A FINE performance by Everton under-18s saw them secure all three points as they won 3-2 at Newcastle on Saturday.
Neil Dewsnip’s side are in a rich vein of form in the FA Premier Academy League having registered two wins and a draw from their last three matches.
Everton took the lead on 22 minutes through an excellent run and shot across the keeper by Adam Forshaw. But five minutes later Newcastle were level following a Nile Ranger free-kick which deflected off the wall straight to Michael McCrudden, who fired home.
Newcastle hit the bar through Ranger before the break, but Everton went ahead again two minutes after the restart when Lewis Codling was brought down in the box. The striker got up to convert the spot-kick himself. Soon after, the visitors increased their advantage with a superb 25-yard effort from Gerard Kinsella. But just as it looked they would run riot, Shane Duffy gave away a penalty to allow Newcastle to reduce the arrears. Despite goalkeeper Adam Davies saving Ranger’s initial effort the Newcastle striker followed up to score from the rebound.
Both sides contined to attack with Codling going close for Everton, but in the end 3-2 was enough.
Coach Dewsnip said: “I was delighted with the performance. It is as well as we have played all year.
“Our team is a new one compared to the start of the season so it has taken a bit of time for the transition to take place. It looks as though we are getting there and it is encouraging not only for the rest of the season, but also next year.”
Everton look to build on last week’s victory at Leeds United this Saturday (kick-off 11am).
Lee McArdle is still out with a knee injury and is Everton’s only injury worry.
