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Another hat-trick for U18s' Ellis Simms
Young Blues now up to 3rd in the table
Ellis Simms grabbed his second hat-trick in the Black Country inside seven days as Everton Under-18s secured a 3-2 victory at Wolves in U18 Premier League (North).Fresh from his treble in the young Blues' 3-1 success at West Brom last weekend, the striker was razor sharp in front of goal again at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground as Paul Tait's side moved up to third in the table while introducing two young players to this level: Tyler Onyango and Rafael Garcia.
Everton went behind on five minutes before Simms levelled the score midway through the first half. The Under-18s' top scorer then put the visitors in front just before the hour mark after being teed up by Kyle John, only for Wolves' Taylor Perry to make it 2-2 seconds later.
But Everton - and that man Simms - had the final say on 69 minutes as the forward fired home the winner to secure three points for the young Blues.
Everton U18s: Tyrer, John (62' Zuk), Collins, Joe Anderson, McKeown, Hughes, Adedoyin (81' Onyango), Quirk, Simms, Dobbin (90' Garcia), Hunt.
Subss not Used: Barrett, Hosie

Reader Comments (17)
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2 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:07:01
But look at that list in a bit more detail and you'll see he has struggled just against U23 opposition. They tried him at the higher level in four successive games back in December and it signalled a whole month without him scoring.
But you could be right! You never know!! How do you know if you don't try!!! (I guess at Finch Farm they would say "Well, that's why we have professionals running the Club!"
3 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:12:32
The names that intrigue and hopefully eventually excite me are the newcomers. Lewis Dobbin has played a few times now, Schoolboy and England u16 player. Tyler Onyango is another Schoolboy who's signed Scholarship forms, a tall defensive midfielder with Fellaini type hair.
And the most intriguing of the lot, Rafa Garcia, our mystery man. We got him from Fulham last year but never seemed to announce him, not even in the Scholars list and this is only his second appearance, maybe he's been injured. He's a highly rated midfielder who's played for England U15/U16 but otherwise a total mystery to me!
4 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:31:06
There are many tricks of the trade at the top level which thankfully Calvert-Lewin is now learning but Simms is comparatively a babe in arms and we need to remember that.
5 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:33:47
Simms was obviously keeping his powder dry until Silva comes calling... Lol!!
Anyway, at least two of these Under-18s or Under-23s are or will be good enough for our cosy mid-table believers!!!
6 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:38:52
7 Posted 24/03/2019 at 14:54:44
Then and now is a good time to put the odd youngster on the subs bench.
Would be great for them, their confidence and their families just to experience the occasion.
8 Posted 24/03/2019 at 16:03:11
9 Posted 24/03/2019 at 16:21:57
Let him break all scoring records for the U18's then play in a newer looking U23 side next season alongside some familiar faces who will also step up.
10 Posted 24/03/2019 at 17:06:51
Remember when Rashford came in at utd, nobody, not even those at the club, thought he'd step up so swiftly.
Maybe Simms could do it, I can't see any harm in throwing him on for 20-30.mins in our run in surely a better option than Tosun.
A promotion into the first team could give him a rush of confidence that lets his natural ability fly.
11 Posted 24/03/2019 at 17:26:32
12 Posted 24/03/2019 at 19:22:04
The answer includes a lot of pace, power and strength. He's bigger and faster than other U18s. So, when he stepped up to U23, he seemed to struggle with not being able to bully the centrebacks. I think he'd struggle against Premier League centre-backs.
He can make it, and I think he is extremely promising. He just needs time. He needs to develop more elements of his game. He isn't just about the pace and power. He does have good technique and positioning and he has exceptional finishing. I'd let him finish this season with the U18s and then see how he goes in the U23s next season. Then start the campaign to get him in the first team if he takes his form up a level.
13 Posted 25/03/2019 at 04:48:40
14 Posted 25/03/2019 at 09:57:53
A quick look at the ToffeeWeb stats shows Broadhead scoring 8 in 27 appearances, Sambou 11/29 and Hornby 4/18. Our U23s are not renowned for scoring lots of goals, so maybe 3in 8 for Simms is not so bad after all .
He certainly struggled a bit to exert the same physicality and make an impact at U23s, but I'm thinking I've judged him harshly, scoring 3 goals is right up there with Hornby, better on a mins/goal ratio, and if he can do that while not playing that well for me suggests he should be given more U23s time this season. Although there are not many games left now and all are important re winning the league and PL2 cup.
15 Posted 25/03/2019 at 11:21:02
16 Posted 26/03/2019 at 08:01:59
17 Posted 27/03/2019 at 19:43:06
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1 Posted 24/03/2019 at 12:26:34
The likes of Walcott and Tosun draining a living with no return, so why not? No bullshit about sending him out on loan, we don't have that luxury.