LEWIS CODLING’S second-half goal gave Everton under-18s their first win in eight matches as they beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0.

Neil Dewsnip’s side have had a frustrating spell of draws and a couple of defeats in the Premier Academy League North West section, but finally earned the win they deserved on Saturday.

Jose Baxter, who has recently been out injured, made his first appearance in the U18s this season after featuring in David Moyes’s first team. And the 16-year-old, who became the club’s youngest ever player, helped the U18s to start the match positively before going off on the hour mark.

Despite dominating for much of the first half, Everton had few chances to break the deadlock. But 10 minutes after the break Codling, who recently signed professional terms at the club, fired in a superb shot from the edge of the area.

Everton could have inceased their lead. Codling and Luke Powell had chances.

Substitute Conor McAleny and Tom McCready hit the bar and post respectively, but in the end one goal was enough to claim the points.

Coach Dewsnip said: “I am delighted for the players because the last few weeks have been hard. And other than last week, when we played badly, we haven’t been doing too much wrong, but just not winning.

“On Saturday the first half wasn’t great and it looked like it was a match between two teams lacking in confidence and get themselves going. Fortunately for us we scored the first goal and it was enough to win the game. I am sure had Bolton got the first goal they might have kicked on a little bit. But it was good for us we got it and in the end I think the win was deserved.

There are no Academy League fixtures this weekend. Dewsnip’s side are next in action when they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers a week on Saturday, December 6.

EVERTON U18s: Stubhaug; Barkley, Barnett, McCarten, Nsiala; McCready, Kinsella, Akpan, Powell (McAleny 80); Codling, Baxter (Sheppard 60). Subs: Duffy.