Under-18s Fall To Premier League Cup Defeat

Everton Under-18s' Premier League U18 Cup campaign came to an end with a 4-3 defeat against Bristol City despite a spirited display at Finch Farm.

With progression from Group C already out of reach ahead of the final group match, Keith Southern handed starts to Harlow McEveley of the Under-16s and Francis Boggan of the Under-15s, giving the youngsters valuable experience.

Everton began the match brightly, controlling possession and probing down the right-hand channel. However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock against the run of play inside ten minutes when Illan Wood finished from close range.

Bristol City doubled their lead when a free kick from a promising position struck the post and fell to Wood, who tapped home for his second of the match.

The Blues pulled a goal back ten minutes before the interval, with Malik Olayiwola reducing the deficit with a clinical finish from close range, following a well-worked move in the final third.

Everton had chances to equalise after the restart, with Olayiwola’s direct free kick shaving the right post, before Charlie Stewart lifted a close-range effort over the bar.

However, Bristol City restored their two-goal cushion on the hour mark when Wood headed home from a corner to complete his hat-trick.

Substitute Ray Robert pulled Everton back into the contest almost immediately, stretching to reach the ball in the area and prodding it past Freddie Godden.

With ten minutes remaining, Stewart threatened again, swinging a driven effort towards goal from the right channel and forcing a strong save from Godden.

Despite pushing for the equaliser, it was Bristol City who struck late on to restore breathing room thanks to a Luke Skinner strike.

Shea Pita added to the late flurry of goals in added time, steering home from the centre of the box, but Bristol City held on to take the points.

Manager Keith Southern was disappointed with the defeat, but was pleased with aspects of his side's performance and the opportunities for players from younger age groups.

"I was pleased for many reasons," Southern told evertonfc.com. "We've got a lot of lads who are out injured at this moment in time, but off the back of that we gave opportunities to Under-16s. We had four Under-16s play today and we had an Under-15 play 90 minutes, who was actually only 14 years of age, so there's lots and lots of positives. 

"The first goal was excellent, really well-worked, I suppose. The disappointment was the manner of the goals we conceded.

"[Boggan] was deserving of his opportunity, so he's a good addition and we're happy to have him playing up with us.

"Malik's [Olayiwola] in a really good place currently. He's playing in a couple of different positions. He's playing high up off the front. He scored a really good goal, and then he showed how good he can be in a deeper role, when he kind of dictated the play for large spells. I thought he was excellent today.

"There was a lot of positives that we can hang onto over the next few weeks, and take forward into this congested and exciting fixture list we've got. I said to the players about that resilience and character, it's a lesson that they'll learn as their careers develop.

"I thought the goals we gave away were cheap and the lads will know it, but it's learning."