Everton v Norwich City

, 4 April, 7comments  |  Jump to most recent
FA Youth Cup Quarterfinal
Everton Under-18s take on Norwich City's youth team in a big quarter-final clash that will take place at Goodison Park on Friday evening. Coach Kevin Sheedy has been putting his young charges through their paces as they prepare for the crunch tie in pursuit of a trophy last won by Everton back in 1998.

Sheedy has a full-strength squad to select from including players such as goal heroes Matthew Pennington, Chris Long, Conor Grant and Harry Charsley against Arsenal in the last round, along with hot-shot George Waring... Also, Matthew Kennedy, who has played for Alan Stubbs's Under-21s as well as appearing on the bench for David Moyes's first team this season.

Sheedy tells Gregg O'Keefe in the Echo: “Touch wood we've got everyone bar one or two fit and raring to go. There's a lot of healthy competition for places which is just how you want it for such a big game which could play a pivotal part in our season.

“Hopefully whatever team we select will have the right attitude and we'll have a strong bench too, no doubt about that.”

Sheedy admitted he has done his homework on The Canaries, alongside fellow academy coach Duncan Ferguson.

“Me and Duncan went to watch Norwich in the last round when they beat Birmingham in extra time. We'd also watched a video of their previous game against Milwall so as to prepare thoroughly.

“We'll show the boys some clips highlighting Norwich's strengths and weaknesses before the game but the most important thing on the night is going to be what we do when we have the ball.

“We won't underestimate the opposition — that's for sure. They're a good side with two wingers who can cause any team problems so we'll have to watch them and be careful. But we've got our own good players and we will let them worry about us and be positive about it from the outset because we're a good side.”

The quarter-final tie kicks-off at 7pm. Fans can gain entry for £3 (adults) or £1 (over 65s/under 16s). Entry is via the Bullens Road and is cash only on the turnstile.

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (7)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 04/04/2013 at 17:04:15
Go get em, youngsters!
Karl Caslin
2 Posted 04/04/2013 at 21:01:21
Might be wrong but I'm slightly worried about the lack of progress by George Green.

He was supposed to be next big thing when we signed him; he is now 17 yet I noticed the other week he was only on the bench for our Under-18s.

Surely a really good prospect at that age would be pushing for a place on our bench; if not, he would surely be in the Under-21 team.

Paul Hardcastle
3 Posted 05/04/2013 at 15:45:23
I've got to agree with you, Karl. He seems to be fading away rather than progressing.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
4 Posted 05/04/2013 at 15:46:03
Here's a nice piece from ex-Blue Neil Adams:

Norwich City Under-18s coach Neil Adams pits his wits against one of his former Everton team-mates in tonight’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park (7pm).

The Toffees’ academy side is coached by former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Sheedy, with whom fellow winger Adams spent three years on Merseyside.

“We were team-mates during some very good times at Everton in that championship-winning side of 1987,” he recalled.

“He is a good friend of mine. He was diagnosed with cancer last year but is now hopefully in remission. We’ve kept in touch, I’ve seen him through coaching this season and he’s a good lad – but we’ll be looking to put one over each other.”

Everton have a head start, having already registered 4-2 and 3-0 wins over the Canaries in the FA Premier Academy League this season. They knocked out Arsenal to reach the last eight.

“Everton are a good side. We’ve played them twice this year and they were better than us on both occasions,” said Adams.

“They are strong from one to 11 but we have done our homework on them and we are a good side too and they know that when we play well, they will have cause to worry about us.

“It will be two good sides who like to play football.

“We have been in very good form since the turn of the year and had a brilliant win at Newcastle on Saturday.”


There is an added bonus for tonight’s winners, who will visit Nottingham Forest in the semi-final first leg next Wednesday, in that ITV4 will have live coverage of both legs of the semis.

“It’s fantastic that these games will get a national audience and good that the TV companies are showing an interest,” said Adams. “That’s another incentive for these lads – they can all be TV stars.

“We regard the FA Youth Cup as our biggest games of the season. We know from playing at Carrow Road, even if there are not many in the ground, it’s a big occasion and there will be nerves and apprehension. Some nerves are a good thing, a bit of a flutter in the belly, but the key is not to let it affect our performance.

“They’re really looking forward to it. It will be the biggest game most of them have ever played but we’ve prepared well and they’re looking sharp and lively.

“We have a full squad to pick from. Harry Barker has played two or three games now and has recovered from his broken foot.”

Much of the attention has been on City’s 18-year-old Murphy twins, Josh and Jacob, who have played for England Under-18s and Under-19s this season and been awarded professional contracts to 2015.

“They deserve all the plaudits that have come their way, and their contracts, and the rest of the team are pleased for them. There is no animosity or jealousy,” said Adams.

Source: Norwich Everning News.
Stu Smith
5 Posted 05/04/2013 at 16:18:24
George Green (I think) will be a late bloomer. From what I've been told, he is quite a slight player and is steadily bulking up. Whereas Wayne was a stocky well built lad and coped early on, I think George will probably be ready a bit later on, say 19/20.
Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 05/04/2013 at 18:40:14
Team for Tonight:

Everton U18s: Springthorpe; Pennington, Touray, Kenny, Langton; Molyneux (c), Kennedy, Charsley; Waring, Long, Grant.

Subs: Griffiths, Johns, Jones, Duffus, Ledson.

Haydn Milloy
8 Posted 24/05/2013 at 00:29:04
If you are worried about how George Green is progressing, go to finch farm and watch the Under-18s and Under-21s play. I have been to a number of games at the training ground and when the kid Green is on the ball it’s like watching Messi, the ball sticks to his feet like glue and he can turn on a sixpence.

Go on the Everton site and look at how he turns in the box and shoots clipping the post in the Under 18s game against villa a few weeks ago, and when you see him live, the way he keeps the ball and goes past players is mind blowing.

I think they need to start playing him in the reserves next season to bring him on more, it’s like a kid who’s way ahead of others in his class he needs to move to higher education to move forward and it’s the same with this lad.

Or maybe they are holding him back because of the further fees they need to pay Bradford if he makes more appearances, but I really like the look of this kid, he is small but so is Messi.


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