ACADEMY: Everton victory over Boro secures second spot

Apr 8 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

GOALS from Jose Baxter and substitute Danny Redmond made sure of second place in the Premier Academy League north west section as Everton under-18s side scored an impressive 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side are too far behind leaders Manchester City to catch them, but at least they will finish as runners-up after another excellent display.

Everton started brightly, and Kieren Agard went close with one effort, while Cory Sinnott headed another chance over the bar.

Middlesbrough, though, came into the match more and ironically Everton took the lead during this period. England youth international forward Baxter curled a superb 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Middlesbrough tried to hit back but on 65 minutes Everton doubled their lead. And it again came from a free-kick as substitute Redmond delivered the ball in from out wide and it evaded everyone and went into the net.

Dewsnip was delighted with the performance but feels they could have had even greater reward for the season’s efforts. He said: “Once we knew we couldn’t finish top of the section we wanted to finish as high as we could. We have done that, but we could easily have run Manchester City closer, because there were a few games at the start of the year we should have won.

“To put it into context, though, we have played almost all the season with an under-17s team and our best U17 (Jack Rodwell) has been with the first team a lot. So if we can keep the group together, potentially we could be stronger.”

Everton will look to continue in the good form they have been right up to the end of the campaign. They have just two matches left. The finish their campaign at north west section winners Manchester City on April 19. But first they play their final home match of the campaign at Finch Farm this Saturday against Barnsley.

Dewsnip said: “We will try and finish the season properly. Now we are confirmed second we will refocus and try and win these last two games.”

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Stubhaug; Barnett, McArdle, Sinnott, McCarten; McCready, Krenn (Redmond 60), O’Kane, Baxter; Agard (Powell 80), Codling (Sheppard 80).