Blackburn U21s 0-1 Everton U21

Everton finally got off the mark last night with a victory on their 5th attempt but had to work hard against a hard working Blackburn side with ´keeper Mateusz Taudul making some very crucial saves.

Shane Duffy for the second time in two games got onto the score sheet 16 minutes into the second period as Everton held out for the 3 points.

At Leigh sports village, a very interesting fixture was to unfold with the two teams looking for their first win. Blackburn, lead by Gary Bowyer have struggled in their opening four games could only muster 2 draws and two defeats where as visitors Everton have lost three and finally getting their first point at Hogwood Park against Reading 10 days ago.

Everton playing with a 4-4-2 as Vellios and Forrester lead the line with support from Kennedy and Green on the flanks.

Everton were forced to make a change as early as 3 minutes as Luke Garbutt had to be replaced by goal scorer for the U18´s on Saturday Ibou Toray what looked like a hamstring injury.

The early stages of the game were very much in Blackburn´s favour with a string of attacks and Taudul being called upon a few times also being grateful to his 2 centre backs Duffy and Hammar for their protection and solid tackles.

Full back Ibou Toray was grateful to his Polish keeper Taudul after Touray had made a mess in defence to let Edhino Junior in only for the keeper to save his blushes.

A further scare occurred for the visitors came on the half hour as the Montenegrin Simon Vukcevic hitting the cross bar from a good way out with Taudul stranded as Everton failed to threaten.

Micah Evans denied his own team mate as Vukcevic saw his header stopped on the line as Everton were riding their luck and hopefully there would be more of an improvement with the next half awaiting.

HALF TIME

BLACKBURN ROVERS U21´S 0 EVERTON U21´S 0

The weather had been as miserable as Everton´s first half performance but hopefully the fans would witness a better spectacle as the second half was ready to recommence.

George Green had suffered a knock and had be replaced by scorer of 2 goal hero from last weekend Chris Long.
Everton breathed a sigh of relief as Portuguese midfielder Diego Rosado was put clean through but wasted a great opportunity to put the home side in front by blasting the ball wide of the target.

The 2nd half looked better for Everton with Matt Kennedy looking lively as the team must have been given a stiff talking to from coaches Stubbs and Weir.

Everton were awarded a free kick in the hour as Kennedy was making himself known to his marker. From the kick Hammar found his colleague Shane Duffy to head past the Rovers Polish keeper Sandomierski for his third goal of the season.

The goal gave the visitors a massive boost of confidence keeping Rovers at bay with a gritty performance in particular from Everton´s defensive pair of Hammar and Duffy.

For the second time in the game Diego Rosado was guilty of another chance wasted but Taudul was brave to make the important save and give Everton the much needed 3 points.

Bolton are the visitors to Finch farm on Sunday as Everton improve to push themselves up the league table.

FULL TIME

BLACKBURN ROVERS U21´S 0 EVERTON U21´S 1

Rovers: Sandomierski, Henley, Beesley, Jorge, Molina, Henrique, Evans (Osawe 58), Vukcevic, Junior (McLaren 76), Rosado, Morris. Unused subs: Payne, Urwin, Daly

Everton: Taudul, Browning, Garbutt (Touray 3), Grant, Duffy, Hammar, Kennedy, Kelly, Vellios, Forrester, Green (Long 52).Unused Subs: Springthorpe(GK), Pennington, Johns