ACADEMY: Bad luck undoes U18s’ dominance

Apr 1 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO deflected goals meant Everton under-18s suffered a cruel 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest despite dominating for much of the match on Saturday.

In their pursuit of the runners-up spot behind runaway leaders Manchester City in the Premier Academy League north west section, Neil Dewsnip’s side were the dominant side and had numerous opportunities to have won.

Everton’s Moses Barnett went close with a couple of early openings. Then Eunan O’Kane shot over the bar when in a good position.

But against the run of play near the end of the first half Forest went ahead when James McCarten’s attempted clearance rebounded off a Forest striker and left Everton’s Australian keeper Michael McEntagert with no chance.

Everton came out for the second period in determined fashion and grabbed an equaliser when Tom McCready scored from close range following Lee McArdle’s cross from the right.

Dewsnip’s side continued to press for the winner and brought on attackers Kieran Agard and Lewis Codling. London-born forward Agard hit the post as he was sent through on goal by Jose Baxter.

Then to compound that missed opportunity Forest went straight down the other end and grabbed the winner on the break in the last 10 minutes with a deflected shot.

Dewsnip said: “We were very unlucky to lose. We played really, really well, possibly as good as we have done all year.There were some smashing individual displays and a very good team performance. I was very pleased with the performance and we had plenty of chances without just being able to take them.

“Both the goals we conceded were unfortunate.”

Everton will look to get back to winning this Saturday when they travel to Middlesbrough.

Bootle-born attacker Baxter and keeper Adam Davies both featured in Kenny Swain’s England under-16s squad as they won prestigious Montaigu tournament over the Easter holidays.

England beat Japan 3-1 in the opening game with Baxter scoring the opening from the penalty spot.

Then they beat Germany 1-0 and although they lost to USA by the same scoreline they topped Group B to progress to the final.

In the final they beat the hosts 5-4 on penalties after the match ended goalless. Baxter, who skippered the side, scored one of the give spot-kicks.

EVERTON U18s: McEntagart; McArdle, Sinnott, Barnett, McCarten; McCready, Krenn, O’Kane, Baxter; Powell (Agard 75) Sheppard (Codling 75). Sub: Stubhaug.