Reading U21s 1-1 Everton U21s

A Shane Dufy header just before half time rescued a well deserved point for Everton U21s away at Reading.

After three successive defeats Alan Stubbs & co arrived in Berkshire to face a Chris Cummins Reading that have won their last two games after suffering defeat in their opener at West Ham. The Biscuitmen lie currently in second place behind Arsenal who have maximum points where as Everton are rock bottom with no points on the board.

Everton playing in their all black strip welcomed new signing from Kilmarnock Matthew Kennedy to make his debut since the signing two weeks ago on transfer deadline day partnering Vellios in attack.

Reading included first teamers Stuart Taylor & Bryn Gunnarsson in their line-up as the game got underway.
The first fifteen minutes failed to live up to the blue skies and decent playing conditions with the home side settling the better of the two.

It was the Royals that broke the deadlock on twenty one minutes as Everton´s keeper Taudul failed to clear the danger as the home side were awarded a free kick taken by Losasso which fell conveniently to full back Matt Partridge who made no mistake from 20 yards with a ferocious half volley.

There was a chance for the home side to increased their lead on the half hour when captain for the day Brynjar Gunnarsson somehow failed to convert a volley and curl his effort outside of the post which would have spelled trouble for Everton.

With the half drawing to a close Everton were awarded a corner which was taken by Luke Garbutt, his delivery was met with at the near post by the tall Irishman to equalize for the visitors.

Moments before the break new boy Kennedy had a chance to make a name for himself only to be denied by the heroics of Stuart Taylor then Vellios somehow managed to head over when it seemed easier to score.

HALF TIME

READING U21´S 1 EVERTON U 21´S 1

Both coaches resisted the chance to make changes at the break content with their what they had seen in the opening period.

Matt Kennedy produced Everton´s first chance of the second half as the visitors started brightly but as in the first half, Taylor denied the youngster of his glory with another fine save.

Taudul made up for his earlier error by making a good save from close range with an effort from Ryan Edwards immediately denying Partridge, then from a corner, Losasso was provider again for goal scorer Partridge to send his header wide of the goal which was a let off for Everton.

Reading started to step it up as time was running out with the game far from being a classic, Taylor was unlucky to see his effort from a free kick go over the bar then near the end Sam Kelly should have given Everton the 3 points when at the death he somehow sent his header over the bar when a goal seemed to be the only outcome.

This hard earned point will be hopefully a stepping stone with a pleasing display from Matthew Kennedy as Everton travel to Leigh Sports village to face Blackburn Rovers on Monday week.

FULL TIME

READING U21´S 1 EVERTON U21´S 1

Reading: Taylor, Arnold, Partridge (Keown 89), MacDonald, Sweeney, Taylor, Gunnarsson, Losasso (Ikpeazu 74), Edwards, Tanner (Tshibola 81), Samuel

Subs not used: Henly, Webb

Everton: Taudul, Browning, Garbutt, Hammar, Duffy(Pennington 70), Lundstram, Junior, Grant(Hope 83), Vellios, Kelly, Kennedy Unused Subs,:Springthorpe (GK), Forrester, Green