Under-21s beaten at the death in mini-derby

, 9 March, 13comments | Jump to most recent

Everton's second string went down 2-1 to Liverpool in Chester this evening thanks to a goal in injury time.

The first half was a closely contested affair, with Brannagan hitting the bar for the reds and Henen heading straight at he keeper shortly before the break. 0-0 at half time.

Russell Griffiths was the busier of the two ‘keepers, parrying a shot in the 55th minute and then watching Jack Dunn fire inches wide before a brief flare-up was sparked by Jordan Williams' late tackle on Francisco Junior.

Everton took the lead with 21 minutes to go when Ryan Ledson fired a beauty, first time, into the top corner. But the home side were level just four minutes later when Dan Cleary took advantage of poor defending to head home from close range.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes, Ledson's shot was blocked and Dowell forced a save by Vigouroux on the follow-up as the Blues pressed.

And the Liverpool 'keeper had to make an excellent stop to deny Henen from winning it in the dying minutes as the Belgian got in behind the Liverpool defence.

It was the home side who won it in the third minute of stoppage time, however, when Harry Wilson broke the Blues' hearts when he fired past Griffiths.

Everton U21s: Griffiths; Kenny, Connolly, Junior (Donohue 83'), Browning; Galloway, Jones, Walsh; Henen, Ledson, Green (Dowell 66').

Subs not used: Hunt, Langton, Bainbridge.

Reader Comments (13)

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Helen Mallon
1 Posted 09/03/2015 at 19:39:18

I would love to see Henen, Green and Browning get a run out in the coming first team games.

Mike Oates
2 Posted 09/03/2015 at 20:25:56

Too young, too inexperienced, Green has only played one 90 min game for U21's this season. the kids aren't ready

Lee Gorre
3 Posted 09/03/2015 at 20:34:26

Can't see any argument for including any of these players in the first team at the moment, what have they done to warrant it?

It's the manager who is the problem, not the players.

Helen Mallon
4 Posted 09/03/2015 at 21:08:57

Beg to differ Lee Gore, what have anyone of our players besides Stones, Garbut (when he has played) done so far this season? Absolutely nothing. So letting Green have a shot instead of Barkley or Henen getting 20 mins instead instead of Kone or Browning having a go at right back won't hurt anyone and they might surprise you.

Phill Thompson
5 Posted 09/03/2015 at 21:16:59

Sometimes bringing in a raw but exciting youngster can ignite a season, and we have had many examples dating back in my memory to Alan Whittle. Sadly those prospects who look closest to a first team appearance are defenders / defensive midfielders Â– Ledson, Kenny, Browning. Galloway.

Although they look talented they need to be nurtured not thrust into a struggling team. My hope is for a few of straight wins in the PL and give a few of them a chance when the pressure is off. Who knows we may get something productive out of our league games in the end.

Lee Gorre
6 Posted 09/03/2015 at 22:32:35

My point is, Helen, what have the players mentioned done to justify selection? You can't just say let's throw some young players in on the basis that they can't do worse. Because yes, they actually can.

We saw in the dead rubber Europa League game in December that almost all of those players weren't ready. We have good players, they don't become poor overnight but, the way I see it, the manager does not play them to their strengths.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 09/03/2015 at 23:32:37

Helen, sorry, Lee is right on this occasion; none of them are ready at the moment but, if we are safe before the end of the season, I would have no hesitation in putting JonJoe Kenny in for a couple of games from the bench and also Ryan Ledson.

DJ Staunton
8 Posted 10/03/2015 at 02:12:59

John Stones is a great player. Despite his age. Ledson looks a good un. Hopeful about this lad. Not sure about our other kids. Where our future is. Fucking Howard and Barry! My niece speaks fluent Spanish. Big Blue, too. Can Roberto speak any language?

Matt Traynor
9 Posted 10/03/2015 at 03:28:59

Lost to the RS to a last minute goal. At least they're getting useful training for the future.

Mark Andersson
10 Posted 10/03/2015 at 06:59:50

Matt, that almost made me laugh, but there wonÂ’t be any derby matches next season at this rate.

Helen you had a good point, but after reading the arguments against, I have to agree with the boys. Shame we are in this predicament in the first place.

Sam Hoare
12 Posted 10/03/2015 at 11:56:55

Just because a young team lost to Krasnodar does not mean that one or two of them are not ready to make an impact on the first team. It's different when your bedded in with a settled team full of pros to a whole bunch on youngsters getting their debuts together. Just look at how well Garbutt and to some extent Browning have done in moments this season.

I think the likes of Kenny, Galloway, Ledson and Henen could all be capable of contributing next season.

Eric Holland
13 Posted 10/03/2015 at 21:55:56

Agree Sam
If they look good enough give them a try, not all of them bed them in slowly and see how they perform at the higher level.
That is the only way to find out if they are good enough.

Norman Turner
14 Posted 11/03/2015 at 10:43:23

All of this discussion about whether the existing players have done enough to retain their places, and the youngsters have done enough to deserve the opportunity is fascinating.

Two names: Howard, Robles.It sort of renders the debate pointless when our manager has the attitude he does.

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