Everton Under-23s side beat Runcorn Town 7-1

Nathan Broadhead scored five fine goals as a dominant Everton Under-23s side beat Runcorn Town 7-1 in a pre-season friendly at USM Finch Farm on Saturday afternoon.

Josh Bowler and Rhys Hughes were also on target as David Unsworth’s team produced a scintillating attacking performance.

Everton piled on the pressure after the North West Counties League Premier Division side took an early lead through Kieran Holsgrove.

Bowler struck the post and Broadhead forced an acrobatic fingertip stop from Runcorn goalkeeper Adam Reid before the Blues got the equaliser their slick forward play deserved.

Everton’s opening goal came on 17 minutes when a corner delivery fell at Broadhead’s feet six yards from goal and the attacker lashed into the top corner.

The Wales Under-21 international scored his second on 28 minutes when he took aim from just inside the area and placed an accurate shot past Reid.

And Broadhead completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark, rounding the Runcorn keeper and slotting into the net.

The Blues did not let up and added a fourth just before the half-time interval, the dangerous Bowler skilfully turning his marker before arrowing a low drive into the bottom corner.

Everton’s fifth goal of the afternoon came 13 minutes after the break when Hughes hammered a shot in off the post from 20 yards.

Broadhead soon had his fourth and Everton’s sixth, powering home from inside the area following a clever free-kick routine.

And the Welshman capped a superb individual performance by tapping in from close range three minutes from time after Bowler’s shot was parried.