Everton Under-18s 1-0 BoroEverton Under-18s extended their unbeaten run to six games after Jack Kiersey’s second-half strike was enough to hand them all three points against Middlesbrough at Finch Farm.
The young Blues dominated the game from the off and went close to taking the lead on 15 minutes. Nathan Moore advanced down the left before crossing for Shayne Lavery who saw his downward header comfortably saved by Sol Brynn in the Middlesbrough goal.
Ten minutes later and Kevin Sheedy’s side went close again, with Moore once again playing the role of provider. The winger produced a pin-point cross which found the head of Fraser Hornby – but the midfielder, fresh from a hat-trick against Stoke City last weekend – could only direct his header against the post. Lavery was quickest to react to the rebound, but the forward saw his effort blocked by Nathan Guru.
The visitors' best chance of the first half came just before the half-hour mark. Ben Liddle’s corner was only half-cleared with the ball eventually falling to Guru who fired well over.
Morgan Feeney and Lavery then both headed wide after connecting with Daniel Bramall’s crosses from the right, before Lavery would have the Blues' final chance of the first half. After disposing Antony Renton, the Northern Ireland youth international advanced clear on goal but could only drag his shot wide of the far post.
Sheedy’s side started the second half in the same manner as they’d finished the first. With Hornby volleying wide and Lavery seeing an effort blocked by Brynn, after the Boro keeper had dropped Bramall’s cross.
Hornby then fired over after good work from Bramall down the right, before the latter himself cleared the crossbar after being teed up by substitute Charles Ball.
Middlesbrough’s best chance of the second half came through Connor Malley. The winger went on a mazy run before cutting inside into the Blues box and letting fly with a right-footed effort which was pushed away by Chris Renshaw in goal.
But with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, the young Toffees would find the elusive breakthrough they so richly deserved.
Neat play between Liam Morris and Hornby saw the latter advance into the Boro box before pulling the ball back to Kiersey who coolly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to hand his side a justified three points.
Speaking after the final whistle to evertonfc.com, Blues boss Sheedy said he was delighted with his side's display.
“It was an excellent performance - we played really well," he said.
"We created plenty of chances yet struggled to find an end product, but the goal we scored was fantastic. It was great bit of football and Jack has showed the type of composure we lacked all game.”
The Everton legend was also delighted with his side's first shutout of the season.
“I'm delighted we've kept a clean sheet too," he added. "We’ve been working hard in training over the past couple of weeks to improve defensively so to get our first clean sheet of the season today is very pleasing.”
Everton: Chris Renshaw; Liam Morris, Ryan Harrington, Beni Baningime, Callum Lees, Morgan Feeney, Daniel Bramall (Miko Virtanen 90), Jack Kiersey, Shayne Lavery, Fraser Hornby, Nathan Moore (Charles Ball 65).
Substitutes not used: Aaron Jones, Manasse Mampala, Sid Kerr.
Middlesbrough: Sol Brynn; Liam Hegarty, Patrick Reading, Nathan Dale (Brandon Holdsworth 65), Nathan Guru, Anthony Renton, Ben Liddle ©, Jack Lambert, Mitchell Curry, Tyrone O’Neill, Connor Malley.
Substitutes not used: Zak Hemming, Liam Cooke, Steve Walker, Kieran Storey.
