New Everton signing Boris Mathis bags a brace on debut

Boris Mathis bagged two goals as Everton Under-23s cruised to a comfortable 6-1 pre-season victory at Flint Town United on Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old French forward signed for the young Blues only earlier in the week, and took no time to get on the scoresheet, with Courtney Duffus, Morgan Feeney and Calum Dyson (2) also on target against the Welsh Alliance team currently managed by former Everton coach, Andy Holden.

Josh Bowler also made his first appearance in a royal blue jersey following his move from Queens Park Rangers on Friday, and it was the winger who was tripped inside the box in the 15th minute to give Everton a penalty. Conor Grant struck the spot-kick well but Nicky Bulmer in the Flint goal made a fine save.

The Blues took the lead in the 36th minute though, when Duffus produced an excellent half-volleyed finish from a pull-back by Antony Evans.

Boss David Unsworth made nine changes at half-time and the substitutes quickly put the outcome of the game to bed.

On the hour, Feeney was in the right place at the right time to plant a firm header past Bulmer, and then two minutes later Mathis rounded off an excellent Everton move by sliding in at the far post to poke the ball into the net.

Everton were very much in the ascendency in the north Wales sunshine and only smart saves by Bulmer to deny Dyson and Mathis prevented further goals.

However, the keeper was helpless in the 78th minute when David Henen raced clear before slipping the ball into Dyson’s path for a simple tap-in.

The fifth goal was similar – Henen breaking away down the left and squaring the ball for Dyson to convert again.

The Flint consolation came in the 88th minute. After the Blues’ fifth goal, the home side kicked off and, from the halfway line. Phil Doran fired a superb left-foot shot over a stranded Louis Gray and into the Everton net.

Mathis completed the scoring in stoppage- time with a neat finish. Another plus note on a very satisfying afternoon for Unsworth was the second-half appearance of Sam Byrne for his first taste of action since suffering a broken leg last year.

EVERTON: Renshaw, Bramhall, Garbutt, Denny, Foulds, Markello, Charsey, Grant, Evans, Duffus, Bowler. Subs: Gray, Robinson, Feeney, Byrne, Beningime, Henen, Donkor, Mathis, Dyson, Broadhead.