Report: Under-18s 0-2 BlackburnYoung Blues suffer setback in title race.Everton Under-18s’ hopes of a top-four finish suffered a setback after goals from Tre Pemberton and Daniel Butterworth handed Blackburn Rovers all three points at USM Finch Farm.
The Blues fielded a youthful starting 11 with regulars Callum Lees, Alex Denny and Shayne Lavery all absent.
Both sides, however, cancelled each other out in the opening stages of the game with neither managing to create a clear-cut chance.
To their credit, though, Kevin Sheedy’s side grew into the game and went close to opening the scoring through Fraser Hornby on 23 minutes. The Blues number nine collected Tom Scully’s long ball before unleashing a fierce half-volley which was
palmed away by Matt Campbell in the Rovers goal.
Ruefully, however, Rovers went straight up the other end and hit Sheedy’s side with a suckerpunch by taking the lead. Pemberton pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, before driving forward and toe-poking the ball into the bottom of Ben Pierce’s net from the edge of the area.
From there, Billy Barr's side began to take control of the game and went close on numerous occasions to doubling their lead. First, Tyler Magolire headed Callum Hendry’s corner over before Joseph Grayson fired well over after connecting with Pemberton’s pull-back.
Rovers continued to pile on the pressure, with Hendry forcing Pierce into a solid block after the midfielder had collected Stefan Mols’ cross. Mols himself then went close, but the midfielder could only find the side-netting from close range.
The second half, however, was a much more open affair with both sides trading chances in the opening five minutes. First Hendry’s low cross just evaded the outstretched leg of Charley Doyle.
While at the other end, Blues substitute Stephen Duke-McKenna saw his long-range effort comfortably saved by Campbell. Duke-McKenna then saw another long-range effort sail over the crossbar, after he collected Hornby’s knockdown.
The Blues’ best chance of the half fell the way of Anthony Gordon. Daniel Bramall’s defence-splitting pass released the young substitute but his effort was superbly blocked by the onrushing Campbell.
And with two minutes of normal time remaining, the young Blues were made to pay when Rovers sealed all three points. Butterworth collected Mols’ pass inside the Blues box after the midfielder had pounced on possession before coolly chipping the ball over Pierce and into the far corner of the net.
“It’s disappointing to get beat, but we had a young team out so we knew it was going to be challenging,” said boss Sheedy afterwards.
“They were a lot older and stronger than we were and in the first half, we got knocked off the ball too easily. We changed things around a bit at half time and in the second half we totally dominated.
“We had a couple of half-chances, but we huffed and puffed quite a lot and didn’t really show the quality in the final third that we have.”
Despite the disappointing result, Sheedy admitted he was pleased with the way a lot of the younger lads performed.
“It was really good for the four or five Under-16s playing,” said Sheedy.
“It was a real challenge for them and they stood up to the task which is really good for their long-term development as they will know the pace and physical factors of playing in the Under-18s when they step up next year.”
Everton: Pierce, Baxter, Moore, Scully, Harrington, Collins, Bramall, Kiersey (Gordon), Hornby, Adedoyin, John (Duke-McKenna). Substitutes not used: Jones, Mampala, Ouzounidis.
Blackburn: Campbell, Jackson, Thompson, Wright (Evans), Doyle, Maglorie, Pemberton, Mols, Butterworth, Hendry (Curran), Grayson. Substitutes not used: Buckley, Makinson, Paton.
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