thomas to tap home the winner.

Everton:  Roberts; Higgins, Hammar, Dier, Bidwell; Barrow, Johns (46' Molyneux), Donegan; Hope, Thomas, Forrester.
Subs not used: Roberts, Toure, Waring.  Scorers: Hope.

Everton under-18s extend their lead at the top of the Group C section of the Barclays Premier Academy League and are six points ahead of Manchester City and eight in front of neighbours Liverpool, although their Mersey rivals do have three games in hand.

Everton gained revenge on Sheffield United for their FA Youth Cup defeat earlier in the season. But it was a tight match in which Sheffield were on top in the first half and keeper James Fitzgibbons made two vital saves before Everton took the lead. Hallum Hope’s excellent headed goal from a Donegan cross was enough to secure all three vital points in the end.

The youngsters could easily have won by more with Hope, Anton Forrester and Jake Bidwell all missing good opportunities, the latter seeing a header cleared off the line.

Everton:  Roberts; Higgins, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier; Donegan, Molyneux, Barrow (O’Brien 80); Thomas, Hope, Forrester.
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon, Toure.  Scorers: Hammar.

Everton under-18s suffered a blow to their title hopes as they could only draw 1-1 at Sunderland. With just three games left, Neil Dewsnip’s side top the Group C section of the Barclays Premier Academy League. But they are now just five points ahead of neighbours Liverpool, who have two games in hand — both against Wolves.

Johan Hammar gave Everton the lead at Sunderland on 20 minutes, crashing home following Anton Forrester’s header back across goal from Tom Donegan’s free-kick. But Everton missed several chances to increase their lead with Forrester twice going close.

They were made to pay for their profligacy when the home side drew level when Jordan Barrow unfortunately headed into his own net as he tried to clear just three minutes after the break. Forrester and strike partner Hallam Hope both went close to putting Everton back in front but in the end they had to settle for a point.

Everton:   Roberts; Browning, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier; Barrow, Thomas, Donegan; Lundstram, Hope Forrester.
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon, Garbutt, Higgins, Murphy, Molyneux.  Scorers: Hope, Forrester.

This was an ideal morning at Carrington for football played in warm condtions on a beautiful playing surface; the game kicked off at 10am.

The first 15 minutes was very even with Manchester United probably playing the better football but Everton got off the mark with a goal from Hallam Hope on the quarter of an hour mark and what a goal it was. Tom Donegan played the ball down the left to Hallam Hope who cut inside to unleash a shot on the edge of the box which gave Conor Devlin in the hosts' goal not a prayer and put the Toffees one-up, although Devlin may have felt he should have done better.

Adam Thomas made several runs down the left and tormented Reece Brown, the United full back, playing in some delightful balls only for nobody to connect. Thomas was also unlucky with an effort that shaved the post. But no-one could complain that the visitors were worthy of their one lead at the break as Devlin made some good stops to keep the scoreline down. United didn't create anything to trouble Roberts in the Everton goal apart from a header that came very close.

The second half Everton increased their lead on 57 minutes with a goal scored by Anton Forrester. Jake Bidwell went on an overlap and crossed the ball to Forrester to touch in and put Everton into the driving seat. They started to play keep-ball and were very confident as the game went on but got maybe to ocomplacent as United tried desperately tried to get back into the game... which they did when James Wilson went down the left hand side and beat a man that may have unsighted Roberts in the Everton goal to reduce the deficit.

Man Utd inserted some pressure and Everton seemed to regain some composure and keep the hosts at bay. Tom Donegan was unlucky with an effort that hit the bar and bounced on the line. The game came to a close and a much needed 3 points. It was a game that Everton desrved to win but made hard work of it. Man of the Match was Adam Thomas for his threatening runs and crosses tormenting the hosts.

Everton:  Roberts; Browning, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier; Barrow, Lundstram, Donegan; Hope, Forrester, Garbutt.
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon, Higgins, Thomas, Molyneux, Harris.  Scorers: Dier, Hope, Lundstram, Forrester.

In front of watching manager David Moyes and the first team staff, Everton’s youngsters threw down the gauntlet to their neighbours in the Barclays Premier Academy League Group C title race with a superb performance which saw them triumph emphatically thanks to goals from Eric Dier, Hallam Hope, John Lundstram and Anton Forrester.

Neil Dewnsip’s side now sit six points ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Group C table and will look to pile on the pressure with victory in the final match of the regular league season at Leeds United on Saturday.

Liverpool could still overhaul Everton if they win all three of their remaining matches, starting at Sheffield United this weekend. But the leaders now have the upper hand in the race for top spot and a place in the end-of-season national play-offs.

The home side were dominant almost from the first whistle at Finch Farm yesterday. And they took the lead on five minutes when centre-back Dier powered a header past Liverpool keeper Jamie Stephens from Luke Garbutt’s cross.

The visitors had won 13 straight Academy League matches coming into yesterday’s derby, but Everton never allowed them to settle into a rhythm and played the better football throughout the first half. Within eight minutes they were 2-0 up when Hope swept home across keeper Stephens from another Garbutt cross.

Liverpool tried to get a foothold in the game, but Everton keeper Connor Roberts was rarely troubled. While at the other end, Forrester and Lundstram both went close. And seven minutes before the break Everton made it 3-0 as Lundstram headed home from Tom Donegan’s cross. Forrester almost added a fourth soon after but fired into the side netting from an acute angle after rounding Stephens.

In the second half Liverpool had plenty of possession but found no way past the towering defensive duo of Dier and Johann Hammar and impressive full-backs Tyas Browning and captain Jake Bidwell. They were not as sharp in the attacking third. Liverpool were restricted mostly to long-range efforts that were off target or comfortably denied by Roberts.

But as they pushed forward Everton broke and added a fourth with five minutes left. Garbutt powered into the area and pulled back for Forrester to fire home.

Everton:  Roberts; Browing, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier (80' Johns); Barrow, Garbutt (60' Waring), Donegan; Thomas, Higgins, Forrester.
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon, Harris, Henegan  Scorers: None.

Everton’s final game of the campaign, with a title hanging in the balance, was played at Thorp Arch.  No Hallam Hope or John Lundstram — both having been called up for England U17s in Serbia. Zac Thompson, who left Everton for Leeds earlier this season, was in attendance but is currently out injured.

Everton started off playing 4-5-1  with Leeds playing the better football even though there was not much between the two sides. Everton seemed to be very uncomfortable at the back with Hammar and Dier looking very shaky.

Leeds always looked like scoring in the first half and put the Everton defence under pressure without managing to put the ball into the visitor’s net and Everton showing only a shadow of their last outing in midweek without creating anything to trouble the Leeds keeper apart from an Anton Forrester header that went over the Leeds bar.

After the break, around 55 minutes, Leeds got their noses in front with an attack that came down the right, the ball was played inside and Hammar made a miserable clearance which went straight to the Leeds Number 9 who hit a shot that seemed to swerve to the right and off the post and into the net.

Everton made a change, taking off Eric Dier, who was poor, to replace him with George Waring. Everton went 4-4-2 pushing Waring upfront to combine with Forrester and hoped to get themselves back in it but, like the first half, they created very little apart from an Anton Forrester shot shaving the post.

The goal gave Leeds the boost and they applied more pressure, missing several chances; they were unlucky not to be further ahead but Everton’s day was summed up when Jake Bidwell hit a shot with power that was a certainty for the net only for his team mate Jordan Barrow to get in the way. Thomas played Donegan into a scoring chance only for it to go to the keeper. Everton made another change bringing on Jasper Johns and taking off Luke Garbutt in midfield.

The last ten minutes Everton found a second wind and put the host’s under a considerable amount of pressure, forcing them into several corners, but just couldn’t find that breakthrough and get an equaliser. 

Everton:  Davies; Browning, Bidwell, Hammar (15' Thomas), Dier; Barrow (70' Molyneux), McAleny, Donegan; Kinsella, Forrester (88' Higgins), Garbutt.
Subs not used: Roberts,Waring.  Scorers: Donegan, Kinsella, McAleny.

Conor McAleny’s superb late winner sent into Everton Under-18s into the national play-off final of the FA Premier Academy League as they beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Finch Farm. Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters had finished top of the north west Group C section on Friday and, after an exciting semi-final clash yesterday, they eventually made it to the final thanks to McAleny’s goal five minutes from the end.

Everton were forced into a reshuffle early on when influential Swedish centre-back Johann Hammar was forced off with a knee injury. Captain Jake Bidwell moved into the centre of defence and played superbly alongside big stopper Eric Dier. In the aftermath, the visitors took the lead on 23 minutes. Graham Burke firing past Everton keeper Adam Davies .

But the home side hit back to level six minutes later when Tom Donegan nipped in on a long ball to slip the ball beyond Villa keeper Calum Barrett before firing home. Everton were now in the ascendency and it was no surprise when the took the lead six minutes before half-time. Midfielder Gerard Kinsella fired home from 12 yards.

In an entertaining contest both sides were pushing to score at every opportunity. Villa substitute Malcolm Melvin headed over from close range, while at the other end McAleny was denied by Villa keeper Barrett. Villa equalised for a second time with 20 minutes remaining when substitute Michael Drennan made Everton pay for some hesitant defending to score past Davies.

With extra-time looming, Conor McAleny finally grabbed the winner and it was an excellent strike. After creating space 20 yards from goal he fired an unstoppable shot past Villa keeper Barrett to send Everton into the final with the chance to be crowned National Champions.

Everton:   Davies; Browning, Garbutt, Bidwell (c), Dier, Barrow (76' Waring), McAleny, Donegan, Kinsella, Forrester, Thomas.
Subs not used: Roberts, Higgins, Molyneux, O'Brien  Scorers: Thomas, Waring.

Everton snatched victory with a dramatic late fight-back after Ronny Minkwitz had given the home side the lead just 15 minutes from time with a stunning 18-yard drive. Everton levelled six minutes later when Adam Thomas slotted home after a free-kick had not been cleared.

The match looked set for extra-time until towering substitute George Waring headed the winner with just a minute on the clock. The visitors, who booked their place in the final with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, dominated much of the match with Conor McAleny testing home keeper Jesse Joronen.

The Toffees went close again with headers from Thomas and Gerard Kinsella. Anton Forrester sent an effort just wide and McAleny shaved a post with a cross from the right before Minkwitz struck against the run of play.

It looked to be Fulham's title until the late fight-back by Everton who then survived a frantic late onslaught to claim the title.

Everton Under-18 Squad Page at TransferMarket.co.uk

Players from Last Season: Adam Davies, Tom Donegan, Conor McAleny, Aristote Nsiala, Nathan Craig, Daniel Murphy, Jake Bidwell, Ross Barkley, Gerard Kinsella, Hallam Hope, Luke Garbutt, Femi Orenuga, Luke Dobie, Lewis Codling, Adam Forshaw, Jose Baxter, James McCarten, Moses Barnett, Hope Akpan, Shkodran Mustafi, Zac Thompson, James Wallace, Shane Duffy, Jordan Barrow, Karl Sheppard, Anton Forrester, Tyias Browning, Connor Roberts, Adam Cummins, Adam Thomas, Ryan Watson, James Nolan [Strikethrough indicates players that had left by the start of the 2010-11 season]

Players Leaving During the Season:

• Zac Thompson appeared to have left Everton and later joined Leeds United (Sep)
• Luke Dobie was released by Everton and signed a deal with Middlesbrough (Apr)
• Nathan Craig was released at the end of the season (May)  
• Hope Akpan was released at the end of the season (Jun)  
• Tom Donegan signed with Fulham after the season ended (Jun)

Everton:  N/A.
Subs not used: N/A.  Scorers: Hope (pen), Thomas 2

The young Blues welcomed the Scots to Finch Farm for a pre-season friendly and came from behind twice to secure the win, thanks to a spot-kick from Hallam Hope and a double by Adam Thomas.

Celtic opened the scoring early in the first half after taking advantage of a goalkeeping error by Connor Roberts.

The young Toffees equalised early in the second period from the penalty spot, Hope calmly converting after Luke Dobie was fouled in the box.

The Bhoys went in front for a second time on 70 minutes, but with ten minutes remaining the Blues drew level again through Thomas, who sent a powerful header looping over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

Both sides fought hard to find a winner late on and it was Everton grabbed it with three minutes to spare. Thomas netted his second of the game after tapping in the rebound from his initial close-range effort.