03/08/2024 10comments  |  Jump to last
Everton Academy 1 - 2 Punjab FC [PKs: 3 - 4]

A team of Everton U17 players lost their final group game in the Premier League Next Generation Cup at Tamworth this evening against the third Indian opponent, Punjab FC, kick-off delayed from 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm.

Everton go into this last round of games in pole position having won both their previous outings and secured extra points in the ensuing penalty shoot-outs that follow each of the 50-minute games. 

The 20-man squad is the core of last season's Under-18s side, augmented by new graduates and a couple of new signings that have boosted the section available to coach Leighton Baines.

The Blues wore the new charcoal black away third kit and looked to give up the first goal when a chance was created and then spurned by Punjab. But Everton opened the scoring after a great feed from Jacob Beaumont-Clark to put the young Toffees ahead after just 4 minutes. 

Article continues below video content


Everton caused themselves a problem when Aled Thomas was caught in possession at the back but Punjab could not convert the chance their keen pressing had created. Punjab were making the game very competitive, perhaps a reaction to the hammering Everton gave their compatriots from East Bengal yesterday! 

Everton were coming under some pressure but Lukjanciks saved a speculative shot and set Everton on the attack, with a decent attempt from Foster, a strong lad who looks very good at this level. 

After the break, out of nothing, Punjab equalized with a clever lob that beat Lukjanciks all hands down. Everton huffed and puffed but Punjab again pulled a sucker punch, a shot from a defender beating Lukjansciks and in off the post. 

And that's the way it stayed. Everton were just outplayed by a very determined Indian side. 

So to penalties: George Finney lashed the first high into the top corner; Punjab also scored [1 - 1]

Next up was Jacob Beaumont-Clark, who sent the keeper the wrong way; Punjab also scored [2 - 2]

Kean Wrensaw his penalty saved as the keeper guessed right; Lukajanciks did the business to keep Punjab out [2 - 2]  

Joel Catesby hammered his penalty home; the Punjab player just rolled it down the middle [3 - 3]

Callum Bates shockingly lashed his penalty over the crossbar! And Punjab sealed the extra point with Everton finishing the group stage very disappointingly.  [3 - 4]

Everton U17s:  Lukjanciks, Freedman, Thomas (42' Samuels-Smith), Van Schoor, Matos [Y:21'] (47' Gardener), Foster, Lambert (26 Finney), Stewart (45' Catesby), Graham (42' Bates), Beaumont-Clark, Catesby (26' Roberts).  (42' Wren)

The game was streamed live on YouTube: Everton Academy vs Punjab FC, .

 

Reader Comments (10)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 03/08/2024 at 18:04:20
The tension is building:

"Stream will begin shortly..."

Kick-off seems to be a bit delayed...??

Yes, stream begins: kick-off delayed to 6:20.. time for a prawn sandwich.

Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 03/08/2024 at 18:14:21
Full Everton Squad (all between 15 and 18):

1 George Pickford
2 George Finney
3 Josh van Schoor
4 Odin Samuels-Smith
5 Aled Thomas
6 Harvey Foster
7 Jacob Beaumont-Clark
8 Callum Bates
9 George Morgan
10 Braiden Graham
11 Joel Catesby
12 Doug Lukjanciks
14 Rocco Lambert
15 Freddie Freedman
16 Luis Gardener
17 Charlie Stewart
18 Melvin Matos
19 Kean Wren
20 Ademide Akakriki
21 Ray Roberts

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 03/08/2024 at 18:28:47
Nice finish from Joel Catesby to put the Young Blues ahead after just 4 minutes! Yes!!
Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 03/08/2024 at 20:02:58
Well, what a shocking turnaround!

Everton that!

Dennis Stevens
5 Posted 03/08/2024 at 20:16:06
After just a few minutes, I had to mute the commentary, dreadful stuff!
Ajay Gopal
6 Posted 04/08/2024 at 16:13:02
Is this guy Odin Samuels-Smith any relation to Ishe Samuels-Smith who we sold to Chelsea last year?
John Raftery
7 Posted 04/08/2024 at 17:04:09
Ajay, he's his brother.
Tony Abrahams
8 Posted 05/08/2024 at 11:01:33
Anyone who wants to see the goals can find them on the Everton page now.

The equalizing goal is what football is all about for me with the little Indian getting so much lift on the ball to get it over and away from the Everton keeper. A special goal for anyone who appreciates the skilful aspect of the beautiful game.

Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 05/08/2024 at 12:03:50
I think, after hammering East Bengal 6-0 the day before, the Everton lads just thought they could stroll through this one and end up in the Next Gen Cup Final — against Stellenbosh of South Africa.

That honour went to Spurs, who got beat 2-0 yesterday, while Everton played out for 5th place, where they seemingly had a reaction to this loss and hammered Muthoot this time 6-1.

Danny O’Neill
10 Posted 05/08/2024 at 12:47:37
Thanks for the write-up Michael. I hope the live stream was better than for the Preston game. I thought my son was going to punch his laptop!

I often wonder, just like the US, if there is talent to be tapped into from the Indian sub-continent. A few of the lads I used to coach were of Indian descent. Lightweight, but they had pace. I used them as full-backs.

I'm sure that was a good run out for the young blues.


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