EFC Academy: McCarten’s magic enough for victory

Oct 23 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

JAMES McCARTEN’S superb 20-yard free-kick was enough to give Everton under-18s their eighth victory from 10 Premier Academy League games as they beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Netherton on Friday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side managed to grind out the victory despite not being at their best.

McCarten struck with 20 minutes left, but it was also their defence which provided the platform for victory.

Twice Danny Redmond cleared off his goal-line late on as the visitors put Everton under pressure.

Everton had a couple of half-chances from Jose Baxter and Kieren Agard, but in the end Redmond’s free-kick was enough.

Coach Dewsnip said: “It was a really tough game and they were physically a lot stronger than us. But we held firm.

“The back-line of Sinnott, McCarten Stewart and Barnett were very strong. They gave them few chances and their only real one was when Danny Redmond kicked off the line twice in succession following a corner kick.

“We showed great character and mental toughness to get the win.

“It was amazingly different from the game the week before against Crewe where it was a really nice technical game of football. This was about mental qualities, about being mentally and physically strong and we survived.

“In terms of young players’ development that is a positive. With a bit of luck one or two of these are going to have to go into the darkest depths of Europe one day and you will need qualities that.”

Everton aim to continue their form when they visit Stoke City on Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Everton’s Jose Baxter and Adam Davies are both in the England under-16s squad for the Victory Shield match with Wales at Telford FC on Friday, November 2 and will probably miss the Liverpool game at Kirkby Academy the following day.

EVERTON UNDER-18s: McEntagart; Stewart, McCarten, Sinnott, Barnett; Redmond, O’Kane, Akpan; Baxter (Krenn 85), Agard, Codling. Subs: Stubhaug, McCready, Davies, Sheppard.