A POWERFUL Eddie Bosnar free-kick in the second half gave Everton Reserves their first win of the season as they overcame Liverpool in the FA Premier Reserve League North last night.
Both clubs fielded young line-ups, largely made up of Academy players, with Everton's former England keeper Richard Wright (left) the only player of any real experience on view.
Liverpool's Neil Mellor had the game's first attempt on goal after 10 minutes when he shot straight at Wright from 18 yards after a strong run. Seven minutes later Everton striker Paul Hopkins shot just wide after a good cross from the right by Christian Seargeant.
Mellor went close with a glancing header just after the half-hour mark following a right-wing cross from Danny Guthrie, but the ball flashed just past the far post with Wright beaten.
In first-half stoppage time Mellor went close again when he met Lee Peltier's sweeping cross with a powerful header, but Wright made a smart low save to his right.
Darren Potter called the Blues keeper into action again two minutes into the second period when he capitalised on a slip by Bosnar to run through on goal, but his low shot from 18 yards was dealt with comfortably by Wright.
Bosnar then made an outstanding clearance to prevent Mellor getting on the end of Stephen Warnock's excellent left-wing centre, before Wright once again denied Mellor at his near post.
Liverpool were enjoying a good spell of pressure, but Everton hit back and on the hour Bosnar saw his curling free-kick narrowly clear Patrice Luzi's crossbar.
The Australian then produced a wonderful goalsaving tackle to deny Mark Smyth, who had been sent clear by Mellor. It was to prove an eventful few minutes for the big defender, as on 65 minutes he gave Goodison's second string the lead with a powerful low free-kick from 35 yards which nestled in the far corner of Luzi's net.
Mellor should have levelled the scores almost immediately, but misdirected his lob after running clear through the centre, and after that Everton comfortably held on to pick up all three points.
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