Agard leads way as Crewe derailed

Oct 16 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

IF there were any worries about how Everton under-18s would react to their first defeat of the Premier Academy League season they were answered in emphatic fashion with stunning 5-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side saw their unbeaten start ended by North West group leaders Manchester City last week but they bounced back in superb fashion with two goals from Kieren Agard and others from Jack Rodwell, Louis Codling and Lee Molyneux put them back on track.

Everton were 4-0 up at the break as Everton ran riot. Twice they had efforts cleared off the line and they also struck the woodwork.

Londoner Agard opened the scoring within a minute when James McCarten headed back across goal for the striker to score.

Then England youth international Rodwell quickly added a second following a free-kick from Danny Redmond.

Codling fired in his fifth goal of the season with an excellent 25-yard shot.

And Everton added a fourth when left-back Molyneux rifled in a low left-footed free-kick from 25 yards into the bottom corner.

Everton continued to create chances throughout the second half and could have at least doubled their goals tally, but in the end they could only add one more soon after the break, through Kieren Agard.

Dewsnip was naturally delighted with his side.

He said: “It was a great performance. I was very, very pleased with the mentality, but I have to say I am not surprised by it. They are a smashing set of lads. The defeat (against Manchester City) hurt them, but motivated them.

“We had numerous chances right throughout the game and could have scored even more, but what was just as pleasing was we defended correctly and kept a clean sheet.”

Everton will aim to continue their form when they welcome Blackburn Rovers this Friday evening (kick-off 7pm). Striker Codling was taken off as a precaution last week after getting a knock, but Everton are hopeful he will be fit.

EVERTON U18s: McEntagart; Stewart, Molyneux, McCarten, Sinnott; Rodwell (Akpan 70), O’Kane, Redmond, Krenn (McCready 70); Agard, Codling (Powell 45). Subs: Stubhaug, Baxter.