EVERTON U18s, 2008-09

 
Manager: Neil Dewsnip

[ Under-18s, 2009-10 ] »

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 FA PREMIER YOUTH ACADEMY U-18 LEAGUE

 FIXTURES AND RESULTS, 2008-09

Date   Ven Opponents               Result  Pos  Scorers                   
Link to Official Site

August 2008

Sat 23 (a) Arsenal                  L 1-3 10th  Sinnott
Sat 30 (h) Milton Keynes Dons       W 4-0  3rd  Krenn, McCready, Akpan, Sheppard

September

Sat  6 (a) Derby County             W 6-0  2nd  Mcardle, Codling, Akpan, Krenn, Sheppard, McAleny
Sat 13 (h) Barnsley                 W 4-0  2nd  Krenn, Codling, McAleny (2)
Sat 20 (h) Sunderland               D 1-1  2nd  McCarten
Fri 26 (a) Manchester City          L 0-1  3rd  —

October

Sat  4 (h) Blackburn Rovers         D 1-1  3rd  Krenn (pen)
Sat 11 (a) Stoke City               D 1-1  3rd  Bidwell
Sat 18 (h) West Bromwich Albion     D 1-1  4th  Codling

November

Sat  1 (a) Crewe Alexander          D 1-1  4th  Redmond
Sat  8 (h) Manchester United        D 1-1  4th  Sinnott 
Sat 15 (a) Liverpool                L 0-2  5th  —
Sat 22 (h) Bolton Wanderers         W 1-0  4th  Codling

December 2008

Fri  5 (a) Wolverhampton Wanderers  D 1-1  4th  McCready (pen)

January 2009

Sat 17 (h) Crewe Alexander          L 0-3  5th  —
Fri 26 (a) Manchester United        L 2-3  6th  Craig, Powell
Sat 31 (h) Liverpool                W 3-2  5th  McCready, McCarten, Duffy

February

Sat 14 (h) Wolverhampton Wanderers  W 2-1  5th  Powell, McCarten
Sat 21 (h) Manchester City          L 1-3  6th  Craig
Sat 28 (a) West Bromwich Albion     L 1-4  7th  Sheppard 

March

Sat  7 (a) Blackburn Rovers         W 3-1  7th  Forshaw, Powell, McAleny
Sat 14 (h) Stoke City               D 1-1  7th  Sheppard 
Sat 21 (a) Newcastle United         W 3-2  6th  Forshaw, Codling, Kinsella
Sat 28 (a) Leeds United             W 1-0  5th  McAleny

April

Sat  5 (a) Bolton Wanderers         W 3-0  3rd  Codling (2), Powell 
Sat 12 (h) Nottingham Forest        L 0-2  4th  —
Sat 19 (a) Middlesbrough            W 5-2  3rd  Forshaw, Codling (2), Sheppard, Hope

May 2009

Sat  2 (h) Sheffield Wednesday      L 1-2  4th  Hope

 2008 Friendlies and Other U-18 Team Matches

Day  Date  Ven Opponents       Res    Scorers                              

Sorry, no information

 FA PREMIER YOUTH ACADEMY LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

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

 FA PREMIER YOUTH ACADEMY LEAGUE U-18 (NW Section) GROUP TABLE, 2008-09

  UNDER-18 YOUTH ACADEMY LEAGUE — Match Details

 Arsenal 3 - 1 Everton

Everton: Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, McCarten, Barnett; Redmond (70 Craig), McCready, Akpan; Kinsella (45 Sheppard), O'Kane, Codling.
Subs not used:  N/A. Scorers: Sinnott.

The Blues were missing several players through injury, while the likes of Jose Baxter and James Wallace are currently with the first team squad.  Arsenal were the better side in the early stages and took the lead after 20 minutes.  They continued to dominate proceedings and doubled the lead from a corner just before half time.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first - though Everton's passion and commitment certainly wasn't in question. But the Gunners made it 3-0 half way through the second period. Cory Sinnott's goal following a set-piece gave the travelling side a brief glimmer, but Arsenal didn't waver.

 Everton 4 - 0 Milton Keynes Donss

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; McCready, Akpan, Krenn, Redmond; Codling, Sheppard.
Subs not used:  Davies, Forshaw, Craig. Scorers: Krenn, McCready, Akpan, Sheppard.

EVERTON under-18s bounced back from their opening-day defeat to Arsenal beating MK Dons 4-0 at Finch Farm on Saturday. Everton led as midfielder George Krenn scored from close range after Lewis Codling’s shot has been saved. Just after the restart Tom McCready made it 2-0 prodding in after a scramble in the visitors’ area.

Hope Akpan added a third from the penalty spot after Codling had been brought down. Karl Sheppard completed the comfortable victory, firing in from McCready’s free-kick.

 Derby County 0 - 6 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; McArdle, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; Krenn (Craig 80), McCready, Akpan, Redmond; Codling (Forshaw 70), Sheppard (McAleny 70).
Subs not used: Davies.  Scorers: McArdle, Codling, Akpan, Krenn, Sheppard, McAleny.

After 20 minutes of tightly contested football, it was Lee McArdle who opened the scoring when he headed home from a Tom McCready corner kick.

The opening goal appeared to instill confidence into Neil Dewsnip's side and goals from Lewis Codling and Hope Akpan meant that victory was sewn up by half-time.

The story of the second half was very similar to that of the first. Derby re-grouped at half-time and once again for 20 minutes made a game of it, however when Georg Krenn hit home a Daniel Redmond cross, the floodgates opened and goals from Karl Sheppard and Conor McAleny completed a six goal rout.

 Everton 4 - 0 Barnsley

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; Krenn, McCready, Akpan (Kinsella 45), Redmond; Codling (McAleny 60), Sheppard (Craig 75).
Subs not used: Davies, Duffy.  Scorers: Krenn, Codling  McAleny (2).

Despite a bright start from the visitors it was Everton who opened the scoring when Austrian midfielder Krenn ran past a couple of defenders and smashed home after 25 minutes. Just before the break Everton made it 2-0 when Codling looped a header home from Jake Bidwell’s cross.

Despite playing the last 20 minutes or so with just 10 men, Everton scored twice. McAleny, who had replaced Codling on the hour, scored a superb individual goal. Then he had a simpler finish when slotting home after Tom McCready’s shot had been parried straight to him in the last few minutes.

The only downside was the sending off of substitute Gerard Kinsella for a bad challenge with 20 minutes left. Kinsella will be banned following his sending-off.

 Everton 1 - 1 Sunderland

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; O’Kane (Krenn 45), McCready, Akpan, Redmond; Codling, Sheppard (McAleny 70).
Subs not used: Roberts, Craig, Kinsella.  Scorers: McCarten.

Everton created several chances, but on this occasion couldn’t take them with the visitors’ keeper, particularly after the break, in excellent form to deny them.

The visitors dominated the first half without really threatening the Everton goal too much. One effort was blocked superbly by full-back Jake Bidwell. But after the break, with the introduction of Austrian midfielder George Krenn, Everton took control.

Lewis Codling saw two efforts superbly saved by the Sunderland keeper, and Karl Sheppard was also denied. But Everton eventually broke the deadlock after 60 minutes. Danny Redmond’s corner was flicked on by Sheppard and James McCarten tucked it home at the far post.

Sunderland grabbed an equaliser with 15 minutes left with a free-kick from the edge of the area. Late on Bidwell saw a fierce drive superbly saved by the visitors keeper, while at the other end Sunderland hit the post from another free-kick.

 Manchester City 1 - 0 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; Redmond, McCready, Akpan, Krenn (Kinsella 50); Codling (Craig 60), Sheppard (McAleny 55).
Subs not used: Roberts, Duffy.  Scorers: None.

EVERTON Under-18s went down to only their second defeat of the season as they lost 1-0 at Manchester City on Friday. It was a close match in the FA Premier Academy League but Neil Dewsnip’s side just couldn’t get the better of last year’s north west section winners. Everton remain fourth in the table behind five points behind leaders Liverpool with both Manchester sides above them as well.

In a typically keenly-contested match City took the lead in the 35th minute when Everton were on the attack and the home side broke quickly to catch out the visitors’ centre-backs to go through and round Lars Stubhaug to score. Everton tried to find an equaliser, but had very few chances. City, though, also found opportunities hard to come by.

The best effort for Everton was when Austrian midfielder Georg Krenn saw a superb half-volley go just over the bar, while City hit the post late on. Everton tried to find an equaliser City held firm to claim all three points.

Lee McArdle and Luke Powell are closer to a return to full fitness and other than those two Everton have a full squad to choose from with Shane Duffy also recovered from injury.

 Everton 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; McCready, Akpan, Krenn, Craig; Codling, Sheppard (Powell 65).
Subs not used:  McAleny, Roberts, Forshaw.  Scorers: Krenn (pen).

EVERTON made the perfect start to lead on 15 minutes when Austrian midfielder Georg Krenn scored from the penalty spot after Karl Sheppard had been brought down. The visitors hit back 20 minutes after Everton’s opener when Everton failed to defend properly from a corner.

Blackburn were on top for the rest of the half, but after the break Everton came back into it. But they couldn’t fashion a winner, with Nathan Craig’s free-kick going narrowly wide late on, the closest they came to claiming all three points.

Danny Redmond was injured in the warm-up before last Saturday’s match and he is struggling to be fit with a twisted ankle.

 Stoke City 1 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Roberts; Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; McCready, Akpan, Barkley, Forshaw (Craig 65); Codling (Powell 80), Sheppard (McAleny 70).
Subs not used: Davies, McArdle.  Scorers: Bidwell.

Everton dominated much of the first half, but a spirited display by the home side made it hard for them to break through. But Jake Bidwell got the goal Everton deserved 10 minutes after the break when he headed home Tom McCready’s corner.

Everton had chances to increase their lead but Conor McAleny and Lewis Codling fired off target form good positions. They also could have had a penalty when Codling appeared to be fouled, but the referee waved away their appeals. They were made to pay for not increasing the lead as Stoke scored following a corner.

 Everton 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion

Everton:  Stubhaug; McArdle, Duffy, Craig, Sinnott; Redmond, Akpan, Barkley, McCready; Codling, Powell (McAleny 60).
Subs not used: Davies, Nsiala, Sheppard.  Scorers: Codling.

Everton led just before the break as Lewis Codling fired home after being set-up by 14-year-old England youth international Ross Barkley. Codling could easily have had a hat-trick but couldn’t convert his chances.

Lee McArdle cleared off the line, but the visitors grabbed an equaliser through a header following a cross from the right. Late on Codling fired over and Everton has to settle for a point.

 Crewe Alexander 1 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; McArdle (Nsiala 25), Duffy, Craig (Barnett 45), Sinnott; Redmond, Akpan, McCready, Krenn; Codling, Powell (McAleny 70).
Subs not used: Sheppard, Roberts.  Scorers: Redmond.

Danny Redmond opened the scoring after two minutes, firing in from Austrian midfielder George Krenn’s cross. But Crewe equalised on 10 minutes when defender Shane Duffy failed to get in a clean challenge and the striker broke into the box to score.

Everton tried to regain their lead but missed a number of chances in the first half with Lewis Codling came closest to giving Everton a second goal but saw his shot come back off the crossbar in the second half.

Lee McArdle picked up a knee injury and came off after 25 minutes of Saturday’s match, while Nathan Craig was also replaced with a rib problem. Both will be assessed this week to see if they can play against City.

Ross Barkley will be available again after impressing for England under-16s in their 1-0 Victory Shield win over Wales in Llanelli on Friday night.

 Everton 1 - 1 Manchester United

Everton: Stubhaug; Barnett, Sinnott, McCarten; Nsiala; McCready, Akpan (85 Kinsella ), Redmond, Krenn (Powell 70); Wallace (Sheppard 80), Codling.
Subs not used: McAleny, Duffy.  Scorers: Sinnott

The Blues started sluggishly and fell behind after 10 minutes, but the goal fired them into action. They equalised midway through the first half when central defender Cory Sinnott nodded home Tom McCready’s corner.

The Blues grabbed the initiative but they couldn’t make their dominance count. Lewis Codling failed to take the opportunities which came his way, while Danny Redmond was denied by a great save from the keeper.

 Liverpool 2 - 0 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; Barnett, McArdle, McCarten; Nsiala; McCready, Akpan, Redmond, Krenn; McAleny (Sheppard 45), Codling (Powell 80).
Subs not used: Fitzgibbon.  Scorers: None.

The young Blues started slowly, never really getting into the game and Liverpool’s first came early on after a defensive mix-up for Everton. It was the Toffees that were on the attack but a long clearance from the Reds saw the Everton defence lacking concentration and Liverpool capitalised. The second came not long after – again after a defensive error. Everton had three chances to clear the ball but they didn’t.

At 2-0 down, Everton started to play better football and had one or two chances from free kicks. Lee McArdle and Tom McCready went close, but it never looked like the Blues were capable of overcoming the 2-0 deficit.  The second half didn’t consist of any real chances and lacked any real quality – but it did have the passion expected of a Merseyside derby.

Childwall-born midfielder Hope Akpan is the latest Academy player to have signed professional forms with 17-year-old following in the footsteps of James McCarten, Nathan Craig and Lewis Codling.

 Everton 1 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

Everton:  Stubhaug; Barkley, Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett; McCready, Powell; Akpan, Kinsella, Baxter, Codling.
Subs not used: N/A.  Scorers: Codling.

The young Blues had gone eight games without a win, but finally ended their barren run in Premier Academy League Group C, thanks to a solitary strike from forward Lewis Codling.

It was Baxter’s first appearance of the season for the under-18s and the 16-year-old, from Bootle, is on the comeback trail after injury.  He was partnered up front by Codling, who recently signed his first professional contract.  The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes into the second half when Codling fired past the keeper from the edge of the box. The Blues went close to extending their lead as both Conor McAleny and Tom McCready struck the woodwork.

 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; McArdle, Nsiala, McCarten, Barnett; Craig, Kinsella (Akpan), Wallace, McCready; Powell (Barkley), Codling (Duffy).
Subs not used: NA.  Scorers: McCready (pen).

The Toffees totally dominated the game in the West Midlands but were unable to make their supremacy pay. It required a second-half spotkick from Tom McCready to ensure the young Blues took a point from a game they perhaps should have won.

A bright start saw Everton create several decent chances — but it was Wolves who opened the scoring on the half hour following a rare breakaway move. The Blues had no complaints when a clumsy tackle in the box saw a penalty awarded, the home side comfortably tucking it away.

It was more of the same in the second period but the youngsters were still unable to restore parity. In the end it took an intervention from substitute Hope Akpan to provide his side with a glorious chance to equalise. Akpan's run in the box was illegally impeded and McCready made no mistake with the resultant penalty with just 12 minutes left.

 Everton 0 - 3 Crewe Alexander

Everton:  Davies; Duffy, Barnett, Nsiala, Bidwell; Kinsella, Barkley (Forshaw 70), O’Kane, Craig; Powell (McAleny 70), Codling (Sheppard 70). Subs: ..
Subs not used: Stubhaug.  Scorers: None.

Lewis Codling’s accidental collision with the Crewe goalkeeper, saw the young shot-stopper having to be taken off. With no substitute keeper on the bench, the Railwaymen had to use an outfield player in goal. But it seemed to galvanise Crewe and on 35 minutes they took the lead with the aid of some poor defending.

Codling – with a header just over and a shot – and Luke Powell both went close to an equaliser, but failed to take their chances. Then as the half drew to a close Crewe broke away to double their lead. Everton tried to get back into the game after the break, but Crewe again profited from some slack defending to add a third.

 Manchester United 3 - 2 Everton

Everton:  Davies; Duffy, McCarten, Barnett, Bidwell; McCready, Wallace, Akpan; Craig, Baxter (Powell), Codling .
Subs not used: NA.  Scorers: Craig, Powell

Ravel Morrison opened the scoring in the first half.  Goalkeeper Adam Davies made a number of excellent saves and helped ensure we were only 1-0 down at the break. Nicky Ajose added a second six minutes into the second half. However, the Blues reduced the deficit when Craig converted from close range after Lewis Codling’s effort was parried.

An error from United keeper Conor Devlin allowed substitute Luke Powell to pull Everton level but there was a cruel late twist. A long throw-in was only half cleared and Morrison smashed home the winner.

 Everton 3 - 2 Liverpool

Everton:  Davies; McArdle, Barnett, McCarten, Duffy; Baxter, McCready, Wallace; Codling, Powell (McAleny 80), Craig.
Subs not used: Sheppard, Forshaw, Kinsella, Nsiala.  Scorers:  McCready, McCarten, Duffy

Tom McCready’s superb 20-yard free-kick gave Everton the lead after 15 minutes. But almost straight from the kick-off Liverpool levelled through Lauri Dalla Valle after some poor Everton defending from a cross.

The visitors took the lead just after the hour-hour mark when Dalla Valle punished some slack defending. But Everton levelled just before half-time when James McCarten headed home.

Then 10 minutes after the break Shane Duffy headed home what proved to be the winner following Nathan Craig’s corner. Liverpool tried hard for another equaliser, but in the end Everton held firm for victory with a some stout defending.

 Everton 2 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Everton:  Davies; Nsiala (Barkley 60), Barnett, McCarten, Duffy; Forshaw, McCready, Kinsella, Bidwell; Powell (Codling 85), McAleny (Krenn 88).
Subs not used: Stubhaug.  Scorers: Powell, McCarten.

Everton didn’t start too well and had goalkeeper Adam Davies to thank for keeping them level. They fell behind following a Wolves free-kick five minutes before the break. But as half-time approached Everton equalised. Luke Powell fired in after a neat turn.

Everton grew in confidence and had plenty of chances to take the lead with Conor McAleny hitting the bar. James McCarten hit the winner from close-range from a Shane Duffy nod-down on 70 minutes.

Nathan Craig is still out with a back problem. Lee McArdle was missing with a knee injury, and James Wallace was also out after picking up a knock in the reserves. 

 Everton 1 - 3 Manchester City

Everton:  Davies; Barkley, Duffy, Nsiala, Bidwell; Craig (Krenn 80), Kinsella, Forshaw; Powell (Sheppard 65), Codling, McAleny.
Subs not used: NA.  Scorers: Craig

City almost went ahead after five minutes but Everton goalkeeper Adam Davies superbly saved a penalty. Five minutes later the visitors did score and on 20 minutes City doubled their advantage. Everton continued to battle to get back in the match and on the half-hour reduced the arrears with a great free-kick by midfielder Nathan Craig.

Everton pressed for an equaliser, but couldn’t get it. Then with 15 minutes left City sealed the points with a headed third goal.

 West Bromwich Albion 4 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, Barnett, Bidwell; Barkley, Kinsella, Forshaw; Sheppard, Codling, McAleny (Krenn 80).
Subs not used:: NA.  Scorers: Sheppard.

Everton Under-18s have had to perform without several established players due to reserve team fixtures in recent weeks. The second string has a match against Columbus Crew on Sunday, meaning Everton had only 13 players in their squad.

Some costly errors saw Everton 2-0 down in the first 20 minutes. Keeper Lars Stubhaug misjudged a bouncing ball outside his area as he tried to head clear for the first and then defender Jake Bidwell was caught in possession on the halfway line to let the Albion striker to run through and add a second. Everton pulled a goal back before half-time when Karl Sheppard headed in from Jake Bidwell’s cross.

 Blackburn Rovers 1 - 3 Everton

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, Duffy, Bidwell; Craig, Kinsella, Forshaw; McCready; Powell (Codling 65), Sheppard (McAleny 65).
Subs not used: Davies, Nolan, Krenn.  Scorers: Forshaw, Powell, McAleny

Everton took the lead after just three minutes when the home keeper miskicked a clearance straight to 17-year-old midfiedler Adam Forshaw, whose first time effort sailed into the net. Blackburn were back on level terms after 25 minutes as they cashed in on a defensive mix up between keeper Lars Stubhaug and defender Shane Duffy.

In the second half, Everton stepped up a gear and Karl Sheppard was denied by a superb save. Duffy and Cory Sinnott also went close before the Blues finally restored their lead on the hour.  Striker Luke Powell burst past a Rovers defender and slid a shot past the keeper.

Powell almost doubled his tally soon after with a fierce 25-yarder which struck the bar. Blackburn pressed for a second equaliser but the Blues held firm and then counter attacked with substitute Conor  McAleny wrapped up the points late on.

 Everton 1 - 1 Stoke City

Everton:  Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, Duffy, Bidwell; Craig, Kinsella, Barkley, Forshaw; Codling, Sheppard (McAleny 80).
Subs not used: Davies, Nolan, Krenn.   Scorers: Sheppard

Defender Lee McArdle was ruled out with a knee problem.  They eventually made the breakthrough on the half-hour mark when Adam Forshaw’s cross was powerfully headed home by Karl Sheppard.

Lewis Codling, Nathan Craig and Sheppard all had chances to extend the Blues’ advantage but they couldn’t make them count and Stoke equalised just before half-time.

 Newcastle United 2 - 3 Evertonn

Everton:  Davies; Barkley, Nsiala, Duffy, Bidwell; Craig, Kinsella, Forshaw, Akpan; Codling (McAleny 85), Sheppard (Powell 70).
Subs not used: Nolan.  Scorers: Forshaw, Codling, Kinsella.

A FINE performance by Everton under-18s saw them secure all three points as they won 3-2 at Newcastle on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side are in a rich vein of form in the FA Premier Academy League having registered two wins and a draw from their last three matches.

Everton took the lead on 22 minutes through an excellent run and shot across the keeper by Adam Forshaw. But five minutes later Newcastle were level following a Nile Ranger free-kick which deflected off the wall straight to Michael McCrudden, who fired home.

Newcastle hit the bar through Ranger before the break, but Everton went ahead again two minutes after the restart when Lewis Codling was brought down in the box. The striker got up to convert the spot-kick himself. Soon after, the visitors increased their advantage with a superb 25-yard effort from Gerard Kinsella. But just as it looked they would run riot, Shane Duffy gave away a penalty to allow Newcastle to reduce the arrears. Despite goalkeeper Adam Davies saving Ranger’s initial effort the Newcastle striker followed up to score from the rebound.

Both sides contined to attack with Codling going close for Everton, but in the end 3-2 was enough.

 Leeds United 0 - 1 Everton

Everton:  Davies; Barrow (Cummins 80), Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; McAleny, McCready, Kinsella, Powell (Donaghan 75); Codling, Sheppard.
Subs not used: NA.  Scorers: McAleny

Despite a young line-up featuring several schoolboys players with Jordan Barrow, Tom Donaghan and Adam Cummins making their debuts, Everton were good value for their win. The winning goal came on 25 minutes as Connor McAleny tapped home from close range following a quick free-kick by Tom McCready and a good cross from Karl Sheppard.

Everton could have scored more with Lewis Codling, in particular, unable to take the chances that came his way. While Sheppard also went close, they had five schoolboys playing – Ross Barkley, Jake Bidwell, Jordan Barrow, Adam Cummins and Tom Donaghan – with the last two coming on as subs and playing for the first time. They acquitted themselves well and we were worthy winners in the end.

Lee McArdle is still out with a knee injury and is likely to out for the rest of the season.

 Bolton Wanderers 0 - 3 Everton

Everton:   Stubhaug; Barrow, Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; Shepphard (Orenuga 80), Craig, Kinsella, McAleny; Powell (Donaghan 60), Codling,
Subs not used: Jensen, Cummins, Dobie. Scorers: Codling (2; 1 pen), Powell.

A foul on Luke Powell in the penalty box after ten minutes allowed Codling to calmly open the scoring from the penalty spot, while an excellent solo effort from Powell saw the youngster charge from the half way line to roll the ball under Bolton's keeper to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Ross Barkley nearly added a third shortly before half time after connecting with Jordan Barrow's corner, but his shot rattled the crossbar.

Maintaining their 2-0 lead into the second half, Everton took control of procedures for the remainder of the tie with Gerard Kinsella finding the feet of Codling and allowing the striker to convert and record his second goal of the game.

The match saw schoolboys Jordan Barrow and Tom Donaghan make their second appearances for the Under-18s, which also saw new-signing Femi Orenuga make a substitute appearance in the closing minutes.

Lee McArdle is still out with a knee injury and is Everton’s only injury worry.

 Everton 0 - 2 Nottingham Forest

Everton:  Jensen; Barrow, Duffy, Nsiala, Barnett; Craig, McAleny (Powell 70), Barkley, Forshaw; Sheppard (Nolan 70), Codling.
Subs not used: Krenn, Roberts, Bidwell.  Scorers: None.

Everton had numerous chances in the first half but failed to take them. a combination of a wonderful goalkeeping display from Forest‘s Karl Darlow and sloppy finishing cost them. With six minutes left Forest took the lead through an unfortunate own goal by Aristote Nsiala.  Then as they looked to bounce back the visitors doubled their advantage with a deflected shot, unfortunately again off Nsiala, in injury time.

Everton have just two more matches left of the season. They travel to Middlesbrough for their final away match of the season this Saturday (kick-off 11am), before the ending the campaign at Finch Farm a week later against Sheffield Wednesday.

Youngsters Ross Barkley and Jake Bidwell tasted success with England Under-16s in the Montaigu Tournament in France over Easter. The two youngsters played key roles as Birkenhead-born Kenny Swain’s side won the prestigious youth tournament for a second successive year.

Bidwell scored in a 3-1 victory over Russia and was also on target from the spot in a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast. Barkley found the net for England’s second in their 3-0 win over the United Arab Emirates. Then both players were part of the side who played out a goalless draw in the final against Germany, triumphed 2-1 on penalties as England retained the trophy.

 Middlesbrough 2 - 5 Everton

Everton:  Jensen; Barrow, Barkley, Duffy, Bidwell; McAleny, Sheppard, Forshaw, Craig; Hope, Codling.
Subs not used: Krenn, Nolan.  Scorers: Forshaw, Codling (2), Sheppard, Hope

Everton opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes when midfielder Adam Forshaw fired in from 20 yards.  Striker Lewis Codling doubled the lead with the first of his two goals soon after, following up after the Boro keeper spilled a shot to put Everton 2-0 ahead.  But just before the break Middlesbrough pulled a goal back right on half-time.

Almost from the restart, though, Everton restored their two-goal lead when Karl Sheppard scored after the ball bounced back to him off the crossbar. Middlesbrough pulled it back to 3-2 but Codling scored again when he pounced on a poor clearance to tap in. Then Hallum Hope, on his U-18s debut, completed a fine victory in final minutes with his first goal.

 Everton 1 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday

Everton:  Roberts; Barrow, Duffy, Nsiala, Bidwell; Craig, Forshaw, Barkley (70 Krenn); Sheppard, Codling, Hope.
Subs not used: N/A.  Scorers: Hope.

Everton Under-18s suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat in their final league game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday. The young Blues went ahead after 15 minutes thanks to a smashing individual effort from Hallum Hope, who recorded his second goal in as many appearances However, the Blues' advantage didn't last long as the visitors equalised seconds later.

Everton battled hard to regain the advantage, but an accurate pass from Wednesday on the half hour soared over the Everton back four, and triggered the keeper to come off his line. The pass connected quickly with the visitor’s centre-forward who chipped the ball over and into the back of the net.

The Blues' upped their work ethic throughout the second period, and didn't fall short of chances to draw level and take a share of the points.

Young striker Lewis Codling and goal scorer Hope both had excellent opportunities denied, and on the brink of full-time defender Aristote Nsiala fired his header straight into the arms of Wednesday's keeper.

 YOUTH ACADEMY U-18s – APPEARANCES, 2008-09

  
Thanks to the Liverpool Echo & Daily Post for publishing regular team line-ups for Everton's Under-18s. 
 

 

Players from last season: James McCarten, Moses Barnett, Lewis Codling, Cory Sinott, Eunan O'Kane, Jose Baxter, Danny Redmond, Michael Stewart, Tom McCready, Michael McEntagart, Hope Akpan, Kieran Agard, George Krenn, Jack Rodwell, Lee McArdle, Lars Stubhaug, Luke Powell, Karl Sheppard, Lee Molyneux, Ged Kinsella, Scott Spencer, James Wallace, Conor McAleny, Josh Brizell. [Strikethrough indicates players that had left by the start of the 2009-10 season]

Players Leaving During the Season:

 YOUTH ACADEMY U-18s FRIENDLIES, 2009-10

 Everton v ______

Everton:  N/A.
Subs not used: N/A.  Scorers: Names

No Information

Match Reports: EvertonFC.com  icLiverpool.com