Sheedy: Weather Played Part

Conditions affected U18s draw with West Ham, says Academy coach.

Kevin Sheedy agreed that the wind played a pivotal part in Everton Under-18s 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Saturday.

The visitors shaded the first period of the game but the Toffees were much stronger in the second and ultimately deserved the point.

“We played into a strong wind in the first half and it was difficult for us to get the ball down and pass it,” said Sheedy. “We stuck at it but could not really hurt the opposition.

“We conceded a soft goal from a penalty when they’ve had a shot and the ball has hit the defender’s arm. I don’t think it was deliberate but sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t.

“We were 1-0 down but we weren’t overly concerned because we knew that we would get back at them in the second half.”

With the wind blowing in their favour after the restart it was a far more productive second 45 minutes for Everton and a Joseph Williams penalty restored parity.

“The main thing was not to concede again before the break and then when we had the wind in the second half our play was a bit quicker and we passed it better,” said Sheedy. “We finished well and could have even won it before the end.”