U23s begin EFL Trophy with victory at Bolton

, 30 August, 11comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-23s' first involvement in the Checkatrade Trophy was at Bolton's Macron Stadium this evening where David Unsworth's young side won 2-0.

After a bright opening, Everton took the lead through Calum Dyson who fired home from long ranger in the 23rd minute.

Then, in the second half, substitute Conor McAleny doubled the lead with a header 12 minutes from time.

It's the first time the club's second string have played in the revamped EFL Tropy, formerly the Johnstone Paint Trophy, but international commitments forced the Blues to field a younger side than was planned after they failed in their attempts to have the match rescheduled.

“We've got 10 of the lads away on international duty and six others looking as though they'll miss out through injury,” Unsworth explained ahead of the match.

“We're really disappointed that so many of our eligible players will miss the opportunity to play in the game because it's a competition that we're all really excited about entering this season. It's not ideal and we did speak to the EFL to explain the situation and explore the possibility of rescheduling the fixture. That wasn't possible and we understand the League's position."

Everton: Hewelt, Foulds, Yates (Brewster 83'), Yarney, Bainbridge, Baningime, Walsh, Robinson, Henen (McAleny 62'), Dyson, Sambou (Broadhead 62')
Sub not used: Gray

Reader Comments (11)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 30/08/2016 at 20:40:21

McAleney just made it 2-0

Michael Ward
2 Posted 30/08/2016 at 20:49:56

Isn't the EFL trophy the new name for the League Cup (the competition we beat Yeovil in the other day)? I thought the Johnstone Paint Trophy was now called the Checkatrade Cup or something.

David Chait
3 Posted 30/08/2016 at 20:52:43

Good to see Brewster is back... For now.

Brent Stephens
4 Posted 30/08/2016 at 20:59:11

Michael, I think Yeovil was in the EFL Cup not Trophy.

Barry McNally
5 Posted 30/08/2016 at 21:01:58

Michael, The League Cup is now called the EFL Cup or Football League Cup, third behind FA Cup. The JPT / EFL Trophy is now the Checkatrade Trophy, easy as ABC!

Michael Ward
6 Posted 30/08/2016 at 21:02:05

Ah, thanks Brent

John Dean
7 Posted 30/08/2016 at 22:44:15

Bolton played most of the team that started for them in League One at the weekend and they can have no complaints as they were deservedly beaten by Everton's young blues. And it wasn't a case of sitting back and hoping to snatch a goal on a break; we took control of the ball for large parts of the first half and looked the more likely to score.

And we did when Calum Dyson, from distance, blasted a right-footed drive into the top corner. The second arrived in the second-half when Conor McAleny maintained his good striking rate by heading home from Liam Walsh's perfect corner.

While nearly all the boys played well, the two stand-out performers for me were Liam Walsh who provided energy and class all over the park and Matty Foulds who commanded the back three and who just seems to make the right decision every time.

Paul Thompson
8 Posted 30/08/2016 at 23:19:34

Thanks for the report John. Were there many blues there?

Dave Williams
9 Posted 30/08/2016 at 23:25:37

Why the comment about Brewster " back for now"??
Is there a problem with him?

John Dean
10 Posted 30/08/2016 at 23:31:54

About 150 of us had the freedom of one end so we were well scattered about. I like the ground and the seats are roomy enough for me and my gammy leg.

Supporter of the night goes to a dad who brought his partner and their 5 year old son and 12 month old daughter to the match and they stayed the distance although the little girl took some entertaining by the end.

Duncan Ferguson spoke to me on the way in; he just asked if I knew where the Main Entrance was – but that was enough.

Julian Wait
11 Posted 31/08/2016 at 15:24:18

Not bad, beating a bunch of senior pros doing well in League One.

From Everton website, worth a quick read, shows promise:

Link

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