Season › 2017-18 › News Everton collapse in U23s mini-derby Monday, 16 April, 2018 18comments | Jump to most recent Everton U23 1 - 3 Liverpool U23 Everton Under-23s took on Liverpool in Southport but saw a really strong start evaporate following a dubious penalty award favouring the visitors in the first half. David Unsworth's side played their final home match of the season in Premier League 2 at the Merseyrail Community Stadium and started the game well when Josh Bowler struck the post and Frasier Hornby forced a save from the keeper with a firm header. The visitors scored two quick goals against the run of play midway through the first period, however. First when the referee awarded a frustratingly soft penalty against Hornby and Dominick Solanke converted from spot. Shortly afterwards, Camacho was allowed to get down the right flank to the byline and cross where Blues skipper Lewis Gibson turned the ball past Mateusz Hewelt to score an unfortunate own goal. Article continues below video content Everton tried to respond following great work by Nathan Broadhead but when David Henen centred and the ball eventually fell to Bowler, the keeper blocked his shot with his chest. Everton stuck at their task in what had become a more even contest in terms of possession and Henen had a great chance in the stroke of half time when he was put clean through but the Belgian delayed too long and ultimately had the chance closed down. Ward in the Liverpool goal made another stop early in the second half to deny Bowler after the winger had moved into a more central role following the withdrawal of Conor Grant from midfield and the introduction of Danny Bramall. Later in the half, after Solanke and Hornby had gone into the book following a set-to, Gibson had to clear off the line to deny the Liverpool striker a third goal for the reds. Matters did get worse for Everton not long afterwards. Hewelt flapped badly at a deep cross from the right, an attempted clearance was skied back into his six-yard box where he once again missed his punch and the ball dropped over the line via the leg of visiting defender Phillips. Bassala Sambou came off the bench to score a well-taken consolation goal. Everton U23s: Hewelt, Markelo, Ouzounidis, Gibson {c}, Foulds, Bowler, Denny, Grant (46' Bramall), Henen [Y], Broadhead (61' Sambou), Hornby [Y]. Subs not Used: Hilton, Mampala, Tarashaj. Reader Comments (18) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Brian Cleveland 1 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:05:11 Is it up and running yet, I've got nothing happening... Michael Kenrick 2 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:06:26 And they're off! Josh Bowler hits the post!Teamsheet to follow... Brian Cleveland 3 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:11:46 Bugger me, missed that Michael, stream hadn't connected for some reason... got it now though Michael Kenrick 4 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:12:44 Lewis Gibson captains Everton Under-23s tonight... Everton U23s: Hewelt, Markelo, Ouzounidis, Gibson, Foulds, Bowler, Denny, Grant, Henen, Broadhead, Hornby. Subs: Hilton, Sambou, Bramall, Mampala, Tarashaj.1,198 people watching online... Michael Kenrick 5 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:15:51 A lengthy talking to and an early yellow card for Alex Denny, whose challenge was a little late. Brian Cleveland 7 Posted 16/04/2018 at 19:25:50 How was that a penalty? Michael Kenrick 9 Posted 16/04/2018 at 21:41:07 Love these marks outta 10 from the Red Echo:Hewelt 7Markelo 7Ouzounidis 7Gibson (c) 7Foulds 7Bowler 7Grant 7 (46' Bramall 7)Denny 7Henen 7Broadhead 7 (61' Sambou 7)Hornby 7I guess they'd have all been 6s or 5s if we'd've lost... Oh, hang on! Dermot Byrne 10 Posted 16/04/2018 at 21:46:13 Michael, the Echo is being sensitive to the thin skins of these poor little vulnerable darlings. David Hallwood 11 Posted 16/04/2018 at 22:01:10 Ah it's a derby so we're not allowed to win. Steve Ferns 12 Posted 16/04/2018 at 23:29:39 Seems to me that Baningime, Dowell, and Walsh have not been suitably replaced. Eddie Dunn 13 Posted 16/04/2018 at 23:44:10 Where was Antony Evans? Alan J Thompson 14 Posted 17/04/2018 at 06:16:03 At least we seem to have manged five subs this time but surprised Tarashaj was not given a run or more time for recently returned Mathis. Apart from Solanke did the other lot give a run to any other recent Ist XI squad members? Jim Bennings 15 Posted 17/04/2018 at 07:25:52 Doesn't look like anything massively talented coming through the ranks suitable for the Premier League any time soon in my opinion. Dave Abrahams 16 Posted 17/04/2018 at 12:05:18 Eddie (13), Evans was injured a couple of weeks ago, ankle injury. I think it was reported that he wouldn't play again this season. The injury came while he was in a very good spell of form. He is one to look out for next season. Rob Young 17 Posted 17/04/2018 at 12:12:30 Unsworth has urged Henen to earn himself a new contract at the club.Why? To play in the U23 for another couple of years? Steavey Buckley 18 Posted 17/04/2018 at 15:44:19 I find the Under-23s football a recipe for going nowhere, whatever the results. Unless players are loaned out to good footballing clubs, Under-23 players are never really tested and challenged. A Reserve football league should be reinstated to provide more competitive football for untried younger players who are not loaned out. Colin Malone 19 Posted 17/04/2018 at 17:39:54 Get Sheedy back. Rudi Coote 20 Posted 18/04/2018 at 16:38:39 The shite beat us again? No surprise there then. I doubt we ever win the toss. Annoying as fuck... 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