Everton U18s 0 WBA U18s 1

A Nathan Oduwa goal on ten minutes gave the visitors a deserved win after causing Everton countless problems during the opening 45 minutes.

Only for Springthorpe the margin could have been greater only for some solid goalkeeping.

Everton failed to create anything to trouble Palmer in goal for the visitors but came close on a couple of occasions and had a goal ruled out for offside.

Kevin Sheedy decided to include U16’s starlet Harry Charsley in today’s opening fixture against the “Baggies” at Finch Farm as the season got underway. There wasn´t a start either for new recruit Ben McLaughlin signed from Dundalk this week.

Gethin Jones read a misplaced back pass from Albion’s Tom Smart which forced Palmer to concede the corner for the host’s first threat.

Isiah Brown played a lovely flighted ball over the top of Everton’s defence to send Oduwa away to beat the advancing Springthorpe who was left helpless as Albiom drew first blood on ten minutes.

Everton replied three minutes later with the effective Gethin Jones setting Jasper Johns up only to see his effort rattle the cross bar.

Albion broke very quick in into attack leaving Everton’s defence in disarray. The creator of Albion’s goal (Brown) always looked dangerous on the ball having a shot blocked by full back Jon Joe Kenny to prevent the visitors increasing their lead.

On two occasions Springthorpe came to the rescue, first he stood his ground as the menacing Brown set goalscorer Oduwa on his way as the Everton keeper foiled the attack. Then again denied Oduwa with a shot which stung the keeper’s hands only to drop down on it at the second attempt with Charsley sending a shot wide in between Albions two chances.

Everton thought they had equalised on 25 minutes as Long was foiled from point blank range with Jones providing the service.

8 minutes from the break Everton had the ball in the net as Jon Joe Kenny exchanged passes with Jones but Jones’s angled effort went in off the post only to be disappointed to see the assistant referees raised flag.

Jasper Johns with the goal at his mercy spurned a great opportunity for Everton at the latter end of the half but the first half belonged to the visitors with some good outstanding performances from Brown, Oduwa and Barrow in particular.

HALF TIME

EVERTON U18’S 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION U18’S 1

Everton came out for the second forty five minutes with a hunger about them creating two chances early doors through Grant and Johns.

Springthorpe for the third time in the contest thwarted an Alex Jones effort by diving to his left holding comfortably.

Albion were controlling the game restricting Everton to few opportunities, they were a very well organised outfit working well for each other.

Everton’s Langton played himself and his colleagues into trouble after no pressure from anyone only to see Oduwa close him down then conceding a free kick unnecessarily by impeding the striker. Brown took the kick but again it was Springthorpe who plucked it from the top right corner.

Jones looked to be Everton’s biggest threat down the right, he found Long in the18 yard box to turn sweetly seeking some support from one of his team mates to feed but wasn’t given the support wasting a good opportunity.

Grant had a header saved from close range before being replaced by Williams then Jones drove a good effort over the top of the sticks as Everton were now looking frustrated with the clock ticking away with a much improved looking display.

Brown for the visitors goes close again just failing to connect to an Atkinson cross at the back post which was another let off for Everton.

Long was denied by Palmers left foot, then substitute Waring replacing Charsley nodded the ball into the path of Long who then set up Pennington dashing forward to blast another effort high over.

Jasper Jones spurned a great chance at the death with the goal at his mercy by hitting over the target and Williams then rounded the visiting keeper to send the ball into the side netting which summed up Everton’s miserable day.

Blues chief Kevin Sheedy was saying on the club website yesterday that he was looking for improvement especially in the defensive department so let’s hope there’s improvement all round in for the next trip to West Ham next Saturday.

FULL TIME

EVERTON U18’S 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION U18’S1

Team: Everton: Springthorpe, Kenny (Shannon 80), Pennington, Langton, Touray, Johns, Molyneux (C), Jones, Grant (Williams 70), Charsley (Waring 80), Long Unused Subs: Adelson, Duffus

Coach: Kevin Sheedy

WBA: Palmer, Atkinson, Smart, Pace, Howkins, Graham Jones, Brown, Birch, Alex Jones(Nabi 90), Oduwa, Barrow Unused Subs: McCalla, Lewis, Ambulu, Greenidge

Coach: James Shan

Match Officials Referee Mr G Dinsmore Assistants Mr S Peloe & Mr C Bull

Courtesy of Alan Ball from the GrandOldTeam forums.