Match Summary

Andy Johnson was mysteriously absent for this one, fuelling speculation that a move to Fulham was imminent.  Lots of kids in the squad again as Everton await the return of numerous holiday-makers and injury recoveries, with no new signings still, and less than a month before the big kick-off.

Most of the real action was confined to a two-minute spell inside the first 10 minutes and it was all about young starlet Jose Baxter.  First he struck a lovely free-kick that smacked into the angle.  Then, he swung in a superb corner with excellent technique, giving Jagielka a nice opportunity to open the scoring with a good header from the middle of the area. 

And that was it really.  Andy van der Meyde looked good again against the lower league competition, and even did a bit of defending.  Jack Rodwell once again looked competent and confident on the ball. Gosling made his first Everton appearance of the pre-season and was seriously unimpressive. Arteta came on for a short spell in the second half to continue his gentle rehabilitation after stomach/groin surgery.

 Michael Kenrick

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