Everton down and out of Youth Cup after Bristol defeat

Dec 12 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON crashed out of the FA Youth Cup last night following a 2-0 defeat to Bristol City in the third round at Goodison Park.

A disallowed strike and a cruel own goal from James McCarten late in the first half saw Everton chasing the tie. And the visitors secured a home fourth round date with Leeds United in the New Year with a second goal from Marlon Jackson in the last minute.

It will be a bitter blow for coach Neil Dewsnip and his side, who created enough chances to have won the tie.

Everton thought they had taken the lead on 11 minutes but Kieran Agard was adjudged to have been offside when he got in on Eunan O’Kane’s through-ball to fire past Brisol keeper Balazs.

The visitors started to come into the match and Andy Rose’s rasping drive was just wide of Lars Stubhaug’s post and Luke Wilkinson was also just wide with a close-range header.

it was no surprise when Bristol took the lead, but it was cruel on McCarten, who could only divert a free-kick into his own net as he attempted to clear.

Everton appeared stunned by the strike and it was the visitors who looked more likely to add to their tally at the end of the first half and early in the second, but the home defence stood firm.

Everton, though, came back into it with London-born striker Agard firing just over on the hour.

John-Paul Kissock was also unlucky with an effort from 20 yards, but his blistering drive was also just too high.

Substitute Lewis Codling almost levelled with 15 minutes to go but he was denied superbly from close range by Bristol keeper Balazs and from the rebound Kissock fired high over the bar.

Left-back Moses Barnett also put his shot wide when well positioned as Everton poured forward in search of an equaliser to take the tie into extra-time.

But from a swift counter-attack Bristol extinguished that hope and Jackson’s cool finish saw them through to a fourth round tie with Leeds as Everton reflected on what might have been.

EVERTON YOUTH: Stubhaug, Stewart, Barnett, Sinnott, McCarten, Akpan (Codling 56), O’Kane, Redmond (McCready 86), Kissock, Baxter, Agard, Subs: McEntegart, Powell, McArdle.

BRISTOL CITY YOUTH: Balazs, Edwards, Boon, Ribiero, Wilkinson, Rose, Stearn, Kington, Jackson, Plummer, Stambolziev. Sub: McClennan, Towler, Child, Williams.

EVERTON under-18s play their Academy League match before the Christmas break this Saturday against Stoke City at Netherton (kick-off 11am), not at Finch Farm as stated in yesterday’s Liverpool Daily Post.