Tranmere Rovers 1 – 3 Everton U21s
Everton U21s made the short trip across the Mersey to Prenton Park for tonight’s EFL Trophy clash against the League Two side, where they went behind early until the last 8 minutes, when they finally scored 3 goals.
It’s the first of three games in Northern Group A, with Stockport County and Accrington Stanley providing the other competition for a place in the last 16.
First-teamers Jesper Lindstrøm, Beto and Joao Virginia have all been given starting places in the U21s team to add minutes to their pre-season preparations with Sean Dyche watching on from the stands.
Josh Davison put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes, converting a cut-back from near the byline.
Everton had numerous chances that were spurned until the 86th minute when Beto finally managed to convert one, equalizing to set up a penalty shootout.
Martin Sherif pounced on a loose ball, fired onto the post and rebounding across the face of the Tranmere goal.
But Lindstrom then played in Beto, where he seemed to have gone too wide but he turned and fired into the far side of the goal for the winner in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
But Everton weren’t done yet, with Beto driving through for Martin Sherif to convert on the line, giving the Young Blues a fine win in the end when it looked for a long period like they would never score.
Everton U21s: Virginia, Dixon, Tamen, Welch, Campbell (65′ Butler),
Lindstrøm, Armstrong (79′ Butterfield), Metcalfe, Whitaker [Y:54′] (65′ Sherif), Beto, Okoronkwo (78′ Benjamin).
Subs not Used: G Pickford, Heath, Bates.