Everton Reserves' season in the FA Reserves Premier League (Northern Section)
FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (Northern Section)
The FA Premier Reserve League (FAPRL) is now composed of only the 20 teams making up the Premier League. It is split into two sections — North and South, with only 18 games scheduled on the fixture list for each club as a result. Once uponm a time, the Reserves provide da resource of players who could turn out for the senior team when first-choice players got injured. But that poaradigm has pretty much gone by tyhe wayside, which seems odd in these days of "squad rotation" — something David Moyes hasn't really got his head aaround
RESULTS AND FIXTURES, 2007-08
(F) denotes Friendly fixture (XI) denotes Friendly fixture involving an Everton XI (not necessarily the first team) LSC denotes a tie in the Liverpool Senior Cup
FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (NORTH), 2007-08
RESERVE MATCH DETAILS, 2007-08
Manchester United 1 - 0 Everton
Everton: Ruddy; Densmore, Irving, Dennehy, Boyle; Vidarsson, Morrison, Harpur (74'Krenn) ; Jutkiewicz (83' Downes), Agard, Kissock . Subs not used: Jones, Spencer, Sinnott, Barnett . Scorers: None Yellow Cards: none. Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: 1,323
A late goal from Manchester United substitute Febian Brandy condemned Everton to defeat in their opening FA Barclays Premier Reserve League match of the season. Andy Holden’s men gave a good account of themselves and were left counting the cost of a controversial first-half decision.
A sweeping eighth minute move ended with John Paul Kissock’s cross being headed home by Kieran Agard only for a linesman to rule the ball had crossed the goalline before Kissock centred.Steven Morrison also went close for the Blues with a 25-yard free-kick after Kissock had been fouled in full flight. United’s best chance of the first-half came when the lively Fraizer Campbell blasted over from close range after Lee Martin’s shot had been blocked into his path.
United enjoyed the better of the second period in terms of chances but the Blues defended resolutely. John Ruddy was solid in goal, producing a fine full-length save to deny saves Darron Gibson before denying Campbell with good handling. But he could only parry Sean Evans’s 84th minute drive and Brandy, on as a replacement for Dong Fangzhou, turned the ball in from close range.
Everton 1 - 2 Sunderland
Everton: Wessels; Densmore, Sinnott, Irving, Boyle; Vidarsson, Van der Meyde, Morrison; Kissock, Agard, Jutkiewicz . Subs not used: Jones, Downes, Harpur, McCarten, Spencer Scorers: Jutkiewicz Yellow Cards: Sinnott, Vidarsson, Morrison Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: 514
Everton reserves slipped to their second consecutive defeat of the season with a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland. A late David Connolly penalty earned the Black Cats all three points when Bjarni Vidarsson handled the ball inside the area on 87 minutes.
A sublime effort from Lukas Jutkiewicz from 20-yards out gave the Blues the lead on 18 minutes before Connolly equalised for the Black Cats a minute before half-time. Debutant Stefan Wessels was tested in the opening exchanges from Cole and Kavanagh with the German keeper pulling off two good saves. The Blues’ first sight of goal came on eight minutes when Steven Morrison flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
A moment of sheer quality gave Everton the lead. Jutkiewicz, the summer acquisition from Swindon, unleashed an unstoppable curling shot past Darren Ward to land in the top corner. The Black Cats - with a watching Roy Keane inside the Halton Stadium - pressed forward in search of an equaliser and hit the bar through Billy Dennehy before Connolly stabbed the ball past Wessels from close range following Kavanagh’s knock down on 44.
Wessels was enjoying a solid debut saving from point blank range to deny Dennehy on 50 minutes. Andy Holden’s side should have taken the lead when Kieran Agard had his shot cleared off the line by Jake Richardson, son of former Everton midfielder and now-Sunderland reserve team boss Kevin.Sunderland took the lead with three minutes left on the clock when Vidarsson was adjudged to have handled inside the area. Referee Matadar pointed to the spot and Connolly stepped up and made no mistake.
Everton 3 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Everton: Turner (45' Jones) ; Irving, Boyle, Sinnott, Dennehy; Harpur, Morrison (73' Downes), Vidarsson; Kissock, Jutkiewicz, Agard. Subs not used: Rodwell, Spencer, Krenn Scorers: Agard, Morrison 2 (1 pen) Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: 541
Everton went ahead in the 11th minute when Kieran Agard played his way past three defenders to fire home past Frank Fielding in the visitors’ goal. Everton lacked concentration minutes later, however, as Rovers levelled. Jamie Clarke’s pull back found Raffaele de Vita who smashed the ball past Iain Turner, making his first start of the season following a groin injury.
Both sides had chances to add to their tally but it was Everton who struck just after the half hour when hesitancy in the Rovers defence let in Steven Morrison to score from close range. The home side extended their lead with a penalty in the second half, John Paul Kissock was brought down by Rostyn Griffiths in the box and Morrison got his second and Everton’s third with the spot-kick. Blackburn pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining when Darren Dennehey brought down Clarke and he got up to slot home past substitute keeper Jamie Jones.
Match Reports: Official Website icLiverpool Website
Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Everton
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Dennehy, Harpur (70' Downes), Morrison, Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Agard (Molynuex 54), Kissock. Subs not used: Jones?, Spencer?, Rodwell? Scorer: Molyneux Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Things looked bright early on as Steven Morrison’s 25-yard effort was saved by keeper Brad Jones after 12 minutes. Striker Kieran Agard also went close but it was the home side who took the lead on 36 minutes. John Johnson headed past Everton keeper John Ruddy from close range.
Just four minutes into the second half Middlesbrough doubled their advantage. A through ball saw Ben Hutchinson put pressure on Everton defender John Irving and as he attempted to clear the danger he put the ball into his own net. Just six minutes later Stephen Thomson sealed the points for Boro when he volleyed home. Substitute Lee Molyneux tapped in with 11 minutes left, but it was no more than a consolation for Everton.
Everton 2 - 0 Manchester City
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Dennehy (Molynuex 89), Rodwell, Morrison (Agard 74), Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Downes (Harpur 74), Kissock. Subs not used: Jones, Spencer. Scorers: Downes, Agard Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Former Everton defender Michael Ball was in the visitors’ line-up as Andy Holden fielded a young side. A first half of virtually no chances went by, with a few long-range efforts at both ends the only notable action.
The second period was better and Everton began to control the game with John Paul Kissock in particular making a nuisance of himself on the left-wing. Aidan Downes had a couple of shots saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the City goal but eventually his persistence paid off. On the hour mark a long free-kick was headed down by Lucas Jutkiewicz for Downes to cleverly move to one side and finish well.
Everton then made a couple of substitutions. One of them, Kieran Agard, was in the right place at the right time to slide the ball home on 78 minutes. Sam Williamson nearly caught out Everton keeper John Ruddy with a cross-cum-shot but apart from that City failed to trouble the shot-stopper.
Bolton Wanderers 0 - 1 Everton
Everton: Ruddy; Densmore, Valente (McCarten), Irving, Boyle; Harpur, Van der Meyde (Morrison) , Vidarsson; Jutkiewicz, Downes (Agard), Kissock Subs not used: Jones? Spencer? Scorers: Jutkiewicz Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
A goal from Lukas Jutkiewicz midway through the second half earned the Blues their second consecutive win of the season following the 2-0 victory against Manchester City last time out. Andy Holden opted for a relatively young side with the notable exceptions of Nuno Valente and Andy van der Meyde.
In a game of seldom chances, Everton took the lead through Jutkiewicz. Following a neat flick on from Aidan Downes, the youngster volleyed home from close range. The experienced duo of van der Meyde and Valente completed an hour of the match at the Lancashire FA before being substituted. The Trotters piled on the pressure late on but some resolute defending saw the Blues edge home a narrow win.
Everton 1 - 1 Newcastle United
Everton: Ruddy; Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Rodwell; Vidarsson, Van der Meyde, Anderson, Kissock; Jutkiewicz, Downes. Subs not used: Jones, Harpur, Morrison, Spencer, Sinnott. Scorers: Jutkiewicz Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
John Paul Kissock went very close to opening the scoring early on but shot straight at the United keeper Fraser Forster and then it was Anderson de Silva’s turn to test the visitors with a powerful shot just over. Newcastle led midway through the second half, when James Troisi was tripped in the box by Patrick Boyle and Shola Ameobi converted the penalty.
Everton wouldn’t lie down and chances for Downes, Vidarsson and Jutkiewicz and looked in vain before the former Swindon Town striker hit the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.
Wigan Athletic 1 - 5 Everton
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Rodwell, Harpur, Downes (Morrison 68), Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Vaughan (Agard 70), Van der Meyde. Subs not used: Stubhaug, McCarten. Scorers: Vaughan, Van der Meyde, Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Rodwell Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Within minutes of the kick-off Vaughan had produced an audacious overhead kick from the edge of the box that forced Wigan keeper Neil Postlethwaite into pushing the ball over the bar. The visitors remained the most threatening, with a decent run from Lukas Jutkiewicz culminating in a shot that Postlethwaite did well to stop with his legs. At the other end Wigan were restricted to efforts from distance.
A second overhead kick from Vaughan followed minutes later by a miss from close range, and on 36 minutes the teenage star opened the scoring, combining well with Jutkiewicz before slotting the ball beyond the keeper from 12 yards. The goalscorer turned provider four minutes later, sliding in Van der Meyde after a flowing move through the centre, and the ex-Dutch international made no mistake with a cool right-footed finish into the far corner of the net.
The Latics responded well, defender Luke Ashworth heading in from a corner to give the home fans something to cheer about seconds before the interval. Everton wasted no time restoring their two-goal cushion though, Vidarsson heading home two minutes into the second period. Jutkiewicz made it four midway through the second half – although the fact his effort made it into the net from a tight angle on the left of the box owed a great deal to a half-hearted save from Postlethwaite.
Vaughan and van der Meyde had been removed from the action by the time the fifth goal went in. A great run down the left from Ryan Harpur had the Wigan defence on the back foot, before Rodwell hit the fifth with a low, 15-yard shot into the corner of the net.
Liverpool 3 - 0 Everton
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Rodwell, Harpur, Kissock, Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz (Morrison 78),Vaughan (Agard 59), Van der Meyde (O'Kane 68). Subs not used: N/A Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Everton included Andy van der Meyde and James Vaughan, but both left the field injured in the second half. Patrick Boyle put through his own net after just 11 minutes when attempting to clear a Ronald Huth shot but Everton were within a whisker of an equaliser just before half-time when Ryan Harpur’s shot hit the outside of the post.
The second half was all Liverpool. Everton produced a late rally that saw John Irving head against the bar and John-Paul Kissock and Kieran Agard both denied by Liverpool’s keeper.
Everton 2 - 2 Manchester United
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Baines (72 Harpur), Irving, Dennehy, Rodwell, Morrison, Vidarsson, Vaughan (72 Downes), Anichebe (72 Agard), Kissock Subs not used: Stubhaug, O'Kane Scorers: Anichebe, Vaughan Yellow Cards: Baines, Irving Red Cards: Irving Ref: — Att: #
The Blues were ahead after just 12 minutes when Victor Anichebe hit a shot from just outside the box which deflected and looped over Zieler in the United goal. Everton were giving United the run around at this point and went into a two-goal lead five minutes later when John Paul Kissock, who also set up the first goal played in James Vaughan and he shot into Zieler’s right hand corner of the goal.
The visitors had Gary Neville in their side and it was the veteran defender who equalised for United on 21 minutes, cutting in from the right and hitting a speculative shot which deflected past John Ruddy for 2-1. It all went wrong for Everton just before the break when John Irving conceded a penalty and was sent off for fouling Brandy in the box. The dismissal was harsh but some justice was done when United missed the spot-kick.
The visitors were level midway through the second half when a good ball from Hewson put in Sean Evans and he dummied a defender before firing right-footed past Ruddy. United had a couple of chances to snatch it but Everton's 10 men held on.
Everton 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Barnett, Sinnott, Dennehy, Morrison, Gosling, Rodwell, Agard (84' Codling), Downes (Baxter 84), Connor. Subs not used: Jones, McCarten, Harpur. Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Dan Gosling almost netted in the first minute but Everton’s second string had to settle for a stalemate with Middlesbrough in Widnes. Gosling was deployed in a midfield position and the new recruit from Plymouth Argyle displayed delightful control to strike a sumptuous volley from the edge of the area but his effort flew inches over the crossbar.
Jose Baxter made his first (sub) appearance at this level, coming on for the last 6 mins.
Manchester City 4 - 2 Everton
Everton: Wessels, Densmore, Baines (75' Harpur), Irving, Dennehy, Gosling, Rodwell, Morrison, Downes, Vaughan (75' Agard), Anichebe (76' Sinnott). Subs not used: Jones, O'Kane. Scorers: Vaughan, Morrison (pen) Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Felipe Caicedo met Emile Mpenza’s pass and the striker fired past Stefan Wessels to open the scoring. Victor Anichebe, partnering James Vaughan in attack, went close soon after but it was City who doubled their lead. Caicedo turned provider for Nery Castillo, who fired home a shot from the edge of the area.
A minute later Everton were 3-0 down. A mix up between John Irving and Wessels let in Mpenza who rolled the ball home. City grabbed a fourth through Mpenza after pass from Garrido. Everton rallied in the second half and Vaughan pulled a goal back on 68 minutes and Steven Morrison scored a penalty in the last minute.
Newcastle United 3 - 0 Everton
Everton: Turner; Densmore, Gardner, Irving, Dennehy; Gosling, Rodwell, Harpur; Morrison, Downes, Agard. Subs not used: Jones, O'Kane, Sinnott, Baxter, Codling Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Anthony Gardner made his first appearance in a Blue shirt but was unable to prevent Everton from crashing to a 3-0 defeat on Tyneside. Newcastle took the lead early on as Everton defender John Irving got himself into all sorts of trouble before putting the ball past his own keeper Iain Turner, who was returning from injury.
Everton had chances of their own through Kieran Agard and Aidan Downes and were still in the game before Magpies striker Andy Carroll scored twice in the last five minutes to seal victory for the home side.
Everton 1 - 2 Wigan Athletic
Everton: Turner (36' Jones); McArdle, Densmore, Gardner, Dennehy; Gosling, Harpur, Rodwell; Agard, Downes, Morrison. Subs not used: Connor, Baxter, Codling, Sinnott. Scorers: Agard Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Anthony Gardner got another 90 minutes under his belt following his outing against Newcastle last week, but unfortunately Iain Turner was forced to withdraw from the game after just 35 minutes. The keeper appeared to injure his leg while taking a goal kick.
Aghahowa broke the deadlock after dispossessing Gardner. The Wigan striker then forced a good save from Turner from six yards, but unfortunately the ball fell straight back to the Nigerian who, at the second attempt, fired home.
Agard looked very lively in the opening period and it was his pressure on Wigan's Russel Saunders that caused the keeper to fumble and almost create a goal. Then, just after the half hour, Agard found himself in space 30 yards out. And when his team mates failed to create any movement in the box, he let fly into the top right hand corner.
Debutant right-back Lee McArdle almost gave the Blues the lead 20 minutes into the second half when a cross-come-shot had visiting keeper Saunders worried as the effort threatened to dip under the bar. Striker Cwyka found himself in possession on the left hand edge of the penalty area and let fly. Substitute keeper Jamie Jones made a fine effort to deflect the effort, but it found the net. Everton had a chance of equalising late on, but a 20-yard strike from Dan Gosling produced another good stop by Saunders.
Sunderland 0 - 0 Everton
Everton: Jones; Densmore, Irving, Dennehy, Molyneux; Harpur, Morrison (77 Akpan), Rodwell; Agard, Connor (68 O'Kane), McCarten. Subs not used: McEntagart, Sinnott Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: Dennehy Ref: — Att: #
There weren’t many chances for either side, although Lewis Codling was denied early on by a superb save from the Sunderland keeper, while at the other end Sunderland winger Billy Dennehy, the brother of Everton’s Darren, went close to breaking the deadlock but was off target. Midway through the second half Everton keeper Jamie Jones made a fine save from Anthony Stokes before Dennehy was shown a straight red card after he pulled back Jordan Cook as he went through on goal.
Everton had to hold on for the last 20 minutes with 10 men, but they defended well and Sunderland didn’t create any real openings as the match ended goalless.
Everton 2 - 3 Bolton Wanderers
Everton: Jones; Densmore, Valente (46' Akpan), Irving, Gardner; Morrison , Connor (68 O'Kane), Harpur; Agard, Codling, Molyneux. Subs not used: Stubhaug, Sinnott, McCarten. Scorers: Morrison 2 (1 pen) Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Daniel Braaten fired the visitors into the lead after 13 minutes and just six minutes later it was 2-0. Kevin Wolze curled a terrific free-kick past Jamie Jones. Steven Morrison’s determination forced a goal just after the half-hour mark to give Everton hope.
Robert Sissons should have increased the visitors’ lead from the spot after Valente had fouled but Jones was equal to the kick. Valente was replaced by Hope Akpan in the second half and Everton got themselves level midway through the half when Lewis Codling was brought down in the box and up stepped Morrison for his and Everton’s second. But with two minutes to go Wolze’s deflected shot went in off John Irving for the winner.
Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool
Everton: Jones; Densmore, Molyneux, Irving, Dennehy; Harpur, O’Kane, Rodwell; Agard, Morrison (Baxter 70), Connor (Codling 71). Subs not used: Stubhaug, Sinnott, McCarten. Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
Everton started the strongest with Eunan O’Kane firing just over after seven minutes. The Liverpool defence was again under pressure when Jack Rodwell looked odds on to score at the far post, but somehow shot wide. Liverpool slowly got into the game and began to take control, confirmed when they scored on 62 minutes. Everton worked hard to get back into the game but Liverpool were always comfortable.
Blackburn Rovers 3 - 0 Everton
Everton: Jones; Densmore, Molyneux, Irving, Sinnott; Rodwell, Morrison, Harpur, Baxter; Agard (Codling 67), O’Kane. Subs not used: Stubhaug, McCarten, Barnett, Powell. Scorers: None Yellow Cards: — Red Cards: — Ref: — Att: #
The visitors fielded a young line-up and lost out 3-0 at Morecambe’s Christie Park. Rovers striker Alan Judge was the star of the show as he netted a hat- trick. Steven Morrison, Kieran Agard and Jose Baxter all attempted to level the scores before the break, while Jones denied Jamie Clarke not long after the opener.
Agard was repelled by home keeper Jason Brown who went full length to deny the striker midway through the half. Everton’s hopes of an equaliser were extinguished in the 53rd minute when Judge got his second goal. Sergio Peter was impeded by Shaun Densmore in the box and a penalty awarded, with the young forward making no mistake from the spot.
Judge completed his treble with 15 minutes left, cutting in from the left and powering the ball past Jamie Jones. Jones was in action again moments later, denying Andy Haworth. Everton substitute Lewis Codling went after a consolation goal late on, but Brown was again on hand to save his side.
LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP, 2007-08
Everton: Ruddy; Densmore, Barnett, Sinnott, Dennehy; Gosling, Morrison, Rodwell (53 O'Kane); Agard (68' Codling), Downes (68' Baxter), Connor. Subs not used: Jones, Stewart . Scorers: None Yellow Cards: Sinott Red Cards: — Ref: Ref Att: #
Dan Gosling made his first public appearance in the Blue of Everton. In the first minute Steven Morrison fired wide but the Reds soon began to find joy with their passing game. John Ruddy had to save twice early on. Stephen Connor had a shot cleared off the line but Liverpool took the lead in the 40th minute. Gerard Bruna produced a crisp left-footed effort from the edge of the box after a centre wasn't adequately cleared.
Aidan Downes tried to reply straight away but his strike was wide of the goal. Everton attempted to impose themselves in the second period but found clear-cut opportunities hard to come by. Jose Baxter provided a late spark after coming on as a substitute but his enterprising play couldn't find a way to keep Everton in the competition.
RESERVES – APPEARANCES, 2007-08
Regulars from last season who appear to have moved on include:
Scott Phelan
James Dunn
Geoffrey Ilmudia
Matthew Elder
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES, 2007
Stirling Albion 1 - 1 Everton Reserves
Everton: .Jones; Densmore, Barnett, Irving, Dennehy;, Harpur, Vidarsson, Morrison (50' Kissock); Connor, Agard, Van der Meyde. Subs not used: McEntagart, Spencer, Stewart, McCarten, Downes, Kissock, Hall, Scorers: Agard Yellow Cards: # Red Cards: # Ref: # Att: #
The young Blues side began the game in accomplished fashion and enjoyed some decent periods of possession. Stephen Connor had a couple of early bursts but none of his crosses were met by an Everton touch. But Stirling took the lead on 17 minutes with their first strike of the game when Chris Aitken curled home a direct free kick.
Shaun Densmore was smartly out of the wall five minutes later to prevent a repeat effort from the same player and then David McKenna fired a presentable opportunity over for the Scots.Chances proved hard to come by for the young Everton side, with Bjarni Vidarsson stumbling when van der Meyde's pull back found the Icelander on the edge of the box a few minutes before half time.
Just three minutes into the second period Everton came close to an equaliser when Densmore's cross was clawed away and Connor's rebound came back off the bar.Moments later Densmore was in action at the other end when his sliding challenge challenge denied sub Colin Cramb.Cramb then nodded the corner wide from four yards and promptly sidefooted over two more presentable opportunities as the Binos pushed for a second goal.
Agard did have the ball in the net for Everton with 15 minutes left but the flag was raised for a marginal offside decision. The former Arsenal youth teamer was in again moments later but this time his touch let him down and keeper Scott Christie collected.idarsson and Connor produced a late headers but neither effort looked likely to level the scores until Agard pounced on a Darren Dennehy knockdown in the final minute.
Kendal Town 2 - 3 Everton
Everton: McEntegart; Densmore, Barnett, Irving, Dennehy; Harpur, van der Meyde, Kissock (59' Morrison), Downes (46' Agard), Connor, Vidarsson. Subs not used: N/A Scorers: Vidarsson 2, Harpur Yellow Cards: # Red Cards: # Ref: # Att:
A brace from Bjarni Vidarsson and a goal from Ryan Harpur settled an entertaining affair at the Planet Conservatories Stadium. The Unibond Premier League side gave a spirited display but the energy and guile of the Blues shone through.
Kendal started the brighter of the two sides with Peter Wright forcing keeper Michael McEntegart into a diving save on 12 minutes. Shortly after Aidan Downes created the Blues’ first chance of the afternoon. Downes collected a through ball from Vidarsson, the striker weaved his way through the Kendal defence into the penalty area but only a last ditch tackle from John Forbes stopped Downes from shooting.
Everton were enjoying the majority of the possession with Vidarsson and John Paul Kissock orchestrating proceedings in the middle of the park but the Blues could find a way through a resilient Kendal defence. Harpur tried his luck from 25-yards but the shot sailed over Rogerson’s crossbar. The Blues defence were marshalling the strike force of Wright and Foster well with Darren Dennehy and Shaun Densmore producing a number of well timed tackles.
On 34 minutes Everton broke the deadlock. From Kissock’s corner Vidarsson towered above his marker to loop his header over the keeper into the back of the net. Two minutes later Vidarsson put the ball into the back of the net after Rogerson spilled the ball but the assistant referee ruled the goal out for offside. Moments before half-time, Scott Redhead found himself one on one with McEntegart but the young keeper stood his ground and collected the ball from the winger's feet.
Andy Holden made one change for the second half with Kieran Agard replacing Downes. Kendal drew level five minutes after the restart when Rehead chipped the ball over McEntegart from a tight angle. However less than 60 seconds later, Harpur unleashed a bullet shot from six yards out which left the keeper with no chance as the ball hit the roof of the net.
Substitute Gareth Arnison scored with his first touch to make the score 2-2. Arnison beat the offside trap and hit a shot from 10-yards which beat the keeper at the near post.Vidarsson scored his second goal of the game on 66 minutes. The Icelander met Andy van der Meyde’s pin point cross to powerfully head the ball home. Substitutes Agard and Steven Morrison had decent chances before van der Meyde saw his overhead kick skim inches over the bar. Redhead tested the reflexes of McEntegart with less than five minutes left but it was not enough to grab a late equaliser for the non-league side.
Warrington Town 1 - 2 Everton
Everton:Jones Densmore Irving Dennehy Boyle Kissock Morrison Vidarsson Krenn Agard Downes (64' Spencer) Subs not used: Hall, McEntegert, Sinnott, Stewart, Barnett. Scorers: Agard, Morrison Yellow Cards: # Red Cards: # Ref: # Att: #
The game started brightly, with three goals inside 18 minutes. But that bright opening was not replicated throughout the contest, despite some neat, incisive passing moves from the Blues in the second period as they attempted to extend the advantage they built up early in the game. Kieran Agard had the first sight of goal, firing wide from the edge of the box in the eighth minute.
He made no mistake a minute later, bursting through the heart of the Warrington defence and sliding the ball calmly under the body of the advancing keeper. The lead didn't last long though, midfielder Steve Latham blasting past Jamie Jones from 25 yards in the 12th minute.
Steven Morrison restored Everton's advantage six minutes later as the game continued its lively opening, curling a sweet right-footed free-kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net from 25 yards after Bjarni Vidarsson had been fouled.Everton had the better of the possession without finding the passes capable of exploiting the speed and energy of forward-pairing Agard and Aidan Downes.
The duo came into the game more after the interval and combined to good effect on 53 minutes, only for a brave save from Danny Vickers to deny Agard. Downes was replaced by Scott Spencer, but the attacking flow was unaffected - the new arrival testing Vickers with a decent effort moments after his arrival.
In the heart of midfield, summer arrival from Austrian side Admirawacker George Krenn showed some nice touches and one dizzying run into the box should have provided the third goal for the Blues. Agard continued to be the biggest threat though, continuing to get into strong positions only to fail to capitalise.Instead, the two early goals proved to be enough as the reserves continued their preparations for the new season with a victory.
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