Youngsters too good for Bristol

Aug 21 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON under-18s scored an excellent 4-2 opening-day victory over Bristol City at Netherton on Saturday.

In a lively match Everton were full value for their victory against a Bristol side, the majority of whom were older than the home youngsters.

Neil Dewsnip’s side began brightly and took advantage of some excellent dead-ball deliveries from Danny Redmond. They took the lead on 15 minutes when England schoolboy international captain Jack Rodwell scored from Redmond’s corner.

Cory Sinnott made it 2-0, heading home another of Redmond’s deliveries.

The wind was causing both sides a problem and Bristol reduced the arrears on the hour with a header, but almost immediately Hope Akpan also headed in from another Redmond corner.

An error of judgement by Everton’s Australian goalkeeper Michael McEntagart saw Bristol score again.

But with five minutes left Lewis Codling secured a 4-2 victory and all three points.

Coach Dewsnip said: “They were quite big and strong and athletic with some older players. They has three under-19s boys and we had only three U18s so it was a massive difference in age really.

“But we started well and the first half performance was very good. The second half was a bit of rollercoaster. But it is always good to start with a win and we are very pleased.

“The first day of the season is traditionally a bit mad. But our quality was there in the first half and that ultimately won the match.”

Everton are next in action on Saturday when they travel down to London to face Tottenham Hotspur for their first away fixture of the campaign (kick-off 11am).

They will be hoping to emulate the first team, who won their second successive match of the season at Spurs last week.

Dewsnip said: “We always have really good football matches with Tottenham and we are really looking forward to that.

“We are a young side. Eight first years started against Bristol.

“We have a few of the older boys who can come back in if needed. But they will have to force their way into the side now, following Saturday’s performance by the younger lads.

“Last year we had that problem of going 10 or 11 games without winning, so it is better like this and something we can build on.”

EVERTON UNDER-18s: McEntagart; Sinnott, Barnett, Rodwell, McCarten; Krenn, Akpan, Redmond, Stewart; Agard, Codling. Subs: Hall, Stubhaug, McCardle, Wallace, Brizell.