INEXPERIENCE proved costly again as Everton under-18s suffered another defeat as they lost 4-1 at West Bromwich Albion in the FA Premier Academy League on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side has had to perform without several established players due to reserve team fixtures in recent weeks. The second string has a match against Columbus Crew on Sunday, meaning Everton had only 13 players in their squad. They performed well, but lost 3-1 to north west section leaders Manchester City last week, and again this week a slow start gave them a mountain to climb in the Midlands.

Some costly errors saw Everton 2-0 down in the first 20 minutes. Keeper Lars Stubhaug misjudged a bouncing ball outside his area as he tried to head clear for the first and then defender Jake Bidwell was caught in possession on the halfway line to let the Albion striker to run through and add a second.

Everton pulled a goal back before half-time when Karl Sheppard headed in from Jake Bidwell’s cross.

Although they pushed for an equaliser, Dewsnip’s side couldn’t make the breakthrough and two cruel later goals gave an unfair look to the scoreline. Dewsnip said: “It was a tough scoreline. We are again challenged because of players needed for the reserves. But we made a poor start.

“We showed an unbelievable response. It was very positive. We played well until half-time, scored a very good goal from Karl Shepphard. From a desperate position we clawed our way back.”

Everton will be keen to get back to winning ways when they travel to Blackburn Rovers this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Dewsnip said: “It will be a tough match. We are challenged in terms of numbers at present.

“There are a lot of young boys in the team, but hopefully they are getting a lot of good experience. They are having to learn quickly of course.”

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, Barnett, Bidwell; Barkley, Kinsella, Forshaw; Sheppard, Codling, McAleny (Krenn 80).