DESPITE Karl Sheppard’s equaliser, Everton under-18s eventually lost their opening match of the season 2-1 to West Ham United at Finch Farm on Saturday.

It was a disappointing start to the FA Premier Academy League season for Neil Dewsnip’s side especially as they played well enough to have taken something from the match.

The Hammers took a 10th-minute lead, but Sheppard netted from Lewis Codling’s cross to level before half-time.

In the second-half Everton had few chances, but late on Femi Orenuga, on his debut, was denied by the keeper as he went through one-on-one and from the rebound Codling couldn’t scramble the ball home. But with five minutes left West Ham scored their second following a corner.

With seconds remaining, Conor McAleny saw a header to earn a point saved superbly by the West Ham keeper.

Dewsnip said: “The result was disappointing particularly the manner in which it happened. But there were a lot more positives than negatives in the performance.

“We didn’t start great and West Ham did. They got a goal up, but we rallied and showed some good character and spirit. We played really well up until half-time and got an equaliser.

“But the second-half petered out and there wasn’t a real goal-scoring chance until late on.