Academy Football: Baxter effort sees record maintained

Oct 2 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

JOSE BAXTER’S fifth goal of the season was enough to maintain Everton under-18s start to the season as they won 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The Bootle-born striker scored the only goal of the Premier Academy League match after just four minutes when he headed home Eunan O’Kane’s cross.

But Wolves hit back and had plenty of possession, but they didn’t create too many chances.

Neil Dewsnip’s side did well to collect the three points and on the counter-attack they had several chances to increase their lead.

Jay McCarten had a header cleared off the line following free-kick. While substitute Kieren Agard hit the bar and also saw another headed effort saved. And Lewis Codling almost added a second as well.

Dewsnip was again delighted with his side’s display and to maintain their unbeaten run after seven matches.

He said: “After we scored early on, we played some good counter attacking football, which is a kind of rhythm we seem to have got into. There was a great work ethic and the lads were very well organised.

“There are a lot of positives at present. So far we are still unbeaten, the lads are confident and very upbeat.”

Dewsnip said: “Jose (Baxter), Lewis Codling and Kieren Agard have all scored goals this season and maybe that is the difference to this time last year. We were playing well, but weren’t winning because we score really. But we have scored this year.”

Everton will bid to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign when they welcome Manchester City to Netherton this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

City have almost an identical record to Everton and are unbeaten, having scored 25 goals and won six of their seven matches, including a 3-2 derby victory over Manchester United at the weekend.

Dewsnip said: “The games between us and Manchester City are always competitive whatever the circumstances, but I suppose with both sides being unbeaten it adds a bit of spice to the game.”

EVERTON U18s: McEntagart; Stewart, Rodwell, Barnett, McCarten; O’Kane, Kinsella, McCready, Krenn (Agard 65); Baxter (Sheppard 88), Codling. Subs: McCardle.