For the second time in 4 days Everton found the net three times to pile on misery against a very disappointing Bolton side who were on the back end of a good result against group ‘D’ leaders Newcastle United last weekend.
2 minutes into the second Connor Grant struck to put the blues ahead then followed by an Adam Thomas header from a Ryan Higgins cross with Anton Forrester adding the third to complete the rout.
A very cold morning at Lostock Lane as this game was rearranged from last month due to a postponement. Everton fielded the same team as they did at Derby last Saturday with the exception of Sam Kelly being absent and his position being filled by Gethin Jones.
Bolton kicked off but the opening stages offered very little apart from a couple of free kicks to both sides and a Forrester effort that forced Bolton Keeper Fielding into a save to his right.
Everton settled the better of the two at this stage but failed to create, Thomas had the goal in sight only to see his shot blocked by a defender.
Bolton’s Matthews received a yellow card early in the game for a late challenge on Barrow in the half way line and under the referee’s nose.
The teams were cancelling each other out with the defences breaking down the attacks and Roberts Everton’s keeper virtually a pedestrian.
Pennington foiled a Bolton attack to set Thomas away on the left who delivered a ball but unfortunately his team mates could not react to it.
Roberts was called upon when a cross from full back Thirkell was travelling towards the goal, Roberts reacted well sensing the danger to palm the ball over the bar.
Bolton pressed but centre back Pennington was standing strong to deny the “Trotters†the opportunity by foiling Kellett inside the box.
The first half was not a great spectacle as chances were minimal, only long range shots were all Everton could muster, Everton were showing good attacking skills with both full backs Higgins and Johns supporting Jones and Orenuga.
HALF TIME
BOLTON WANDERERS U18’S 0 EVERTON U18’S 0
The game was crying out for a goal and it came two minutes into the second half as Everton built up down the left, Grant received the ball and his left foot did the rest sending Fielding sprawling to his left. Thomas only minutes later failed to score as he hit a half volley just past the right hand stick.
When Bolton responded going forward, the visitors got back in numbers, even front man Forrester was tracking back to support his colleagues.
Thomas went close with a header before Johns linked well with Forrester who held the ball up to lay it off to Barrow who then tried his luck from distance and was not afraid to shoot especially after the opener he had scored at Derby four days previously.
Higgins raced with speed down the right to cross for Thomas to finish with a lovely flicked header again to the Keepers left and give the blues a 2 goal cushion.
There was only one team in this game now with Everton really working well as a unit even Fielding the Bolton keeper could be heard saying that â€It was too easy†to his defenders which was complimentary towards the opposition.
Everton took advantage of Bolton’s frustration Gethin Jones picked the ball up inside his own half and ran forward in acres of space unchallenged who then felt time to unleash a shot that wasn’t far away.
63 minutes arrived and game over, Jasper Johns made an encouraging spirited tackle to send Forrester away who walked the ball into the net only for the scoreline to show a true reflection of the visitors dominance in the second period.
Everton saw out the remainder of the game without any problems, Pennington and Heneghan soaked up any danger Bolton posed and a very much needed three points was well earned today.
Everton were really the better side and deserved the points, i commented to Kevin Sheedy at the end what pleasure it was to witness such a great team effort.
Man of the match award goes to them all, it would be difficult to pick one out from that performance.
Everton travel to Sheffield United on Saturday morning for another “Inter House “ fixture
FULL TIME
BOLTON WANDERERS U18’S 0 EVERTON U18’S 3
Bolton: Fielding, Thirkell (Gibson 65), Matthews, Dennis (c), Hudson, Woodland, Kellett, Wolstenholme, Clough, (Newby 60) Ollis, Caton (Youngs 67). Unused Subs Maher, Silvers
Coaches David Lee &Tony Kelly.
Everton: Roberts, Higgins, Johns, Heneghan (c) (Shannon75), Pennington, Barrow, Orenuga (Waring 72), Grant, Thomas, Forrester, Jones (Molyneux 70).Unused subs Fitzgibbon(GK),Green
Coach Kevin Sheedy
Match Official Mr M Astley