Everton U21s 2 – 1 Watford U21s
Everton U21s left it very late after falling behind to Watford U21s this evening in their Premier League Cup Group F encounter at Walton Hall Park, to score two goals right at the end.
The competition has been expanded to 36 teams this season, with nine groups of four teams each playing the other group members home and away to determine who progresses to the Round of 16. Fulham U21s are the cup holders, with Everton U21s having played in the Premier League International Cup last season.
Roman Dixon and Harrison Armstrong not playing in this one, and no doubt important members of the senior squad for tomorrow’s game at Aston Villa. A lot of other familiar names now missing — Welch, Campbell, Metcalfe, Tyrer, Leban, Onyango, Okoronkwo, Crellin — all out on loan, with Halid Djankpata, Liam Higgins, and Matthew Mallon having departed this parish. While a number of young names have been elevated from the Under-18s.
There were few chances created by either side in a goalless first half. Omari Benjamin came on at the break and came closest to scoring when his shot smashed off the face of the Watford bar.
But the visitors went ahead when Pickford was beaten on the hour mark. But it looked like Everton had to score after great work by Catesby who crossed for Benjamin screaming in on goal but a defender somehow got the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score.
And on a subsequent corner, Harvey Foster tucked the ball home at the far post to equalize in the last minute.
And to cap things off, after excellent work from Omari Benjamin, Jacob Beaumont-Clark skipped around the goalkeeper and blasted the ball into the roof of the Watford net to win the game in the last minute of stoppage time for a fine Blues victory!
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Finney [Y:], Van Schoor (72′ Butler), O Samuels-Smith, Tierney, Thomas [Y:], Beaumont-Clark, J Patterson, Sherif (46′ Benjamin), Bates (63′ Foster), Barker (63′ Catesby).
Subs not Used: Lukjanciks.