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U-18s edge Bootle in penalty drama

Michael Kenrick , 3 May, 13comments  |  Jump to most recent
Bootle 1 - 1 Everton U-18s [AET, 5-6 on pens]
With Everton Reserves having travelled to London yesterday to complete their Reserves League season, tonight's rearranged semi-final in the Liverpool Senior Cup was be contested at Bootle by Everton's Under-18s. Bootle haven't won the trophy since 1889, in the days when they comprised Everton's original local derby competition, before the Reds were spawned.

The first chance of the game fell to Bootle but the shot was into the side-netting. Then, Forrester's shot was met with an excellent save, and Hallam Hope put one over the bar.

A nice one-two between Jones and Hope, Jones shoots and the keeper makes a top save. Hope then spurned another chance and it was Bootle's turn to threaten, before they scored the first goal of the game, Miley putting Bootle ahead following a goal-mouth scramble on 38 mins.

At the start of the second half, Bootle went close again through Kilroy. On 53 minutes, Kevin Sheedy decided to switch out Femi Orenuga and bring on the young star in the making, George Green. And the substitution works wonders, with Green getting forward with fantastic pace to set up Hallam Hope for the equaliser.

Going into the final stages, Everton looked far more dangerous, with Green always looking good on the ball. Anton Forrester rounded the keeper with an open goal beckoning but put his shot over the bar!!! Forrester was then subbed off for Chris Long, with extra time looming. A final free-kick for Everton in 5 mins of added time but nothing came of it.

Green almost scored after skinning the Bootle right back, then Higgins went close. At the other end, Taudal's hands were stinging from O'Connor's drive, and the Blues survived a goalmouth scramble on half-time.

With just 10 mins of extra time left, Kevin Sheedy made his final change, Gethin Jones off for George Waring, who scored the winner at Fulham last season to secure the National U-18s title. But Everton could not find the wining goal and it went to penalties, scored in succession by Molyneux, Grant, Hope, Waring, Green, and finally Pennington, whose strike went unanswered as Wilkinson missed for the home side, and Everton go through 6-5 on penalties.

The winners will take on Tranmere at Prenton Park. Everton U-18s: Taudal; Higgins, Johns, Pennington, Hammar; Molyneux, Orenuga (53' Green), Jones (110' Waring); Hope, Forrester (85' Long), Grant. [Thanks to tweets from Barry McHale (@B_Mac1878), Ray Aitken (@AitkenRay) and updates on GrandOldTeam from Alan Ball]

Quotes or other material sourced from Grand Old Team

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