U23s beaten by Southport

, 31 July, 8comments | Jump to most recent

Everton's U23s men suffered their first pre-season friendly defeat when they went down 3-1 to Southport this afternoon.

David Unsworth's side held a lead thanks to Nathan Holland's 13th minute strike but goals by Josh Thompson and Neil Ashton put the hosts 2-1 up going into the break.

While Unsworth made a number of second-half changes to give minutes to the likes of Luke Garbutt, Harry Charsley and Conor McAleny, James Gray added a third for Southport to round out the scoring.

Everton U23s: Gray (Griffiths 46), Jones, Robinson (Garbutt 46), Walsh, Feeney (Yarney 78), Foulds, Holland (Donohue 57), Ledson (Broadhead 72), Duffus (Dyson 57), Evans (McAleny 46), Henen (Charsley 46).

Reader Comments (8)

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John Austin
1 Posted 31/07/2016 at 19:38:16

I went to the game. My first time to watch the Under 23s. We conceded all 3 goals from crosses - 2 from corners and 1 from a direct free kick near the touch line which beat the keeper. We had 2 decent looking centre backs on the ball (Feeney and Foulds) but nobody attacked the ball when put in the box. Two keepers used and neither looked confident in the air. Is this a bug that's running through the whole club? Martinez seems to have been successful in getting all levels playing the same way - unfortunately!

Impressed with Jones at right back who is a Coleman clone going forward. Some useful looking ball players throughout the side but on today's performance, they are light years away from the first team. Admittedly a number were missing due to Dresden but still a disappointing performance nonetheless.

Brent Stephens
2 Posted 31/07/2016 at 19:45:08

John, I looked at the EFC website (fixtures) only a day or two ago and no mention of this game! It's now reported with the result under the U21s! Bastards, I would have gone being local!

How did little Liam Walsh play? A bit of a favourite of mine.

John Austin
3 Posted 31/07/2016 at 20:46:00

You didn't miss much Brent. I saw the fixture on Friday when looking on the Southport FC website. Just moved in to the area and was interested in popping along to watch a game – any game; delighted when I saw the Blues were the visitors.

Walsh did okay, particularly in the first half. Busy and very good on the ball. I can see he has ability but Southport were physically stronger than us overall and it affected him and many others. Hope they play there again during the season.

Brent Stephens
4 Posted 31/07/2016 at 20:58:33

Cheers, John. Might see you at the next Southport game.

John Austin
6 Posted 31/07/2016 at 23:39:41

Brent. Just checked the Southport and Everton fixture lists for August/September and the home games clash quite a bit. Sod's law as they say.

Brent Stephens
7 Posted 01/08/2016 at 11:16:17

Sorry, John, I meant the next Everton U23 game at Southport. I'm afraid I haven't got the stomach to try to watch Southport themselves!

Gary Edwards
8 Posted 01/08/2016 at 14:38:36

Last season, the U21s played several games at Southport, usually on a Monday night.

John Austin
9 Posted 01/08/2016 at 14:44:49

Understand, Brent. I quite enjoy watching that level of football. Sometimes better than the overpaid so called stars in the Premier League!

Thanks, Gary. I know they are building additional facilities at Finch Farm and there was talk of the Under-23s playing there at some point. I'll keep an eye on the website.

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