EVERTON RESERVES, 2008-09

 FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (Northern Section)

The FA Premier Reserve League (FAPRL) is composed of just 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 upon a time, the Reserves provided a resource of players who could turn out for the senior team when first-choice players got injured.  But that paradigm has pretty much gone by the wayside, which seems odd in these days of "squad rotation" — something David Moyes hasn't really got his head around. He just likes to have a "small, tight-knit" first-team squad, with the Reserves a somewhat pointless extension of the Youth Academy.

 RESULTS AND FIXTURES, 2008-09         

 RESERVE MATCH DETAILS, 2008-09

 Hull City 1 - 2 Everton

Everton: Turner; Irving, Molyneux, Sinnott, McCarten; Akpan, Baxter, Wallace, Kissock,  Jutkiewicz, Vaughan.
Subs not used:  A Davies, Agard, Spencer, Barnett, McCready  Scorers: Vaughan (32'), Jutkiewicz (82')
Yellow Cards: none.  Red Cards: — 

Vaughan's goal was a typical snapshot inside the box just after the half-hour mark. But it always looked like the Blues would require a second goal - and so it proved when the Tigers hit back after the break. But Andy Holden's side kept on battling and secured a winning goal on 82 minutes when Lukas Jutkiewicz sidefooted home an excellent left-wing cross from Lee Molyneux.

Vaughan had previously been withdrawn with twenty minutes left, and the defence, marshalled by the impressive skipper John Irving, held firm.

 Everton 1 - 0 Manchester City

Everton: Turner, Irving, Molyneux, Barnett, Sinnott, Akpan, Baxter, Wallace, Jutkiewicz, Agard (Spencer), Kissock.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, O'Kane, McCarten, Codling.  Scorers: Jutkiewicz (69')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Everton did most of the pressing in a first half light on goal mouth action but Lee Molyneux tested City keeper Johansen on 12 minutes. City grew stronger in the second half and Caicedo was a constant threat but it was Everton who took the lead in the 69th minute. Lukas Jutkiewicz made space for himself inside the City penalty box and fired past Johansen with a crisp shot.

 Everton 2 - 2 Middlesbrough

Everton: Nash; Irving, Valente, Barnett, Sinnott (Molyneux); Wallace, Baxter, Gosling; Vaughan, Anichebe, Kissock
Subs not used:  Ruddy, Agard, Spencer, Akpan.   Scorers: Gosling (1'), Vaughan (21')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Everton fielded a strong side consisting of five players with Premier League experience – and that proved too much for a Boro side in the first half as they to get a grasp of the game. Everton started with an impressive strike-force of Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan and their first goal came in the opening minute of the game after a through ball from John Irving played in Anichebe. The Nigerian international’s shot was parried directly into the feet of Dan Gosling, who had the composure to hit the target from 10 yards.

Vaughan then put the hosts 2-0 up after just 12 minutes when Jose Baxter put the striker through on goal. One-on-one with the goalkeeper Vaughan showed the coolness to take the ball around the Middlesbrough custodian, before passing it into the net. However, a header and penalty from Boro’s Tom Craddock on 68 minutes and 71 minutes ensured the visitors earned a share of the spoils.

Carolo Nash, who was making his first appearance in goal for the Blues on the night, was rarely trouble, as the Everton defence forced Boro to settle for speculative efforts from 25 yards.  Middlebrough’s Joe Bennett went into the book on 42 minutes after a tackle which went through the back of Baxter – a foul that could have seen red in the Premier League.  The rain lashed down in the second half, and appeared to dampen the Blues’ competitiveness – allowing Boro back into the game.

Tom Craddock was found unmarked in the area on 68 minutes and headed past Nash in the Everton goal, who had no chance. Craddock then put his side two up just minutes later when Boro were awarded a penalty after Sinnott grabbed the shirt of the opposition. The Middlesbrough striker had no problem in converting the penalty. Chances were few and far between in the final 20 minutes and in the end Andy Holden’s side were forced to settle for a draw.

 Liverpool 2 - 3 Everton

Everton: Nash; Irving, Molyneux, Barnett, McCarten; Gosling, Kissock, Wallace; Vaughan, Anichebe (Agard 84), Baxter (Akpan 62).
Subs not used: Turner, Sinnott, Spencer.  Scorers: Vaughan 69, 82 Molyneux 72
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards:

After a low key first half, the game exploded to life in the second half as Liverpool went into a two-goal lead through goals from Jordy Brouwer and Gerardo Bruna.

Brouwer opened the scoring 10 minutes after the break with a simple finish after a fine move ended with a shot by midfielder Jay Spearing, being spilled by Everton keeper Carlo Nash, which allowed the Dutch striker his chance to put Liverpool ahead. Bruna added a spectacular second 11 minutes later when he curled in a superb free-kick from the left, having been denied by the post seconds earlier.

Vaughan, who had seen a goal chalked off for offside, headed Everton back into the game two minutes later from substitute Hope Akpan’s cross from the right. Then Lee Molyneux’s stunning free-kick levelled the scores on 69 minutes.  Both sides continued to trade blows before Vaughan landed the killer punch nine minutes from time when he beat Dean Bouzanis to an Anichebe through ball and lofted the ball into the empty net to make it 3-2.

Liverpool pressed for an equaliser, and went close through midfielder Spearing, Danny Pacheco and Brouwer, but Everton survived six minutes of stoppage time to hold on for victory.

 Everton 0 - 3 Bolton

Everton: Turner; Irving, Barnett, McCarten, Molyneux; Van der Meyde (Agard), Wallace, Gosling, Akpan, Kissock (O'Kane); Vaughan.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Sinnott, Spencer  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

 Blackburn 2 - 1 Everton

Everton: Turner; Irving, Barnett, McCarten, Molyneux; Gosling, Rodwell, Castillo; Jutkiewicz, Vaughan, Anichebe.
Subs not used:   Stubhaug, Kissock, Wallace, O’Kane, Agard.  Scorers: Vaughan (65')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Lee Molyneux saw an early  free-kick pushed away by the home keeper early on, but Everton fell behind on 11 minutes when Keith Treacy’s cross from the left, was headed down by Matt Derbyshire and Hodge fired home. Everton pressed for the equaliser but had to wait until 20 minutes into the second half.  Dan Gosling’s superb right-wing cross was headed home by Vaughan, from 10 yards.

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell was lucky not to be sent off as, after being cautioned for a off-the-ball incident, his late challenge on minute Julio Santa Cruz could easily have seen the referee book him again. Thankfully he was let off with just a stern warning.  As the match entered the final moments Hodge lobbed home the winner from the edge of the area.

 Everton 1 - 0 Newcastle United

Everton: Nash; Hibbert, Barnett, McCarten, Baines; Wallace, Gosling, Castillo, Kissock; Jutkiewicz, Anichebe.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, McCready, Agard, Molyneux, Nsiala.  Scorers: Jutkiewicz (24')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored the winning goal but Andy Holden’s side has two goals disallowed in the first half. A strong Everton line-up, which included first-teamers Leighton Baines, Tony Hibbert and Victor Anichebe, were too strong for the visitors. Anichebe had an effort disallowed before Jutkiewicz — who had another goal ruled out — headed home Hibbert’s cross on 24 minutes.

 Wigan 2 - 1 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Powell, Barnett (Baxter 46), McCarten, Molyneux; Wallace, Gosling, Rodwell, Kissock (Akpan 65); Agard, Jutkiewicz
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Nsiala, McCready.  Scorers: Gosling (pen:36')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Wigan were the first side to really threaten, with an incisive run from Tomasz Cywka on 10 minutes culminating in a low shot beating John Ruddy but finding the upright and flashing across the face of goal. They then fired wide through Lewis Field from a corner in what was proving an open game.

At the other end, James Wallace sent a header narrowly over from a Lee Molyneux centre. The home side were enjoying longer spells in possession and stretching the Blues. The Blues had a penalty to take the lead shortly after the half-hour mark - Dan Gosling the scorer after being felled by goalkeeper Richard Kingson. The keeper was forced into the foul after only managing to parry a Jack Rodwell shot from distance.

But the home side were not behind for long, courtesy of a close range effort from Craig Mahon - Wigan's most impressive performer - on 43 minutes. As at the opening of the first period, Cywka had a great opportunity - this time denied by a fine save from Ruddy. At the other end, Everton were guilty of an amazing miss, Kieran Agard's back-post header from a Gosling centre bouncing down off the bar and towards Lukas Jutkiewicz, who somehow sent his shot over the bar.

Gosling headed over from a corner and Baxter flashed a low drive from distance wide as Everton continued to search for a goal in a full-blooded encounter that brought a series of cards. It was another foul - and ensuing caution - that brought the third goal of the game. Jack Rodwell penalised for a challenge on the edge of the box which was punished by a well-taken free-kick from Matty Hampson with five minutes left to play.

Jutkiewicz could have levelled as the game entered injury-time but he mis-cued from close range.

 Everton 0 - 0 Sunderland

Everton: Turner, Nsiala, Barnett, Gosling, Craig, McCarten (Spencer 49), Kissock (Akpan 46), Wallace, Jutkiewicz, Agard, O’Kane (McCready 46).
Subs not used:  Stubhaug, Codling.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

The Reserves started well and Lukas Jutkiewicz fired into the side-netting after being played in by Dan Gosling. The 19-year-old striker went closest on a number of occasions for Everton. The visitors almost took the lead on 23 minutes but, thankfully for Everton an unmarked Jordan Cook headed over from four yards, while Iain Turner twice saved well from Jordan Henderson. Late on Everton almost grabbed a winner but Kieran Agard was off target from Jutkiewicz’s pass.

 Everton 1 - 1 Manchester United

Everton: Ruddy; Irving, Craig, Wallace (46 Akpan), Barnett; Rodwell, Kissock, Gosling; Agard, Jutkiewicz, O’Kane (35' Spencer).
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Codling, Duffy.  Scorers: Agard (3')
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

From the Blues’ first attack, Jutkiewicz’s flick-on ricocheted back into his path and the striker’s shot was forced over the line by Kieran Agard. Jack Rodwell reverted to centre-half for the clash and was tasked with shackling Angola striker Manucho.  It was to be a busy opening half for the 17-year-old as much of United’s goal threat was carried by the gangly striker.

First, his left foot shot was expertly saved by John Ruddy, then he made a couple of surges through the defence only to be denied by first John Irving, then Ruddy again. Manucho wasn’t done yet though, picking himself up off the floor to fire a free-kick over on the half hour.

For Everton, Eunan O’Kane was forced off with injury 10 minutes before the break, to be replaced by Scott Spencer. The change didn’t affect Everton though, as they soaked up plenty of United possession without allowing them a decent sight of goal.

Danny Drinkwater’s lob and Manucho’s drive both had Ruddy worried at the start of the second half, with the the forward then seeing a far post header deflected wide by Irving with the goal gaping.

So it was no real surprise when Manucho equalised with a header from Magnus Eikrem’s cross in the 55th minute. Everton’s attempts to re-establish their lead saw John Paul Kissock fire over twice, with an angled drive from Spencer also failing to trouble keeper Gary Woods. Both sides tired and subsequently no clear cut chances ensued until Ruddy superbly tipped Drinkwater’s shot round the post in the last minute.

 Everton 0 - 1 Hull City

Everton: Turner; Jacobsen, Craig, Wallace, Irving; Rodwell, Gosling, Akpan; Jutkiewicz, Kissock, Baxter.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, O'Kane, Barnett, Codling, McCready.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Match Report

It was a first start in the royal blue jersey for Lars Jacobson, who has been out since dislocating his shoulder while on international duty in September he came off after 77 minutes.  The clash, which saw third place Toffees take on a Hull side that side that were bottom of the table before kick-off, could easily have been a win for the Toffees - had they have taken their chances.

The Blues started the game poorly and it was Hull that looked the most likely to score as Everton's second string saw themselves very much on the back foot in the opening exchanges. Indeed, that was the case after just eight minutes when Hull were awarded a free kick from around 25 yards out.  Everton failed to clear the original set-piece and when the second cross came into the box, Plummer helped the ball across the line after Iain Turner failed to keep hold of the original header.

The Blues would have struck straight back - had the referee not have ruled a Lukas Jutkiewicz goal out. The chance came after Jose Baxter's tremendous 25 yard run. That was met by an exquisite cross, perfectly weighted onto the head of Jutkiewicz. Lukas climbed well and headed home - however he was adjudged to have fouled the Hull defender. The Toffees did regroup after conceding and the disallowed goal seemed to instill confidence into the side - yet Hull were battling hard to prevent Holden's side from creating any chances.

It looked as though Dan Gosling was going to strike a corker on 25 minutes - the youngster ran directly at goal and wound up a strike from outside the penalty area. However the shot flew wide and failed to trouble Tony Warner in goal. Jutkiewicz almost equalised for the Blues when a long ball came in from the left - and although he wasn't favourite to latch onto it, he managed to strike a thunderbolt onto the post - but failed to capitalise on the rebound. Frustration started to kick in towards to end of the first half and that was illustrated when Jose Baxter was booked for wrestling Andy Dawson to the ground

The Everton second string showed positive intentions at the start of the second half and a left footed strike from 25 yards by Baxter had the keeper scrambling to save. He pulled off a fantastic save to hold maintain Hull's lead.  With just half an hour to go, Baxter again could have - and this time probably should have - levelled for the Blues when he found himself with a free header in the box. He connected sweetly enough, however it was straight at the keeper who had no problem in saving. Hull ended the game with just 10 men after they had used all their allocated substitions and Wayne Brown came off injured. But Everton still failed to find a goal.

 Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Everton

Everton: Turner; Coleman, Irving, McCarten, Barnett (81' Duffy); Baxter, Wallace (37' Krenn), Akpan, O'Kane; Anichebe, Spencer.
Subs not used:  Davies, Kinsella   Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Victor Anichebe played just over an hour for the Blues after missing out on the weekend’s win over Bolton through injury.

Everton’s first chance fell to Jose Baxter, whose third-minute strike was saved, followed by their best chance of the game, when Anichebe took advantage of an awkward bounce in the box, but his effort was cleared off the line.  Seamus Coleman made a solid debut at right-back, playing a full 90 minutes for Andy Holden’s side, contributing to what was a confident display by the Blues’ back four up until the final minute.

After a relatively uneventful second half, an the hosts had barely troubled keeper Iain Turner. But Middlesbrough took advantage of a gap in the visitors’ defence, to allow Cronesberry to fire home from 20 yards at the death. 20-yard drive hit home.

 Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool

Everton: Nash, Coleman, Barnett, Wallace, Irving, McCarten, Powell, Akpan, Spencer, O’Kane, Craig (Agard 72).
Subs not used:  Stubhaug, Duffy, McAleny, Kinsella.  Scorers: Spencer
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Scott Spencer scored a freak opener midway through the first half, but the visitors hit back immediately with the unfortunate Hope Akpan heading in at the wrong end.  With Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling now fighting for first-team places and Lukas Jutkiewicz and John Paul Kissock away on loan, it gave the bulk of Everton’s Under-18s side the chance to impress, alongside lone old-head Carlo Nash.

Three minutes in a neat interchange between Liverpool’s Dani Pacheco and Gerardo Bruna fashioned an opening for Victor Palsson. The right-sided midfielder beat Carlo Nash but James McCarten was well positioned to hack off the line.  Nathan Craig and Jay Spearing then took it in turns to lash speculative volleys off target.

A neat backheel from Spencer allowed Craig to cross from the left, but when the ball eventually fell for James Wallace, Reds keeper Martin Hansen did well to smother. At the other end Dani Pacheco found Andras Simon unmarked in the box soon after but the save for Carlo Nash was simple.

However, as the half-hour mark approached the strangest of goals gave Everton the breakthrough. Receiving the ball from Spencer following an injury stoppage, Martin Hansen contrived to miss-control and allow the ball to trickle across the line. But Everton’s lead was short-lived, Akpan glancing Pacheco’s free-kick into his own net just four minutes later.

Luke Powell, handed a late start following Tom McCready’s withdrawal looked to keen to make the most of the opportunity, providing a constant outlet down the right. But the visitors continued to threaten, Pacheco cutting in onto his right foot early in the second half and fizzing a shot inches wide of the post.

Half-time appeared to have galvanised the hosts and Eunan O’Kane saw a bullet header tipped onto the crossbar by Hansen.  At the back the unfamiliar centre back pairing of McCarten and John Irving proved water-tight, while Seamus Coleman looked solid on his reserves home debut.  Twice Irving went close from Craig set pieces as Everton continued to probe. But the game petered out, both sides tiring, and understandably so, given the nature of the occasion. 

With four minutes remaining Simon produced a fearsome shot on the turn only for Nash to muster a stunning reaction save. It allowed Everton to launch a counter which resulted in the impressive Luke Powell hitting the upright – the woodwork forcing Everton to settle for just a share of the spoils.

 Bolton Wanderers 1 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Turner; Coleman, Wallace, Irving, Barnett; Powell (Duffy 72), Akpan, McCarten, Craig; Spencer, O'Kane.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Kinsella, McAleny, Sinnott.  Scorers: McCarten
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards:

James McCarten missed a penalty in the final moments as Everton reserves had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Bolton. It was a game which the Blues should have secured all three points.

Had McCarten have scored from the spot, it would have doubled his score tally on the night after his stunning 25 yard free-kick on 66 minutes levelled the game for Everton, who went a goal down in the first half. Bolton are equal on points with the Blues, but they didn't appear to be a side equalling the talent of a dominant Everton side.

The game had very much the same pattern throughout, with the Toffees maintaining possession - however in the first half they never really created the chances needed to make the break through.

It was in fact Bolton who took the lead, breaking the deadlock after 23 minutes courtesy of a strike from Temitope Obadeyi. The opener was created thanks to a cross from the left from Zoltan Harsanyi, whose whipped-in ball met the left foot of Obadeyi, who had no problem in hitting the back of the net from 10 yards. Everton had a chance to equalise just before half time, but when one-on-one with goalkeeper Agan Bogdan, Luke Powell was unable to capitalise.

McCarten's goal from a set play wasn't Everton's only opening in a second half riddled with openings, with Scott Spencer, Nathan Craig and Shane Duffy all squandering golden opportunities to secure all three points. The real chance to win came in the 88th minute when a foul on Eunan O'Kane in the box presented the Blues with a penalty. Unfortunately the keeper guessed the right way and pulled off a fine save to ensure Bolton ended the night with a draw.

 Everton 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

Everton:: Turner; Coleman, Barnett, Wallace, Irving; McCarten, O'Kane, Akpan; Agard, Baxter, Kissock.
Subs not used: Davies, Spencer, Craig, Sinnott, Kinsella.   Scorers: Akpan
Yellow Cards: Akpan.  Red Cards: — 

John Paul Kissock impressed in his first Everton reserve team appearance since returning from a loan spell at Accrington Stanley, but the Blues had to settle for a point against Blackburn at the Halton Stadium. Jason Lowe put Rovers in front but Hope Akpan equalised.

Everton fell behind after 17 minutes as they paid the price for failing to clear a corner. However, just eight minutes later Akpan fired past the keeper to level proceedings. After the break Blackburn's Marcus Marshall blazed wide before Roque Santa Cruz skied a chance.

Blues keeper Iain Turner had to be at his best to keep out Jason Lowe's shot and Everton nearly won it late on. Kieran Agard latched onto Eunan O'Kane's cross but failed to hit the target.

 Newcastle United 2 - 1 Everton

Everton: Turner; Irving, Barnett, Wallace, Sinnott; McCarten, O’Kane, Akpan; Agard, Baxter, Kissock.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Spencer, Craig, Kinsella, Duffy  Scorers: Sinott
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

 Everton 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Everton: Nash; Coleman, Barnett, Kinsella, Irving; Sinnott, O’Kane (Codling 72), Forshaw; Agard, Sheppard, Kissock.
Subs not used: Stubhaug, Duffy, Nsiala, McAleny.  Scorers: Agard, Sheppard
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Kieran Agard and debutant Karl Sheppard scored in the first half to make Everton’s final game of the season a winning one. They had Adam Forshaw, Gerard Kinsella and Sheppard making debuts for the second string with only keeper Carlo Nash and right-back Seamus Coleman not teenagers.

Everton took the lead on 18 minutes when, from Forshaw‘s free-kick, Sheppard headed past Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls. Then just before the break Agard’s shot deflected off a defender and looped over Nicholls, which was enough to give Everton the three points.

 Sunderland 0 - 0 Everton

Everton: Nash; Irving (88 Nsiala), Barnett, Wallace, Duffy; Sinnott, Kissock (88 Craig), Akpan; Vaughan (68 Forshaw), Agard, Baxter.
Subs not used:   Stubhaug, Kinsella   Scorers: None
Yellow Cards:  Walace, Akpan, Baxter  Red Cards: — 

Everton denied Sunderland the three points that would have given them the Northern Section title. James Vaughan gave a typically busy display, before being replaced by Adam Forshaw.  Everton had chances through Kieran Agard and John Paul Kissock, while at the other end Carlo Nash made a few decent stops.

 Manchester United 2 - 0 Everton

Everton: Stubhaug (Jensen 40); Barnett, Bidwell, Nsiala, Wallace; Duffy, Kissock, Akpan; Vaughan, Agard, Baxter.
Subs not used: Forshaw, Craig, Kinsella, Sheppard.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

James Vaughan played his first full 90 minutes since recovering from injury , but the Everton striker couldn’t prevent the reserves from falling to a 2-0  defeat against Manchester United.  The striker may have played his way into David Moyes’s plans ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with United’s first team at Wembley.

Everton were behind early on as goals from Daniel Drinkwater on eight minutes and Ritchie De Laet nine minutes later meant Andy Holden’s side were up against it.  They also saw Norwegian keeper Lars Stubhaug stretchered off after a collision with Oliver Gill five minutes before the break.

But in the second half the lively Vaughan certainly gave Everton plenty to cheer. He had three decent chances. The first was blocked, before he lobbed just over and was then denied by United keeper Ben Amos.

 Manchester City 3 - 1 Everton

Everton: Nash, Nsiala, Barnett, Wallace (Craig 91), McCarten, Rodwell (Forshaw 46), Gosling, Akpan, Agard, Kissock, Baxter.
Subs not used: Jensen, Sheppard, Codling. Scorers: McDonald (og)
Yellow Cards: —  Red Cards: — 

Everton took the lead on the hour when Jose Baxter’s cross was turned into his own net by Clayton McDonald. However, Everton held onto the advantage for just eight minutes as Joe Hart’s goal-kick found Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov, who struck past Carlo Nash from 30 yards. Bojinov made it 2-1 two minutes later after a neat inter-change before Martin Petrov lashed a stunning volley past Nash on 76 minutes.

Everton finished the season in 7th place.

 LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP, 2008-09

 Burscough 4 - 1 Everton

Everton: Stubhaug, Powell (Duffy 46), McCarten, Barnett, Nsiala, McCready, Kinsella, Akpan, Craig, Codling, Wallace.
Subs not used: N/A. Scorers:  Codling
Yellow Cards: Name  Red Cards: —  Ref: Ref   Att: #

Lewis Codling did pull a goal back for the Blues in the 59th minute, but another goal just four minutes later ended all hopes of an unlikely comeback.  Mike Grogan headed past keeper Lars Stubhaug after 10 minutes and Jonathon Goulding slammed in from 20 yards just six minutes later. Burscough added a third in the 29th minute through Craig Davies.

Everton’s best moment came in the 59th minute. Thomas McCready went on a surging run down the right and then crossed into the six yard box, where Codling arrived to slide the ball home. Any comeback hopes were ended when Davies made it four just a couple of minutes later.

 RESERVES – APPEARANCES, 2008-09

  Regulars from last season (2007-08) who appear to have moved on include:

• Darren Dennehy
• Stephen Connor
• Aiden Downes
• Ryan Harpur
• Patrick Boyle
• Stephen Morrision
• Shaun Densmore
• Jamie Jones

 FRIENDLIES, 2008-09