Everton youngsters keep up winning habit

Sep 18 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

LEWIS CODLING’S second-half goal allowed Everton under-18s to come from behind to win 2-1 at Sheffield United on Saturday and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Neil Dewsnip’s side have now won four of their five matches in the Premier Academy League and sit top of the North West section. But they had to show all their battling qualities to win at Sheffield, who also boasted an unbeaten start going into Saturday morning’s match.

United did much of the early running and took the lead just before the half-hour mark when they scored from a header following a counterattack.

The visitors, though, replied almost immediately when Moses Barnett’s free-kick was dropped by the Sheffield United keeper and carried over the line, which was seen by the assistant referee.

Both sides had their chances thereafter but after Dewsnip brought on Kieran Agard for Jack Redmond in the second half, Everton began to come more and more into the match. The London-born forward almost grabbed the winner himself, but he saw one effort come back off the post, another strike the bar and a third saved by the keeper.

But Everton eventually got the reward for their efforts as Jose Baxter set up his strike partner Codling for his third goal of the season. Everton had chances to add to their lead but in the end Codling’s strike was enough.

Dewsnip said: “It was a really tough game. They were quite direct, quite physical and up for it and motivated, especially with their (club) manager (Bryan Robson) being on the touchline watching.

“The lads showed great mental qualities to come back from going a goal behind.

“In the second half they started better than us, but when we brought on Kieran Agard, he made a good impact. He hit the bar, the post and the keeper made a great save.

“But once we got 2-1 up it could have been more really and although we ran out comfortable winners in the end but it was fairly scary for a big chunk of the game.”

Everton will bid to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign against Sunderland at Netherton this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

EVERTON U18s: McEntagart; Stewart, Sinnott, McCarten, Barnett: O’Kane, Akpan (Krenn 25), Redmond (McCready 85), Rodwell (Agard 60); Baxter, Codling. Subs: Stughaug.