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Under-18s out on penalties at Goodison Park
FA Youth Cup 4th Round: Everton 1 - 1 Southampton (aet)
Michael Donahue's late goal forced extra time but the Blues were denied in the shootout
Everton's U18s are out of the FA Youth Cup at the Fourth Round stage after losing 5-4 on penalties at Goodison Park.
The Young Blues were goalless at half time but had carved out almost all the chances and Callum Dyson rattled the woodwork just before the break.
They fell behind to Kyle Clinton's goal early in the second half but Michael Donohue fired home a late equaliser after Harry Charsley's shot was parried and that took the tie to extra time and then penalties.
Clinton missed first for the visitors but when Jordan Thornily and then Charsley saw their spot kicks saved, Joe Lea won it for the young Saints by converting past Hewelt.
Penalty shootout:
Ryan Ledson - scored, 1-0
Niall Mason - scored, 1-1
George Newell - scored, 2-1
Marcus Barnes - scored, 2-2
Callum Connolly - scored, 3-2
Kyle Clinton - saved, 3-2
Jordan Thornily - saved, 3-2
Will Wood - scored, 3-3
Jonjoe Kenny - scored, 4-3
Harley Willard - scored, 4-4
Harry Charsley - saved, 4-4
Joe Lea - scored, 4-5
Everton U18s: Hewelt, Kenny, Connolly, Graham, Thorniley (c), Ledson, Donohue, Williams (Newell 80'), Dyson (Brewster 82'), Walsh (Charsley 65'), Dowell.
Unused subs: O'Loughlin, Yates.
Match Preview
Coach Paul Tait had described it as a "sink or swim" moment for some of his players.
Southampton's youth academy has become one of the most admired in the country and Tait was under no illusions about how tough a test it would be for his charges.
He was hopeful, though, that some of the side's more experienced players like Ryan Ledson could help steady any of his teammates' nerves under the lights.
“The midfield battle is going to be really intriguing,” Tait told the Liverpool Echo. “We know a little bit about them and they have got some really good players in midfield but then, so do we.
“But on this occasion, a lot of it will be the mental challenge: playing at Goodison, in such a high-profile game, and so who handles that best will be real important factor.
“It is huge for their development (playing at Goodison). Sometimes in these sorts of games it is a sink-or-swim mentality. Some of the boys will freeze on the night and others will take to the challenge really well.
“It is up to us to help them boys who can't quite grasp it to start with and the other boys on the pitch who have been in that position before, the likes of your Ryan Ledson and Kieran Dowell who have a little bit of experience of playing at Goodison. They will be helping the boys along as well.
“Certainly Ryan because he's the England captain as well. The way he carries himself, he projects a great image. He's smashing lad, he's down to earth and he works really hard and I would say that some of the younger lads look up Ryan, definitely.”
Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo
Reader Comments (24)
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3 Posted 21/01/2015 at 17:22:30
Rog Bennett just did a documentary on it and they certainly seem to have their stuff together down there. What struck me particularly was their intent on being patient with some of the smaller players that many other clubs wouldn't touch but who had the potential to develop into more technically gifted individuals.
I think we've got the same approach; it's just a shame you have to wait so many years for the process to play out. It's a long-term strategy that needs constant nurturing.
4 Posted 21/01/2015 at 17:24:43
5 Posted 21/01/2015 at 19:14:51
6 Posted 21/01/2015 at 21:18:47
With young lads it's a case of praise loudly criticise softly so I'll say no more except hope they win in extra time.
8 Posted 21/01/2015 at 23:03:41
I really hope that there are some future stars learning their trade at youth level as the current status quo is all a bit doom and gloom.
I like that quote "praise loudly, criticise softly". IÂ’m sure Ross Barkley could do with that kind of support.
9 Posted 21/01/2015 at 23:35:02
10 Posted 22/01/2015 at 07:20:54
11 Posted 22/01/2015 at 08:50:45
You can see good players out there, they just seemed scared to be themselves. Kenny, Donohue and Connolly had good games but I doubt if any of them enjoyed playing.
Maybe it's football in general today; it seems to me there is not a lot of fun or enjoyment in either watching or playing a lot of football these days. This game was cheerless and lacking in hardly any entertainment, for me at least.
Maybe it's me and I'm a miserable old man; I really don't think it's that as I love football and I allow young lads lots of leeway and mistakes.
13 Posted 22/01/2015 at 09:29:07
I wonder how the ladies are doing?
14 Posted 22/01/2015 at 09:33:53
I can't get any info, video's of our U18s anymore this season on our site, it's as though all forms of communication other than Martinez have been suppressed... pathetic really, but maybe that's just me.
Since I live 300 miles away, I've always enjoyed watching any snippets of U18s & U21s but coverage is getting worse. We get more on Community issues now.
15 Posted 22/01/2015 at 09:37:42
16 Posted 22/01/2015 at 09:38:10
It is because we are actually quite good at community issues and not playing football.
17 Posted 22/01/2015 at 09:56:49
If we ever did win the cup, you'd wait until Monday morning before you heard about it on there.
18 Posted 22/01/2015 at 10:20:21
19 Posted 22/01/2015 at 10:37:52
After watching the U21 it seems the phenomenal tactical policy permeates every level of the Club. What has happened to Martinez's mantra of letting young players go out express and enjoy their football?
20 Posted 22/01/2015 at 11:04:38
And I don't put the blame on Ross – I put squarely on the shoulders of RM.
21 Posted 22/01/2015 at 15:09:46
22 Posted 22/01/2015 at 22:15:48
23 Posted 22/01/2015 at 22:27:44
24 Posted 23/01/2015 at 09:16:10
25 Posted 23/01/2015 at 10:07:05
26 Posted 23/01/2015 at 10:14:15
27 Posted 23/01/2015 at 11:10:59
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1 Posted 21/01/2015 at 16:49:46
Does anyone know, for reference, how many of the Southampton sales to Â’biggerÂ’ teams in the last few years have been players who have come all the way through their academy? (As opposed to foreign imports snapped up while they were young?)