U18s pipped by Real Madrid

Michael Kenrick , 5 September, 6comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-18s were desperately unfortunate to emerge from their opening Premier League Champions Cup encounter with Real Madrid empty-handed, using all of the small 13-man squad available.

The young Blues were entered into the six-team tournament and pitted in a group alongside the Spanish giants and hosts Tottenham. West Ham, Liverpool and Benfica make up the participants.

Despite controlling the hour-long contest on Friday morning, it was a rare attempt from Madrid that provided the only goal in the second half. Everton looked strong and alert against the youth squad of the European champions and foraged the best opportunities.

Everton U18s (v Real Madrid): Hewelt; Yates, Birch, Thorniley, Edge (50' Mellen); Davies, Bainbridge, Holland; Brewster, Dyson (45' Broadhead), Newell.

Kicking off just two hours after the Blues' opener against Real Madrid, a tired and depleted squad of just 13 players faced a fully-fresh Spurs side.

And Kevin Sheedy's men showed signs of fatigue from their unfortunate 1-0 defeat to the Spaniards, finding themselves 4-0 down at the interval.

Nathan Broadhead pulled one back midway through the second half as he rose highest to nod home, but the Londoners would grab another in the closing stages.

More at EvertonFC.com

Reader Comments (6)

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David Chait
1 Posted 05/09/2014 at 14:58:01

Pity.... this was the story of the trip in South Africa too where they dominated Feyenoord but lost. I hope they keep their chins up and get some results they deserve.

Tommy Davis
2 Posted 05/09/2014 at 15:44:59

Sounds very much like they dominated the game, so well in lads keep it up, but what concerns me: why only a 13-player squad? I fear this can only lead to a hiding from one of the other teams, it's ridiculous to have such a small squad, I just don't get it?!?

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 05/09/2014 at 15:54:27

Hey Tommy,

Seems they were seriously depleted by injuries and international commitments, but I agree... ridiculous. However, they were no doubt committed to participate, and must have obviously struggled to make the numbers within the age limit.

How many of the 45 Under 21s listed elsewhere are in fact Under 18, I wonder?

John OBrien
4 Posted 05/09/2014 at 16:42:44

Some of the stronger U18s in particular Kieran Dowell and to a lesser extent Liam Walsh have not been included in the squad as they have been training with the first team quite a bit in the last few weeks.

I think the idea is to push these lads on and it would be regressive to bring them back for U18 tournament.

The aim of the academy is solely to produce players for the first team and not to necessarily win tournaments.

Alan Humphreys
5 Posted 05/09/2014 at 17:22:42

Could we not have padded the squad out with younger lads then?

Tommy Davis
6 Posted 05/09/2014 at 18:59:12

Thanks Michael K, at least that makes a little more sense to it now & I agree, once they committed to playing in the tournament, they decided to go forward, although extremely depleted!

It's a shame no matter what.............oh dear, just now read that Spurs beat our boys 5-1 and are now out of it..............poor lads, I really feel for them!

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