Reserves held goalless by Hereford

, 28 July, 9comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton's reserve team friendly at Hereford ended in a dull but energy-sapping goalless draw.

Very few chances of note arrived in a game short in imagination but drenched with perspiration.

Most of the players involved haven't had much football so far this summer so manager Alan Stubbs will have been pleased by the workout they were given by a big, strong Bulls team.

Jan Mucha was the senior member of a youthful side as the Slovakian international returned from injury to make his first pre-season appearance.

Francisco Junior got another run-out having been involved in the first-team matches so far this summer, and his quality was on show in the early stages as he shuttled the ball around with authority and sent a booming long-range volley over the bar.

It took about 15 minutes for the Blues to settle but once they did they enjoyed a decent spell and probably should have been in front.

After forcing a succession of corners and seeing Anton Forrester's penalty appeals ignored, Conor McAleny worked a yard in the box and passed a side-footed shot inches wide as he looked for the bottom corner.

Ross Barkley, John Lundstram and Forrester all unleashed from range but still an opener eluded the visitors, and five minutes before the interval they were grateful to Mucha as he smothered the ball following a goalmouth scramble.

Lundstram drilled in another low strike early in the second period but it was the hosts who stepped things up and Mucha had to make two more good saves.

Everton: Mucha, Browning, Garbutt, Junior, Hammar, Bidwell, Forrester (71' Long), Barkley, McAleny, Hope (77' Grant), Lundstram. Subs not Used: Taudul, Touray, Green.

Quotes or other material sourced from Evertonfc.com



Reader Comments (9)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 28/07/2012 at 19:31:33
Interesting that, despite suggestions first team players would appear, this was all current reserves. And I include both Junior and Barkley.

The next reserves game is the Liverpool Senior Cup Final against Tranmere Rovers, carried over from last season, set for 7:30 Kick-Off at Prenton Park. on Wednesday, when players from the senior squad are also 'expected' to appear...

Shane Corcoran
2 Posted 28/07/2012 at 20:06:07
Yes Michael, I'm surprised a few of the lads back from the Euros didn't get a run out considering the Java Cup issue. These boys are going to be lacking match practice big time come 20 August.
Phil Brown
3 Posted 28/07/2012 at 20:15:37
You might even wonder where were Vellios and Duffy?
Sam Hoare
4 Posted 28/07/2012 at 20:56:10
I know it's only pre season but it's disappointing that a team with some of most promising youngsters such as Barkley and Cisco were unable to turn over Hereford. Guess this is why they may not be quite ready for the first team...
Kevin Gillen
5 Posted 28/07/2012 at 21:57:34
Great to see such a team of aspiring youngsters being given a chance. I'm sure two or three of these can make it and provide us with a new generation of locally born and produced talent. Come on you blues!
Mark Jones
6 Posted 28/07/2012 at 22:04:45
I went today and we played well first half. McAleny was isolated upfront on his own and, apart from one good turn and shot by Conor, we never looked like scoring.

I was very impressed with Junior until he picked up a knock just before half time. Bidwell looked strong at centre back.

Like the first team, too many players were playing out of position: Hope and Forrester are forwards but played wide midfield; Bidwell a left back played centre back.

Ross Barkley sprayed the ball around well but should have done more against Conference players.

A good turn out of Blues, announced as 197 in a crowd of 1100. There were more Blues sitting with the home fans in the family stand.
Paul Gladwell
7 Posted 29/07/2012 at 08:29:27
Sam, you could say similar to why our first team could not overcome Motherwell.what are you expecting from Barkley?maybe we could say if it was not for him our first team would have been beaten at mighty Dundee.
I saw every second of his first team action last year and would have him ahead of Gueye everytime, I understand holding him back a bit but the lad is ready to be at least coming on as sub each week.
Steve Burgess
8 Posted 29/07/2012 at 17:51:34
I was at the game too.

Barkley saw a lot of the ball and was always looking to do something in terms of longer passes or pass and go but the overall team didn't offer a great deal. He was guilty of dwelling too much on the ball and was bustled off it frequently by conference standard midfielders.

Francisco Junior looked tidy and nippy and worked quite well with Barkley in central midfield.
Lundstram also stood out as being capable getting forward and reasonable shot. Hallam Hope buzzed around a the box a few times. Johan Hammar looked exceptionally slow and couldn't see him making the step up. Anton Forrester looked lightweight and was the only subbed player after about 65 mins.

All-in-all, a competent but lacklustre performance against very basic opposition. Stubb's comments on the OS seemed to concur with my own feeling that the lads weren't up for it.
Mick Davies
9 Posted 30/07/2012 at 00:50:12
With Alan Stubbs as reserve team coach, what do you expect?

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