Young Blues through to Dallas Cup final

On Thursday, the Everton North Texas Supporter's club hosted a Meet and Greet with the Everton staff. Kevin Sheedy, Phil Jevons, Kevin O'Brien and Rob Urbani were in attendance. A great night was had by all. The lads were absolutely brilliant and for people like myself who witnessed the great times in the mid-80s, getting to share some precious memories with Kevin Sheedy was priceless.

Everybody was absolutely first class and just underlines 'The Peoples Club' title. They were just like us fans and we talked about Everton FC all night. It was great to have a good mate of ours who is a Man Utd fan with us.

Sheeds revelled in the 5-0 drubbing of United in which he scored the first 2. YouTube is a wonderful thing and we relived the highlights. Sammy Ward, you took it well, my friend. Sammy did remind us of the 1985 FA Cup Final on more than one occasion. Thanks to Rob Urbani for some amazing photos.

On to the last night's Semi-Final. After a cagey first 15 minutes, Everton took control with 2 quickfire goals, Delial Brewster making the first and scoring the second. 2-0 up at half-time, we all thought it was game over. Deja vu anybody?

Another bonus was bumping into Mark Pembridge at half-time. Pembridge is currently coaching the Fulham U-18 side who have reached Sunday's final. Great to hear that he is taking his boy to the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley as they still love Everton.

On to the second half and Everton seemed to invite a little pressure but had chances on the break to score the third and surely decisive goal. On 75 minutes, FC Dallas got one back and we feared the worst. This setback seemed to inspire the lads and they rolled up their sleeves and got a late third goal from my Man of the Match, Nathan Broadhead.

It would be unfair to single out any individual as it was a great team performance but two to look out for would be the obvious Nathan Broadhead and Delial Brewster. Strikers win matches and it would be brilliant for EFC to produce a few of our own to save the club fortunes.

Looking forward to Sunday's Final and hoping the lads take the silverware back home. Both staff and players richly deserve it. COYB.

I'm looking forward to your report on the final. It's remarkable that Mark Pembridge is taking his son to the semi-final, he wasn't here all that long, so maybe "Once Everton has touched you, nothing is ever the same" has a ring of truth about it.

Pembridge mentioned that Kevin O'Brien (goalkeeper coach) was at Everton when he was there. We are one big happy family. I have seen this staff over here twice now. They've never won the Dallas Cup.

Speaking to Sheeds on Thursday, this would equal anything he's ever achieved in the game. Those who watched him play know that he was a genius. BTW, I don't know our right winger's name (15). Imagine Aaron Lennon's workrate times 10. The lad was class for 90 minutes.

Also, we have a goalkeeper thank to Kevin O'Brein's coaching who is a Joe Hart lookalike but with safer hands. I shall report after the final tomorrow night.