ACADEMY: Frustration as Crewe dig in

Mar 4 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON coach Neil Dewsnip is far from concerned after an excellent display at Crewe Alexandra failed to glean the reward it deserved.

Despite dominating and creating numerous chances Everton under-18s lost 1-0.

They are still looking for their first win of the year and were denied by some inspired goalkeeping from a determined Crewe side, who they beat 5-0 earlier in the season. Crewe led after just seven minutes after a shot from distance fortuitously rebounded off an Everton defender to allow them to score.

But after that it was all Everton. Lewis Codling went close, while Jose Baxter saw a header hit the bar.

After the break Dewsnip’s side laid siege to the Crewe goal with almost every attacker having a chance to score, with Codling, Baxter and substitute Kieran Agard going close.

Dewsnip said: “It is frustrating, but it was a very positive performance. We were very disappointed with our performance against Bolton last week. It was probably as poor as we have played all year. That hurt us and we talked about focusing on a better performance, which we got.

“We missed a number of chances, probably in double figures over the course of the game. We haven’t scored and obviously I am not pleased with the finishing, but in terms of reacting to the week before it was very positive.”

He added: “We gave Crewe a bit of a runaround earlier in the season and give them credit this time, they defended for their lives.”

Everton continue to search for their first win of a frustrating 2008 and will hoping to finally get it when they travel to Blackburn this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Dewsnip said: “Despite losing against Crewe, if we play like that for the rest of the season, we will find our results turn around.”

Dewsnip has a full squad to select from this week.

EVERTON UNDER-18s: McEntagart; Stewart, Barnett, Sinnott, McCarten; Akpan, O’Kane (Agard 60), Redmond (Krenn 75), Powell; Baxter, Codling (Sheppard 70). Subs: Stubhaug, McCready.