Season › 2024-25 › News Everton Academy hammer East Bengal in Next Generation Cup Michael Kenrick 02/08/2024 12comments | Jump to last East Bengal FC 0 - 6 Everton Academy [PKs: 4 - 1] An Everton Academy team fairly hammered East Bengal 6-0 in the second group game of the Premier League Next Generation Cup this afternoon, and won an extra point in the ensuing penalty shootout. Everton dominated the play and created a number of chances early on but just could not convert in the first 25-minute half. But a free-kick taken by Harvey Foster soon after the break was hammered into the roof of the net by Ademide Akarakiri to give Everton the lead. Seconds letter, Everton were 2 goals up as Foster swung in a tricky ball that Wren converted from close range after a short corner. Joel Catesby then celebrated his new professional contract in some style, driving in from Foster's short free-kick to power his shot across the keeper and into the net for goal number 3. Substitute Braiden Graham made it 4 with a gift from the East Bengal defence. Article continues below video content Everton then won a soft penalty on Finney, who scored from the spot. Ray Roberts then produced an excellent finish off a feed from Akarakiri, but was later fouled badly, leading to some handbags between the teams, as the Indian side became very frustrated, and the referee wisely cut things short at 48 minutes. Pickford was first up in the penalty shoot-out, striking it into the corner, but was unable to stop East Bengal replying [1 - 1] Next up was Braiden Graham who put his spot-kick in off the post; Pickford was shown a yellow card before he dropped down to save East Bengal's second [2 - 1] Charlie Stewart stroked his penalty home; Pickford again arguing with the referee as the East Bengal keeper wanted treatment before he was substituted. Pickford then blocked the ball up onto the bar, and down onto the post before he grabbed it — apparently not over the line — deemed a goal [3 - 1] Ademide Akarakiri then finished things off without further incident to give Everton the additional point from the penalty shoot-out [4 - 1] Everton now top the group table ahead of Crystal Palace after 2 games. Everton Academy: G Pickford [Y:PK], Finney, Gardener, Van Schoor (38' Roberts), Samuels-Smith (28' Lambert), Foster (43' Freedman), Akarakiri, Bates (28' Mattos), Catesby (33' Stewart), Morgan, Wren (28' Graham). Subs not Used: Lukjanciks, Thomas, Beaumont-Clark. The full game is available on YouTube: East Bengal FC vs Everton Academy Reader Comments (12) 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 () Michael Kenrick 1 Posted 02/08/2024 at 14:16:35 There should be a couple of links to stream this live: East Bengal FC vs Everton | Premier League Next Generation Cup 2024 Michael Kenrick 2 Posted 02/08/2024 at 15:04:52 And they're off! Dennis Stevens 3 Posted 02/08/2024 at 15:35:16 Where's this taking place? Michael Kenrick 4 Posted 02/08/2024 at 16:46:14 Dennis,All matches played at main and secondary pitches of Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, Tamworth, Staffordshire.Full Everton Squad (all between 15 and 18):1 George Pickford2 George Finney3 Josh van Schoor4 Odin Samuels-Smith5 Aled Thomas6 Harvey Foster7 Jacob Beaumont-Clark8 Callum Bates9 George Morgan10 Braiden Graham11 Joel Catesby12 Doug Lukjanciks14 Rocco Lambert15 Freddie Freedman16 Luis Gardener17 Charlie Stewart18 Melvin Matos19 Kean Wren20 Ademide Akakriki21 Ray RobertsEverton play the third and final group game against Punjab on Saturday 3 August, KO: 3:00 pm. Dennis Stevens 5 Posted 02/08/2024 at 16:55:42 Ta, Michael. I missed yesterday's match but caught this one & hope to see tomorrow's, subject to Wifey's w/e agenda. George Freeman 6 Posted 02/08/2024 at 17:38:28 That's Aston Villa's training ground and what a superb pitch. I wonder if they allow spectators in as I don't live far from there. Peter Gorman 7 Posted 02/08/2024 at 19:23:59 Watched the full game and it took a while for the blues to get going against a pretty limited but game opposition.No 11 Catesby looked to drive at the defence at every opportunity, cutting inside quite a bit from the wing, but otherwise most players in the first half just knocked it about in that modern way of not doing anything too incisive.Nice also to see our first glimpse of Braiden Graham. Mike Hayes 8 Posted 02/08/2024 at 20:11:30 Nice to see a scoreline like that attached to an Everton team.Dyche should have made the first team watch to see how to score! 🥳🙠Peter Moore 9 Posted 02/08/2024 at 21:00:39 Mike, Good shout lol. We really need the forwards to get their shooting boots primed for a fast start this season. A contrast from last season would be wonderful for all concerned.Labouring in vain is a thankless task.May their efforts bear fruit. Phill Thompson 10 Posted 02/08/2024 at 21:25:30 So many good performances today, particularly in the 2nd half, Harvey Foster best of the bunch for me. Ray Roberts looks quite a talent as he's still a schoolboy, I don't know his DOB and I'm assuming he's only 15 so he's playing up early, although he did start and get minutes for the U18s last season. One to watch out for. Michael Kenrick 11 Posted 03/08/2024 at 07:52:53 Phill, I think you must be right about Ray Roberts and the others in the squad whose dates of birth are not listed at sites like TransferMarkt — they must be under 16. They had a nice little interview after the match with Leighton Baines who no doubt continues as Under-18s manager into the new season. Phill Thompson 12 Posted 03/08/2024 at 09:23:21 Michael, I believe it's only Ray Roberts who's 15, all the other names are either 1st or 2nd year Scholars or U21s. They look a promising bunch, all be it against poor competition, but I like a bit of over eager optimism to cheer myself up where Everton are concerned! 🙂I listened to the Baines interview. It's a tough task he has , as he can only work with what he's got, but I'm expecting a big improvement in the U18s this season. 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