HALL PLEASED WITH PROGRESS

Wednesday 9 December 2009, 14:21
by Paul Dargan

Academy Manager Ray Hall has commended Everton’s Under-18’s after their FA Youth Cup third win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

When the draw came out the hat many people were expecting a tough and tight game with few goals - and that’s exactly what they got.

The game stayed goalless until the 103rd minute, when Conor McAleny's header turned out to be the winner.

And Hall told evertonfc.com that besides some difficult moments in the first half and right before the end of normal time, the Blues had fully deserved to come away from Billingham Synthonia with a victory.

He said: "There was nothing between the two sides early on, but they began keeping possession better than us and we found it difficult to get the ball - without them actually creating many chances.

"10 minutes before the interval, they hit the bar and the coaches had a lot to say in the dressing room at half-time. But after that, if anybody was to win the game it was going to be us.

"I think we hit the post three times and the bar once throughout the game; their goalkeeper was under a lot more pressure than ours. I spoke to their staff after the game and they agreed that they shaded the opening 45 minutes, but were second-best for much of the remainder."

Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton

There were good performances all over the park for the Blues and Hall was particularly impressed with the defence - one which has now not conceded in over eight hours of football.

But with just a trip to Wolves to play before the calendar year is out, and a break of four weeks, Hall feels that the rest will do them good - unless they are called upon for duty by manager David Moyes.

"I thought the back-four played very well and were solid under-pressure,” he added. “And not only were they good defensively, when you have players of the height of Toto (Aristote Nsiala), (Shane) Duffy and (Shkodran) Mustafi, they are a danger at the other end; especially with Jose's (Baxter) good delivery.

"At the beginning of the season, we looked at the make-up of the team and as injuries have unfortunately been frequent throughout the Club, it has meant that some of our players have moved through (the ranks) quickly and we haven't had the main bulk of them together.

"But it's been great experience for a few of them," Hall continued, "to be playing for the reserves and even the first-team and these players have been doing a fantastic job and been due a break since June.

He added: "We hope the manager does need the younger players though, (over the Christmas period) as that will only enhance their experience."