Everton Under-21s kicked off their pre-season fixture programme with a hard-fought 3-1 victory at Northern Premier League side Guiseley on Saturday afternoon.

Kyle John, Eli Campbell and Matthew Apter were on target in a game played in sweltering conditions in west Yorkshire. 

After goals late in each half from John and Campbell put the Toffees in front, the home side reduced the arrears with an effort from a trialist.

Apter’s superb finish in the game’s dying moments made sure of an Everton win, however.

Everton Under-21s manager Paul Tait saluted a collective squad effort, having made a host of substitutions during the second half.

"We showed excellent levels of fitness and it was a very good test against a men’s team," Tait told evertonfc.com.

"We started off with the older lads in the team and I think we played some really good football, especially in the last 20 minutes of the first half.

"We played through the thirds and we had some really good passages of play.

"We had to dig in at times, too. We brought a lot of the younger players on for the final half-an-hour and it was tough, but the lads showed real resilience, which was pleasing. It will be a very good experience for them."

Jameel Ible came close to opening the scoring for Guiseley early on with a header, before Everton fashioned their first clear-cut chance on the quarter-hour mark.

Tyler Onyango made a marauding midfield run and slipped in Tom Cannon – the striker struck his shot with typical venom, but Guiseley keeper Kyle Trenerry made a fine stop.

Everton continued to press and the lively Sean McAllister flashed a drive just wide from the edge of the box.

The Blues were not to be denied, though, and took the lead shortly before half-time when John – who had hurtled forward down the right flank – latched onto a fine pass from Charlie Whitaker and drilled a powerful shot home.

Both teams made a raft of changes on the hour and Guiseley almost levelled immediately after the switches when the ball fell kindly to Nathaniel Crofts 10 yards out, but his attempt was well blocked. 

Everton then doubled their advantage six minutes from time when centre-back Campbell slotted in from close range.

A well-taken strike from one of several trialists turning out for Guiseley reduced the arrears, but Apter made the win safe with a precision effort into the top corner.

The fixture concluded a demanding pre-season training camp for Everton Under-21s.

The young Blues spent the week in York with their Under-18s counterparts and Tait believes the trip will hold them in good stead for the new campaign.

"The boys have worked ever so hard and we've been delighted with them," he said. "It's been very positive. The win rounds off a really good week.

"We'll have a day off on Sunday and then get right back to it at Finch Farm on Monday."