Everton Reserves, 2000-01

August 2000 

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December 2000

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May 2001

 FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (NORTH) 2000-01  

  Everton are Reserve League Champions for the first time since 1968.

 RESERVE MATCH DETAILS

 Everton 1 - 0 Manchester City

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Pilkington, Clarke, O'Hanlon, Southern, Milligan, McKay (77' Chadwick), Jevons, Cadamarteri, McLeod.
Subs not used: Kearney, Valentine, Curran.  Scorers: Jevons (pen:47')
Yellow Cards: McKay (75').  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr N Bannister.  Att: 1,237

Steve Milne:  So another reserve team season beckons. Some things never change... well, for the past few years anyway.  Our squad is wafer thin.  Tonight's reserve team line-up fielded four players with limited first team experience. Andy Holden put Cadamarteri and Jevons in the spearhead of our attack but the man, or boy of the night for me � Kevin McLeod.  He showed his U-19 prowess which has been somewhat lacking in the last 12 months.  The two centre-halves, Clarke (tonight's captain) and O'Hanlon easily dealt with the Man City attack.

We could have scored in the first two minutes. O'Hanlon with a bullet header forcing City's keeper, Wright, to make the save.  On 9 mins, McLeod on the goal line had a shot or maybe it was a cross, finding the top of the net.

On the half hour, McLeod again involved, with a hard low cross into the box and Jevons with a half volley, somewhat off target.  Man City only had one attempt at the Everton goal, with Simonsen easily dealt with on 35 mins.

Half time: Everton 0 - 0 Manchester City 

Within a minute of the second half, Cadamarteri was brought down doing one of his runs into the box. Jevons, penalty, shot, score.  This was our only real attempt at scoring all night.

We did hit the woodwork twice in the second half.  Jevons on the run, with a superb half volley, hit the post. 7 mins later, Southern from a corner, headed unmarked in the box, but hit the bar.

On 74 mins however, McKay made a silly two-footed challenge on City's Morrison (by all accounts over the past few years he has been known as a bit of a hard man); this resulted in a bit of a m�l�e involving 8 City players and 2 Everton players.  Needless to say, McKay and Morrison were both booked with McKay being substituted for his own good, I think, 2 mins later.

The reserves are stretched, with Walter not really risking many out and out first team players.  We were, on paper tonight, the weaker side, but I think the fact that these players have been playing together for some 18 months, may hold us in good stead for the forthcoming reserve team season.

 Blackburn Rovers 3 - 1 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Pilkington, Cleland, O'Hanlon, McKay, Cadamarteri, Southern, Jevons, Gemmill, Milligan.
Subs not used: Degn, Pettinger, Kearney, Curran, Price.  Scorers: Southern (43')
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr G Salisbury.  Att: 735

Steve Milne:  When you have only three players over the age of 21 out of your 16-man squad, you know you are going to have problems, especially facing a Blackburn Rovers reserve side full of experienced players.  To lose 3-1 doesn't look that bad really.

Most of the action was in the first 45 mins.  Blackburn's first came after just 4 mins.  Diawara pounced on a dreadful Cleland back pass.  Three mins later, again poor defending (in the place Cleland should have been) from inside the box left Douglas with a header, 2-0.  On 20 mins Douglas again just seemed to waltz through the Everton defence to score from 6 yds out, making it 3-0.

It took Everton half an hour to carve out a chance.  Jevons with a free kick 30yds out, saw the chance just go over the bar. 6 mins later, Southern side-footed from 20 yds out, with the keeper beaten, saw his shot float over the bar.  By this time, Everton did have a lot of the possession.  Just before half time though, Jevons with a through ball, found Southern in the box, who blasted the ball into the back of the net, to give the Blues some hope.

Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 3 - 1 Everton 

The second half was a somewhat damp squib. As I look at my notes, I see one thing on the plus side, Jevons on 56 min, had a well timed overhead bicycle kick just go wide over the post. Simonsen on 63 mins saved a certain goal with his legs.

The next two reserve games are both at home. Let's hope for something better.

 Everton 2 - 0 Middlesbrough

Everton: Simonsen, Degn, McLeod, O'Hanlon, Dunne, Clarke, Southern, McKay (45' Osman), Jevons, Cadamarteri, Milligan.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Pilkington, Hibbert, Kearney.  Scorers: McLeod (54', 57')
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr C Bassindale.  Att: 761 

Steve Milne:  Andy Holden put out a very young reserve team side and decided to start with a 3-5-2 formation, which is somewhat unusual, and for the first 20 mins, the blues seemed to struggle to get into their stride. Then common sense prevailed and he reverted back to 4-4-2.

The first 45 mins were somewhat dire. We were restricted to a few chances - namely Cadamarteri on 12 mins from 12 yds out, unmarked and with all the time in the world, hit his shot over the bar. On 18 mins, Jevons fired a square ball with no blue shirts able to make contact.

On the half hour mark Jevons again, picking up on a Boro defensive mistake, found himself in the box and his initial shot was well saved by the keeper; his second bite of the cherry went wide at the post. The last bit of action for the first 45 mins was a Milligan free kick from 35 yds out, hit with some power, only to be denied by their keeper, who pushed the ball over the bar.

Half time: Everton 0 - 0 Middlesbrough

The second half was somewhat more enjoyable. Everton created a lot more clear cut chances. Jevons and McLeod both worked extremely hard. Milligan's free kicks seemed to be taken from the 'Gascoigne Book of football', but it was Man of the Match, McLeod, who did the damage in the end.

On 54 mins, a Milligan corner found the head of McLeod... 1-0. And 3 mins later, an exact replica, only this time McLeod's header went in from underneath the cross bar. He could have had a hat trick within another minute but was denied by the keeper.

By this time, Middlesbrough's chances were restricted to a defensive mistake from Clarke but young O'Hanlon stepped in to clear the ball. Everton's keeper Simonsen had one thing to do all night and that was to push the ball over the bar in the dying moments of the game.

A good run out for Everton's young pros.

 Aston Villa 2 - 4 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Ball, O'Hanlon, Gemmill, Cadamarteri (69' Southern), S Hughes, Jevons, Osman, Milligan.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Pilkington, Kearney, Curran. 
Scorers: Osman (9', 86'), Jevons (15'), O'Hanlon (29').
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr D Bryan.  Att: Att 584 

Steve Milne:  Everton's reserves tonight lifted the gloom surrounding Goodison Park with a convincing display from a team comprising every available fit player left at Bellefield.

We opened the scoring on 9 mins with an in-form Osman letting fly from 20 yds out, leaving their keeper with no chance.  Six mins later, Jevons scored from an unmissable position, after hard work put in by Milligan down the left, who in turn found Osman, who looked up to see Jevons totally unmarked, and unselfishly laid the ball in his path.

On the half-hour mark, O'Hanlon headed in Everton's 3rd, from a Cadamarteri corner.  By this time, Everton were cruising.

Half time: Aston Villa 0 - 3 Everton

With a 3-0 lead in the second half, we seemed to sit back, allowing the Villa to claw a goal back on 58 mins.  This came from a corner, leaving the goalscorer Evans unmarked for a free header.

Osman further increased our lead on 86 mins.  This time from 18 yds out having been put through from midfield, blasted the ball with his right foot past a helpless Villa keeper.  Within 2 mins, Villa's Moore snatched their second of the night, from inside the box on the turn, leaving Simonsen with absolutely no chance of stopping it.

The 584 Villa fans saw their team once again give a poor performance.

 Everton 3 - 1 Newcastle United

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Unsworth, Clarke, Gemmill, Jevons, Southern, S Hughes (87' Osman), Milligan, Cadamarteri. 
Subs not used: O'Hanlon, Kearney. 
Scorers: Jevons (pen:4'); S Hughes (59'); Cadamarteri (pen:66') 
Yellow Cards: Southern (39'); Cadamarteri (48'); Milligan (51'); Unsworth (67').  
Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr S Bratt.  Att: 1,298.

Steve Milne:  Widnes on a wild, wet Tuesday night, is not the best place to be in the world.  Especially when the first team are 4th from bottom with Newcastle and Liverpool away games looming in the darkness, but tonight, Everton's reserves, who are top of their table, brought some hope into Evertonians' hearts � well for a short time anyway.

Everton were 1-0 up after 4 mins.  Unsworth found himself pulled to the ground during a corner kick.  Up stepped Jevons to blast in our opener.  This was one of the brighter moments of the first half, for the driving rain made the conditions extremely difficult and the players found it hard to keep on their feet.  Young Hibbert, who was our right back, was somewhat tormented by Newcastle's Dimas for the first 30 mins of the game.

Our keeper Simonsen, on tonight's performance, deserves a go into the first team; he pulled off a couple of exquisite saves, the first on 7 mins, brilliantly tipping the ball over the bar from a long-range shot... and again on the half hour mark, stopping a long range effort.

The Blues only had one other chance in the first 45 mins.  Jevons found the ball at his feet, via a Newcastle defensive error, with all the time in the world, not a black and white shirt about, and he side footed the ball wide of the goal.

Half time: Everton 1 - 0 Newcastle

With the rain slightly easing off, the second half started badly.  Newcastle found themselves with a penalty after the referee had judged one of the Everton defenders to have handled the ball. Newcastle's Glass took charge and equalised.  But after 59 mins, Everton were back in front with a well worked free kick.  Milligan made a short pass to Hughes, who rifled home from well outside the box.  Newcastle's defence looked on aghast!

Six mins later, Cadamarteri, having been put through from midfield, ran straight into the box and was felled by the keeper, who was lucky not to get sent off.  Cadamarteri took charge himself to convert Everton's second penalty of the night.  He could easily have made it 4 on 90 mins; he drew the keeper out of his goal, went around him, shot at the empty net only to find a Newcastle defender racing back to clear off the line.

It is a long time since I've said this, "We're top of the league !"

 Everton 0 - 2 Leeds United

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Clarke, Berhalter [trialist], Gemmill {capt},  Jevons (55' Southern), Osman, Cadamarteri, Moore, Milligan.
Subs not used: Pettinger, O'Hanlon, Kearney, Eaton.  Scorers: None 
Yellow Cards: Clarke (47').  Red Cards: None.  Ref:  Mr D Drysdale.  Att: 1,108

Daily Post:  Everton's 100% home record in the FA Premier Reserve League has been ended by Leeds United, thanks to a goal in each half from the Yorkshire side.  Everton deserved at least a share of the spoils, particularly after controlling the second half.

The Blues created early chances when Joe-Max Moore tested the keeper in the very first minute, Milligan's far post effort was also saved and American trialist Greg Berhalter missed the target with a close range header.  Leeds played some very attractive football in the first half and came close in the 28th minute when Steve Simonsen parried a Matthew Jones shot and Peter Clarke completed the clearance.  

The visitors took the lead in the 31st minute when Harpel Singh's low direct free-kick deceived everyone inside the penalty area and crept inside Simonsen's right hand post.  The Blues should have levelled five minutes before the break when Danny Milosovic saved Danny Cadamarteri's shot and Joe-Max Moore headed over the rebound from a couple yards out.

Everton totally dominated the second period and Simonsen was a virtual spectator as Leeds were forced on the back foot.  Berhalter was narrowly wide with another header, Milligan and Moore had shots from distance that flashed wide and Milosovic made a great save to deny Leon Osman.

Leeds doubled their lead from their first attack of the second half when Tony Hackworth ran through and lobbed Simonsen in stoppage time. Osman then thought he'd levelled in the 88th minute but his snapshot from 8 yards out was headed off the line.  Leeds' victory maintained their 100% start to the season and they are now top of the FA Premier Reserve League table.

 Everton 2 - 1 Liverpool

Everton:  Myhre, Hibbert, McLeod, Cleland, O'Hanlon, Gemmill, Southern, Osman, Jevons, Cadamarteri, Milligan. 
Subs not used: Simonsen, McKay, Kearney, Pilkington, Chadwick. 
Scorers: Southern (6'), Cadamarteri (46') 
Yellow Cards: Cleland (42'). Red Cards: McLeod (67').  Ref: D Drysdale.  Att: 5,661

Steve Milne:  Everton tonight won the Mini Derby 2-1; its great to beat Liverpool � no, its brilliant to beat Liverpool at any time, but to beat them and go top of the league is the best.

We went 1-0 up after 6 mins when Cadamarteri beat the offside trap, ran to the byline to pull the ball back to Jevons, who could not control the ball, but saw Southern in the perfect position; he shot hard and low with his left foot.

Tommy Myhre looked good in his comeback game, although he did not have that much to do for most of the time, but when called on he did look comfortable.

We did let them in on 41 mins when Camara was given the space to run at the defence; he shot from some 18 yds to bring the scores level.

Cleland was booked on 42 mins and Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net just before half time, OFF SIDE...........

Half time: Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool 

Everton had most of the possession in the second half.  Cadamarteri had the best couple of chances, one on 51 mins from 25 yard out blocked by a defender; a min later Danny had the ball at his feet, rounded the keeper to side-foot the ball into the empty net.

We where down to 10 men on 65 mins, when McLeod was sent off for a two-footed challenge �   it was a bad looking tackle.  But we did hold on with the 10 men to go top of the table.  Official Everton Report

 Bradford City 0 - 1 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Pilkington, Clarke, O'Hanlon, Osman, McKay, Southern, Chadwick, Milligan, McLeod.
Subs not used:  Pettinger, Kearney, Valentine, Curran, Eaton.  Scorers: Chadwick (46') 
Yellow Cards: Southern (43').  Red Cards: None.  Ref: E Evans.  Att: N/A

Steve Milne:  As we arrived at Bradford in thick fog, there was a possibility of tonight's game being called off, however, shortly before kick-off, the heavens opened and this seemed to clear the air.

The battle tonight was top versus bottom.  Men against boys and the boys were victors 1-0.

Chadwick, making his reserve team debut, scored Everton's only goal on 46 mins, with a brilliantly struck low shot, from just outside the box, into the bottom corner of Bradford's net.  This was one of the few highlights of the whole 90 mins.  The rest of the game was nothing much to write home about. Simonsen only had a couple of things to do all night.  With most of our regular reserves being held back for possible inclusion for Saturdays' game against Chelsea, the virtual U-19 side did well against a much more experienced Bradford and yes, we are still top of the league.

 Everton 0 - 1 Sunderland

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Pilkington, Clarke, Unsworth, Southern, McKay (70' Valentine), Osman, Moore, Chadwick (63' Curran), Milligan.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Kearney, Lester.  Scorers: None 
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr W Shaw.  Att: 884

Steve Milne:   Once again, reserve team manager Andy Holden had his hands tied with regard to availability of a full-strength team.  He only fielded three players with first team experience, the rest being made up from the youngsters who are academy regulars.  Sunderland tonight had one of our old boys playing for them, namely John Oster.

It took Everton 14 mins to have an attempt at goal.  Moore ran at the defence and shot from some 20yds out, forcing the keeper to make a save.  This was the only noteworthy effort of the first 45 mins from a player wearing a blue shirt.

Sunderland however, scored the only goal of the game by Nunez, from inside the 6yd box, without an Everton challenge.  He blasted the ball into the back of the net from a pretty good cross.  On the half-hour mark, Sunderland had to replace their keeper.  This made no difference to the play � Everton still didn't create any chances.

Half time: Everton 0 - 1 Sunderland 

In the second half, with the Blues limited to just two chances. On 53 mins, Milligan cut in from the left wing and had a cross-shot go well wide.  The last 20 mins of the game saw Unsworth join Moore up front to try to search for an equaliser.  This did not come.  Clarke however, had a free header from 12 yds out, which could have levelled the scores, but he saw his effort just go over the bar.

Not a good day from a Blues point of view.  

 Marine 3 -2 Everton

Everton: Black, Hibbert, McLeod, Pilkington, Clarke {capt}, Osman, McKay, Southern, Jevons, Chadwick (69' Valentine), Milligan
Subs not used: Kearney, Curran.  Scorers: Milligan (18'), Southern (53')
Yellow Cards: Jevons.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: ???.  Att: 294

Click this link for brief the Official Everton Website Report

 Middlesbrough 1 - 3 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Unsworth, Clarke, Southern, McKay, Nyarko, Jevons, Osman, Milligan (77' Pilkington).
Subs not used: Pettinger, Chadwick, Kearney. 
Scorers: Jevons (pen:7'), Nyarko (33'), Osman (47') 
Yellow Cards: Hibbert (30'), Southern (55'), Simonsen (84'). 
Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr L Mason.  

Steve Milne:  It's been 10 weeks 2 days since the last Everton reserve game.  Apart from the Liverpool Senior Cup game, the second string have been just training, training, training...  Tonight they where let off the leash and ran out winners.  They played well, and Nyarko had his first game in a while � good news for Walter.

Leon Osman (who was given Shirt Number 34 in the Premier League squad this week) was brought down inside the box on 7 mins.  Jevons, our regular taker, promptly put the ball in the back of the net: 1-0.

Jevons had another chance on 15 mins when Milligan sent in the inch perfect cross to feet, but Jevons was unable to keep the shot on target.

On 21 mins Osman from in the box forced the keeper to save with his legs, after some neat football in the build-up from McKay and Jevons.

Middlesbrough made it 1-1 on 27 mins.  Clarke gave away a silly foul on the edge of the box, the ball fired in from the free kick, Jason Gavin scored with the free header.

Within a couple of minutes, we where back in front � this time, we had a free kick fired in with pace to the six yard box, where Nyarko scored with the lunge to make it 2-1.

Just before half time Osman again had the ball at his feet, made some space and beat a couple of defenders, only to see his shot well saved.

Half Time: Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Everton

Within a couple of mins of the start, Osman's hard work played off. Jevons was the provider; Osman took the ball into space and shot with the keeper having no chance.

At 3-1, the blues where in control. Jevons hit the post on 61 mins, but on 84 mins Simonsen gave away a penalty, then got booked for arguing.  Madison's penalty was however saved by Simo, and it was well saved at that.

 Leeds United 0 - 1 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Pilkington, Unsworth, Southern, Valentine, Osman, Jevons, Chadwick, Milligan.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Kearney, Price, Hogg, Curran.  Scorers: Jevons (pen:57') 
Yellow Cards: Southern (88').  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr R J Booth.  Att: 557.

Steve Milne:  Once again, Walter smith takes no chances fielding any players on the injury comeback trail, so the second string had only one full-time member of the First team.

Penalty expert Phil Jevons was the difference tonight between the two sides.  Both teams had plenty of chances: Leeds hit the post on 44 seconds; Everton's Chadwick had plenty of opportunity to score � 3 good attempts in the first 45 mins � but due to lack of games (he has only started in the reserves a couple of times) he was not as sharp as he can be when he plays for the U-19's.

At half time the score was level 0-0 but this was to change on 54 mins when Chadwick was brought down by Milosevic the Leeds keeper.  If not he most certainly would have scored himself, but Phil Jevons made no mistake to seal the game for the blues.  We could have made the score line better but for some good goal keeping, Southern, Chadwick, Milligan, Osman all having chances either saved or just go wide.

Full time, and a well deserved 1-0 win

 Newcastle United 1 - 0 Everton

Everton: Myhre, Hibbert, Pistone, Unsworth, Clarke, Southern, Tal, S Hughes (56' Milligan), Jevons, Osman, McLeod (76' Pilkington). 
Subs not used: McKay, O'Hanlon, Pettinger.  Scorers: None 
Yellow Cards: S Hughes (54').  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr. N Bannister.  Att: 469

Steve Milne:  Tonight was the long road to Newcastle.  We took a strong side, Pistone playing his first game for some seven months, alongside Myhre (shop window?), Unsworth (his third game in 7 days?), Tal, and Hughes (West Ham bound or not?).  So on paper we where the strongest side.

We should have been 1-0 up on 5 mins, Clarke with a header from a Tal corner, just past the post.

Then Myhre...... !!!  The ball came across the goal and HE TRIED TO PUNCH IT � MISSED IT COMPLETELY!  The ball fell to Lua Lua, who side-footed into the net.  Doh!!!

We had only one other chance in the first half, on 43 mins: Osman was thru with the keeper to beat, but put the ball wide of the goal.  Just before half time, Mhyre again went walkabout but Newcastle squandered the chance to make it 2-0.

Half time: Newcastle 1 - 0 Everton

When you are a goal behind chasing the game, and then only create two chances in 45 mins, you don't deserve to score, however.... Southern with a header from a well taken free kick, and again it was the youngster Southern with a quick shot 20 yds out � just over the bar � the only two high spots of the second half.

 Click here for Match Report at EvertonFC.com

 Everton 1 - 0 Aston Villa

Everton:  Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Unsworth, Clarke, Southern, McKay, Hughes, Chadwick (46' Eaton), Milligan, Tal (46' Degn) 
Subs not used: Pettinger, Pilkington.  Scorers: Eaton (52') 
Yellow Cards: Hibbert (18'). Red Cards: None.  Ref: P Brabin  Att: 650

Steve Milne:  With a 24-hour delay due to the fact Villa played Arsenal last night in the FA Youth Cup (they lost 2-0), we had a Reserves game at home � the first in quite a while.

In a poor first half, Chadwick came closest to scoring; he had a couple of half-chances. On 20 mins he was through on goal but put his shot wide.  A couple of mins latter, with his back to goal, he had an overhead kick go just past the post.

Half time: Everton 0 - 0 Aston Villa

Eaton came on for Chadwick, and he used his pace well. On 52 mins, Eaton chased a long ball from the back, out-paced the Villa defence, drew out the keeper, and placed the ball in the bottom right corner.

Our only other chances worth making a note of came on 72 mins when Peter Degn (a pound or two heavier than the last time he pulled on a blue shirt) with time and space in the box put the ball wide.  After 84 mins the Villa keeper made a save from a Milligan free kick just outside the box to keep the score down to 1-0. On 88 mins Degn's header was just over the bar.

With a couple of games in hand we have a good chance of going top soon....

 Everton 2 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Pistone (46' Chadwick), Unsworth, Zamperini (73' Southern), Gascoigne, Caires, Tal, S Hughes (62' McKay), McLeod, Osman.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Milligan.  Scorers: McKay (74'), Chadwick (89')
Yellow Cards: McLeod (75'), Unsworth (82').  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr N A Yates.  Att: 553.

Steve Milne:  Everton, with the sprinkling of first-teamers plus a couple of international trialists hoping to impress Walter Smith, playing a relatively young Sheffield Wednesday side, you would think that the Blues would be rampant.  In fact, we controlled virtually the entire game, Simonsen being virtually redundant.  However, we could only score 2 goals and this in the second half of the game.

Osman did hit the bar on 10 mins.  Tal's follow-up shot was blocked by the Wednesday defence. Caires tried to lob the entire defence, but his attempt was easily gathered by the keeper.  The Portuguese trialist Bruno Caires seemed to me, and those around me, to be somewhat lacking in match fitness.  Tal on the other hand � who was certainly our candidate for Man of the Match tonight � saw two long range shots within a couple of minutes both go over the bar.

On the half hour mark, McLeod had a snap shot on the edge of the box just go wide of the post. Osman a minute later had a neat 1-2 with Pistone and Osman's shot forced the keeper to make a save.  Just before half time, Osman and McLeod linked well and Osman's shot went across the face of the goal.

Half time: Everton 0 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday

With the wonderkid Chadwick on, we always looked in complete control during the second half.  It was only a question of time before we scored. Chadwick on 68 mins, forced the keeper to save with his legs.  Then on 72 mins, the Italian trialist Alessandro Zamperini, who at centre half, was playing reasonably well (unlike Caires, who was playing midfield), was stretchered off.  He looked in some pain.  Within a couple of minutes of this, McKay put Everton in front with a glorious header from an Osman cross.

Eight mins later, I think it was McKay who was pulled down in the box; the referee gave a definite penalty.  Osman, tonight's penalty taker in the absence of Jevons, shot to his left; the keeper dived to his right and saved the penalty.

On 90 mins, Everton's second came from a superb Tal cross, which found Chadwick in the 6-yd box unmarked, to head home a well-deserved second goal.  The win moves us into second place behind Sunderland.  With another game on Wednesday night against tonight's opponents at Hillsborough, we could well go top.

 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 3 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Southern, McLeod, Hibbert, Unsworth, Nyarko, McKay (41' Kearney), Osman, Chadwick (61' Eaton), Alexandersson, Pilkington.
Subs not used: Pettinger.  Scorers: McKay (28', 34' ), Alexandersson (39')
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: M Atkinson.  

Steve Milne: Two games in a week for the reserves, and a few changes from Monday night's game: 

• Caires � sent on his way 
• Zamperini � injured trialist, although has been kept on... 
• Gascoigne � injured 
• Tal � rested? 
• Hughes � he was at the game, was his name on the team sheet?

So in came Alexandersson, Nyarko, and they played well as a team.  Simonsen only had a couple of things to do all night; it was all Everton.

On 11 mins, Osman had a 25-yd shot, their keeper had to turn the ball round the post. Nyarko was in the action on 18 mins, he had a long range shot slip just past the post.  On 28 mins McLeod was the provider from the left wing, the cross being met by an unmarked McKay who headed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net � a well taken goal.  On 34 mins, McKay was again on target, McLeod again the provider, almost identical to the first goal. Our 3rd goal was a bit bizarre: Nyarko had a shot, it hit the keeper and bounced up.  Alexandersson headed the ball over the keeper who was still on the floor 3 - 0.

McKay had to go off just before half time, he had blood coming thru his sock.

Half Time: Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 3 Everton

Winning by such a margin, we moved down a gear in the 2nd half. We were always in control, but we had a few chances.  Chadwick forced the keeper to save with his feet; Osman had a couple of shots one just past the post; another was goal bound, only to be denied by the keepers hand.

Sunderland beat Middlesbrough to stay top � John Oster scoring a late winner! � but Everton still have a game in hand....

 Manchester United 2 - 3 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Valentine, Clarke, Pilkington, Southern, Degn (46' Chadwick), Osman, Jevons, Seddon (67' Eaton), McLeod. 
Subs not used: Pettinger, Price, O'Hanlon.  Scorers: Jevons (24'), Eaton (72'), Chadwick (90')
Yellow Cards: Degn.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr A Penn.  Att: 692

Report on Official Everton Website

Gareth Seddon � Trialist.  20-year-old former Wigan youngster Seddon currently serving with the RAF, was recently with non-league Atherstone, where he scored 11 goals in 15 outings before the FA cancelled his contract � serving serviceman cannot be contracted to football clubs.
 

 Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, O'Hanlon, Valentine, Pilkington, Clarke {capt}, Southern, Tal, Osman, Jevons, Chadwick (74' Eaton), McLeod.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Price, Degn, Kearney.  Scorers: None 
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: D Drysdale.  Att: 3,215 

Steve Milne:  We may have lost to the old enemy tonight but we still remain top of the league.  Our rivals, Sunderland were beaten at home, 2-1 by Man City.

Tonight for once, our strikers just could not hit the target with any of their attempts.  A chances on 4 mins for Chadwick from inside the box, having his shot saved by the keeper; McLeod picking up the rebound, again the keeper saving his shot.  On 18 mins, we had a three versus two but Jevons, the final link in the chain, should have done better.

On the half hour, McLeod fired in a 30-yd shot, well wide of target.  Tal with a right wing cross, found Chadwick, whose first touch let him down � a wasted opportunity.

A couple of minutes later on 41 mins, Tal again, this time inside the box, had the ball at his feet. His shot was on target, forcing their keeper to make yet another superb save.  Injury time of the first half, both Jevons and Chadwick in the clear, ball at feet, only to be brought back to the half way line, for an Everton free kick � for what infringement, I am at a loss to explain....

Half time: Liverpool 0 - 0 Everton

Straight from the kick-off, McLeod put Chadwick through, beating the offside trap. He ran at the Liverpool goal, tried to place his shot in the bottom left hand corner, only for their keeper to again deny a certain goal.

On 54 mins, from 6 yds out, Chadwick blasted the ball goal bound... somehow, who knows how, the Liverpool keeper saved with his legs.

As you can imagine, Liverpool being Liverpool, had only two chances the entire 90 minutes.  On 69 mins, a long range shot past the Everton post.  On 70 mins, Biscan latched onto a free kick to score from close range, against the run of play.  

On 78 mins, with some fresh legs, Eaton pulled back from the byline, with a great ball into the path of Osman for a low pile-driver, but he saw his shot cleared off the line by the keeper's legs.  In fact, the difference between the two sides tonight was Pegguy Arphexad (the keeper! � one of Houllier's foreign army).  

 Everton 0 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Everton: Simonsen, Degn, Valentine, Hibbert, Clarke, Osman, Jevons, Kearney, Cadamarteri (78' Eaton), Seddon (68' Chadwick), McLeod.
Subs not used: Price, Pettinger.  Scorers: None. 
Yellow Cards: Degn (53'), Hibbert, Cadamarteri.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: E Evans.  Att: 469 

Steve Milne:  As nil-nils go, this one will be erased from the memory banks as soon as possible.  Simonsen showed a bit of class tonight with a couple of outstanding saves.  Firstly on 26 mins, a shot was blasted at him from 6-yds out and he calmly pushed it over the bar.  Then on 39 minutes, again a close-range effort was comfortably dealt with.  Osman had our only chance of note in the first half, which was a 25-yd effort on 33 mins, forcing their keeper to make the save.

The second half was as dismal for opportunities on goal as the first half.  Seddon, the trialist from the RAF, cut in from the right and should have laid the ball square but instead, shot at the near post which the keeper dealt with.  Osman on 68 mins turned and shot from 18 yds out, just going past the post. 

Then with the infusion of Chadwick, he used his pace to create a bit of disturbance.  In fact, on 74 mins, he had our best chance of the game and it was the woodwork and not the keeper that denied him a goal.

Blackburn did cause the Everton back four a bit of bother, which was the first time I have seen them in a quandary for quite a while.  We do, however, remain unbeaten at home and our championship quest remains on track....

 Everton 0 - 3 Manchester United

Everton: Simonsen, Degn (36' Sent Off!), Valentine, O'Hanlon, Clarke (45' Kearney), Osman, Hughes (37' Chadwick), Southern, Jevons, Moore (45' Eaton), McLeod.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Hogg.  Scorers: None 
Yellow Cards: [Degn (25' & 36')], Moore (43') Valentine (66').  Red Cards: Degn (36').  
Ref: S Castle.  Att:  1,515

Steve Milne:  Tonight was a must-win game with the season coming to a climax.  Everton, level on points with Sunderland, would have gone clear on the top of the reserve league, but alas, it was not to be.  United tore us apart, 1-0 down after 13 mins, United's Davies ran at the centre of our defence, unchallenged and, from the penalty spot, fired a right foot shot in off the post.

On the half hour mark, we were 2-0 down, this time Webber the goal scorer.  His left-foot shot across the front of the keeper, into the corner of the net.  Five minutes later, Everton were down to 10 men.  Degn sent off with a second yellow card.

It took the Blues until 40 mins to have their first real attempt at goal.  This came from Joe-Max Moore on the left hand side.  He hit a cross/shot across the face of goal but, with nobody able to put a foot out, it went straight past for a goal kick.

Half time: Everton 0 - 2 Manchester United

The second 45 mins were a bit brighter.  Osman on 50 mins had a shot 20 yds out, just slip past the post.  On 58 mins Jevons from wide right had a shot caught by their keeper underneath the bar and the keeper's body was well inside the goal (where is there a Russian linesman when you need one ?).

On 70 mins, we were 3-0 down.  Webber and Stewart combining with a nice 1-2, Stewart blasted the ball at Simonsen, who had absolutely no chance at saving the shot.

The big one now, will be on Monday night when we travel up to Sunderland and to have any chance of winning the league we have to beat them.

 Sunderland 1 - 1 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Cleland, McLeod, Hibbert, O'Hanlon, Gascoigne (23' Chadwick), Southern, Moore {capt}, Jevons, Osman, Tal.
Subs not used: Pettinger, Degn, Kearney.  Scorers: Jevons (72') 
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr G Brittain.  Att: 1,422

Steve Milne:  The rehabilitation of Paul Gascoigne lasted just 23 mins.  In fact, it only lasted 11 mins � that is when he pulled his hamstring.  Surely, he won't play another game this season.

Tonight's game was one we could not afford to lose, if we had any aspirations of winning the Reserve League.  Everton old boy, John Oster, took great delight in putting Sunderland ahead on 5 mins with the Everton defence standing still.  He nipped round the stranded keeper to side-foot the ball into the empty net.

It took us 20 mins to get into the swing of things.  Jevons had a half chance on the edge of the box but shot well wide.  On the half hour mark, Chadwick who had replaced Gascoigne, ran at the Sunderland defence a good 20 yds, and with his right foot shot, hit the post.  This was the closest we came in the first half.

Half time: Sunderland 1 - 0 Everton 

We came out battling.  On 58 mins, Joe-Max Moore saw his 35-yd free kick tipped over the bar by the keeper.  10 mins later, Chadwick, latched on to a particularly good cross and his flicked header just went past the post.

Jevons equalised on 72 mins from a diving header that went into the bottom corner of the goal.  Even the Sunderland fans applauded.  Jevons indeed could have sneaked the winner on 88 mins.  He latched on to a free kick and saw his effort just glance past the post.

As the state of play is, both teams have two games to go at the head of the League. Sunderland are 1 point in front, but have to play Liverpool and Leeds away.  We on the other hand, have Man City away and Bradford, the last game of the season, at home.  

Isn't it ironic that the first team are in desperate need of a win over Bradford at home to survive... while the reserve team need a win against Bradford at home to possibly win the league?

 Manchester City 2 - 4 Everton

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Cleland, Zamperini (45' O'Hanlon), Osman, McKay (45' Chadwick), Southern, Moore (Capt), Jevons, Tal.
Subs not used:  Pettinger, Valentine, Degn. 
Scorers: Jevons (pen:22', 46'), Chadwick (54'), Moore (90'). 
Yellow Cards: Cleland 67', Hibbert 76'.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: 'M J Dunford'!!!  Att: 504

Steve Milne:  In the league standings, Sunderland are ahead by 4 points.  We had to win tonight to have any chance of the league � and win, we did!  At the end, the 4-2 score line looked impressive, in reality, it was just a job well done.

It took 20 mins for Everton to make any real threat on the City goal.  Jevons was brought down in the penalty area by the City keeper.  He jumped up to convert the penalty, sent the keeper the wrong way.  1-0 up.

On the half hour, City clawed their way back into the game.  Cleland was at fault; he cleared the ball into the path of Myke, who then had a one-on-one with Simonsen to score their equaliser.

Half-time: Manchester City 1 - 1 Everton 

Jevons within 60 seconds of the restart, found the ball at his feet, having been put through from midfield.  From the left side of the box, he hit a cross shot to make the score 2-1.  Within a couple of minutes, City's Myke again found himself on the score sheet.  This time, he beat the offside trap and out paced McLeod to blast home, past the helpless Simonsen.

This was the cue for Everton to turn up the heat.  On 54 mins, the youngster Chadwick, 20 yds out, saw the keeper just off his line and gently chipped the ball, which went in off the underside of the bar, 3-2.  Southern on 75 mins, with the keeper outside the area, open goal, had a cheeky 40yd shot � not that far off target.

Our 4th of the night came on 90 mins.  Joe-Max Moore, latching on to the City cleared corner, rifled home a left-foot shot from the edge of the box, through a m�l�e of players, to make the final score 4-2.

That puts Everton just one point behind Sunderland with just one game each to play.  We hope that Leeds can help us by beating Sunderland in their last game of the season and we, on the other hand, take care of business against Bradford.  

 Everton 3 - 1 Bradford City

Everton: Simonsen, Hibbert, Naysmith, O'Hanlon, Pilkington, Southern {Capt}(90' Curran), Valentine, McKay, Jevons, Chadwick, McLeod. 
Subs not used: Kearney, Hogg, Degn.  Scorers: Chadwick (40', 53', 71')
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Ref: Mr N Yates.  Att: 598 

Steve Milne:  Destiny was in our own hands tonight. Come the hour, come the man.  Nick Chadwick was that man for his hat-trick; with some luck from Leeds on Thursday night, he may have clinched the league for The Blues.

Everton had most of the possession all night but it took nearly 40 mins to break down the Bradford defence.  Southern played the ball through and Chadwick beat the offside trap, ran at the keeper and calmly slipped the ball past him to open the scoring.

Half-time: Everton 1 - 0 Bradford City

We went further ahead on 53 mins.  McLeod with the corner kick; Chadwick nipped in at the back post to head his second of the game.  A couple of minutes later, Jevons should have increased the Everton lead with a point-blank shot that was somehow saved by the Bradford keeper.

On 71 mins, Bradford scored against the run of play.  Simonsen found himself in no-man's land when Dean Saunders � from near the penalty spot, unmarked � side-footed to make it 2-1.  Within a couple of minutes, Chadwick scored his hat-trick.  Again put through from midfield, and showing calmness under pressure in the box, he scored with aplomb.

So now, with our season done and dusted, we awaited the outcome of Thursday's game: Leeds Utd v Sunderland.  And with Leeds winning that match 2-1, it handed the Reserve League trophy to Everton � for the first time since 1968!

 RESERVES – APPEARANCES 2000-01

 Friendlies and Other Reserve-Team Matches

 Everton 5 - 1 Qatar

Everton: Simonsen; 
Cleland, DeCroix [trialist], Gemmill (82' O'Hanlon), Dunne (71' Clarke);  
Cadamarteri (74' Southern), Milligan (45' Degn), Moore (79' Osman), Ball (71' McKay); 
Campbell (71' McLeod (82' Hibbert)), Jevons.
Subs not used: Pettinger.  Scorers: Moore (3', 73); Campbell (49'); Ball (pen:61'); Jevons (68') 
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Att: 8.

Steve Milne:  With last night's reserve team game called off, today's unique friendly was hastily arranged to give all the fringe players � who have had virtually no playing time whatsoever this season � a chance to play under the watchful eye of Archie Knox and Sir Philip Carter.  It also gave the Qatar National side � who are in this country trying to gain some valuable playing experience � a helping hand.

Everton had the ball in the back of the net within 100 seconds but Joe-Max Moore's effort was ruled offside.  Within a minute, the ball at his feet again, and Moore made no mistake from close range: 1-0.

To say it was a bit of a mismatch was an understatement � although the visiting side did at times pass the ball quite well.  But 90% of the time, Everton were in complete control.

On 7 mins, Gemmill was brought down in the box for a penalty. Jevons � who normally dispatches from 12 yds out with consummate ease � fluffed it badly.  Ten mins later, Cadamarteri, who looked quite lively today, had a shot-cum-cross drift gently over the bar.

Qatar, who didn't trouble Simonsen very much, hit the post on 23 mins � their only attack of the first half.  On the half hour mark Campbell was 6 yds out, but his free header went just past the post.

Half-time: Everton 1 - 0 Qatar

Everton continued their dominance with Campbell running the show and, on 49 mins, he put his name on the score sheet, getting on the end of a Joe-Max Moore free kick with no Qatar defenders anywhere near him.

On 60 mins Campbell felled in the box, for our second penalty of the day, only this time Michael Ball assumed the responsibility, despatching the spot-kick in his usual clinical way with the ball flashing into the back of the net.

Within a minute, Qatar had pulled a goal back and I am going to lay the blame at Degn's feet... or should I say "head," for he failed miserably while clearing the ball to let the opposition score.

Jevons on 68 mins made it 4-1 with a nice run down the right, cutting into the box for a low, hard shot.  And finally the master goal-poacher, Joe-Max Moore rounded things off with Everton's fifth and final goal of the day from 6 yds out; he couldn't fail to score.

The scoreline reflects the talent that we have waiting in the wings to play for the first team.  Trialist DeCroix is a big strong centre-half, who played quite well, but personally, I think we should throw Peter Clarke into the ring.  

 Runcorn 0 - 1 Everton

Everton: Pettinger (45' O'Brien), Hibbert (45' Hogg), Valentine (45' R Southern), Pilkington (45' Lester), O'Hanlon (45' Eaton), Kearney (71' Carney), Milligan, K Southern, Chadwick (60' Symes), Osman, Curran (71' Crowder).
Sub not used: Price.  Scorers: Carney (79') 
Yellow Cards: None.  Red Cards: None.  Att: 667

Steve Milne:  With the first team still ravaged by injuries, Walter Smith decided to field a relatively young side.  Five of the starting line up have been regular reserve team players this season; the rest play mostly for the Under-19 side.

Everton's young guns did well against a more experienced Runcorn side.  They created nearly all the chances and Runcorn only tested the Everton keeper a couple of times throughout the whole 90 mins.

The Blues hit the bar through Keith Southern on 20 mins, who was 18 yds out.  Chadwick had a few goal-scoring chances.  Indeed, the young striker was our best player in the first 45 mins.

Half-time: Runcorn 0 - 0 Everton

Andy Holden decided to rest the more experienced reserves players, giving a combination of U-17 & U-19 players the chance to shine, with Robert Southern joining his brother Keith on the pitch.  Runcorn had a couple of chances � well, a couple of shots on target � but the veteran Kevin O'Brien (the reserves' goalkeeping coach!) dealt with the couple of shots fired at him.

On 64 mins, once again Everton rattled the Runcorn bar with a shot by Kearney from well outside the box and their keeper nowhere in sight...  1 minute later, it was Kearney again with another powerful shot, this time to be denied with a quite spectacular save.

On 77 mins, Crowder made an acrobatic overhead kick which was blocked by their defender throwing himself in front of the shot to stop what would have been a certain goal.

Carney's substitution must have been inspired for, on 79 mins and from 25 yds out, he scored a goal that the youngster must have dreamt about (Roy of the Rovers cartoon-strip style).  He saw the ball leave his foot like an Exocet missile and found its spot in the top right hand corner of the goal.  Even the Runcorn fans were giving him a rather large round of applause.