[History of Everton Reserves]
Everton's Under-23s largely represent the end product of the renowned Everton Academy at Finch Farm which has produced a number of players now on the threshold of breaking into the Blues' first team. As of 2016, they play in the FA Premier League 2 as one of 12 teams in Division 1.
As well as the U23s competing in the Premier League Cup and the Premier League International Cup, Everton are also one of the Premier League Development sides that enter U21 teams into the Leasing.com (ne EFL) Trophy alongside the senior sides from Football League One and League Two.
Everton Under-23s played all their home matches at the newly renamed 'Pure' Stadium at Haig Avenue in Southport behind closed doors this season due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Everton's games in the 2020-21 Liverpool Senior Cup and Lancashire Senior Cup were contested by the Under-18s, together with the FA Youth Cup too.
F denotes Friendly fixture TF denotes Friendly tournament fixture XI denotes Friendly fixture involving an Everton XI (not necessarily the first team)PL2 denotes Premier League 2 fixtures PLC denotes Premier League Cup fixturesPLIC denotes Premier League International Cup fixturesLT denotes EFL Trophy fixtures
FA PREMIER LEAGUE 2, Division 1, 2020-21
The section below contains team details, scorers, and brief match reports for Everton Under-23 matches during the 2020-21 Season.
Starting in 2017-18, the U21 Premier League (which itself replaced the old Reserves league that stretched back to an age that pre-dated the formation of the Football League in 1888) was renamed Premier League 2 formed of 24 Category 1 Development teams from top-tier Premier League and Championship clubs. It operates on the same two-division format of 12 teams each but the age limit was raised to 23.
Each team can field a goalkeeper over the age limit and up to three ‘over-age’ outfield players in every match.
Clubs play each other once at home and once away, with the top team in Division 1 named as Champions. The bottom two teams in Division 1 get relegated to Division 2. In Division 2, the league winners get automatic promotion to Division 1; teams ranked 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th go into a promotion play-off. There is no relegation from Division 2.
The Average Age of PL2 squads in season 2020-21, as listed at Transfermarkt were:
Premier League 2; Game #1 Saturday 12 September 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
David Unsworth's Under-23s side kicked-off their PL2 campaign today with a visit down the road to the Liverpool Academy that did not turn out to his liking.
The selected squad may contain pointers for Carlo Ancelotti's plan on the first-team traveling to London for the afternoon's big game in the Premier League, with Branthwaite, Kenny, Gibson and Nkounkou among those staking a claim for senior consideration, none of them in Unsworth's squad.
The game kicked off at 1 pm but Everton went behind to an early goal that was the only one of the game. Slack defending allowed Liverpool too much space inside the box to put the Reds ahead inside the first minute.
Everton pushed forwards after that goal, but just couldn't find the breakthrough. The Reds goalkeeper was forced into saves from Ellis Simms, Dennis Adeniran and Nathan Broadhead as the match progressed but it was clear the young Blues were not playing at their best.
Playing a derby in the first match of the season is always tough of course, but a strong side was chosen for this clash. Josh Bowler was out on loan in the Championship last season, Callum Connolly was away playing first team football as was Nathan Broadhead.
Add that to goalscoring machine Simms up front, the experience of Beni Baningime and the influential Dennis Adeniran and Unsworth later admitted this was a side that could and should play a lot better than they did.
"We under-performed and we've got to be honest and I think you've got to be honest with young players. The team we had out, we expected to win the game and expected to play in a certain way. We're expecting them to work as hard as they could and a lot of them let us down.
"Sometimes you've got to be brutally honest like that because it's the shock that they need. If they think they can turn up against any Liverpool team at any age group and just win a game, no matter who we have out, football doesn't work like that.
"Liverpool were there for the taking, we had numerous chances, but we didn't work hard enough, it's as simple as that."
Everton U23s: Tyrer, John, Connolly, Iversen (68' Hughes), Ouzounidis, Astley, Bowler, Baningime, Broadhead, Simms [Y], Adeniran. Subs not Used: Leban, Anderson, Higgins, Price.
Premier League 2; Game #2 Monday 21 September 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
David Unsworth's Under-23s side took on the Leicester City at Southport FC's Pure Stadium at 7 pm on Monday evening following a Merseyside derby defeat in their opening game of the season last weekend.
The visitors started the season an impressive 2-0 win at Manchester United that has put them at the top of the embryonic PL2 table.
It took a long time for Everton to take control after a goalless first half with early substitutions disrupting the Blues rhythm but Connolly finally broke the deadlock with a fine header on the hour mark.
Goals for Simms and then Bowler sealed a fine Blues win over the early PL2 leaders.
Everton U23s: Tyrer; Connolly [Y:67'], Astley [Y:26'], Ouzounidis, John (10' Iversen); Baningime, Adeniran, Onyango (88' Quirk); Bowler, Simms, Broadhead (15' Hughes). Subs not Used: Hansen, Anderson.
Premier League 2; Game #3 Monday 28 September 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton's Under-23s enjoyed a comprehensive victory at the Merseyrail Community Stadium in Southport as they beat Derby County 4-1.
David Unsworth's side took the lead after just 11 minutes when Einar Iversen set up Ellis Simms and the striker strode in on goal and finished confidently. Josh Bowler then rattled the post with a shot after 17 minutes.
Joe Anderson doubled the home side's lead early in the second half when he collected the ball on the edge of the box following a corner and drilled it home.
Derby pulled themselves back into the contest shortly before the hour mark when Tyree Wilson curled a free-kick into the top corner of Harry Tyrer's goal but Bowler ensured that the two-goal cushion was restored seven minutes later. The winger drove into the box and placed his shot past Ravas in the Derby goal to make it 3-1.
Three became four with four minutes to go when Astley played Simms in for his second and he made no mistake while Matthew Pennington almost made it 5-1 late on but his header came back off the crossbar.
Everton: Tyrer, Pennington, Anderson, Baningime, Ouzounidis, Astley, Bowler, Iversen (87' Cannon), Simms, Connolly, Hughes (61' Onyango) Subs not Used: Quirk, Hansen, Carroll
Premier League 2; Game #4 Sunday 4 October 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton had earlier equalised through striker Ellis Simms — his fourth goal in four Premier League 2 games this season — after City had taken an early lead.
The equaliser came midway through the first half when Simms took advantage of some indecision to prod the ball into an unguarded net.
Everton had a goal disallowed on the half-hour, Ryan Astley won a header from a corner and Matthew PWith less than 20 seconds to go, Joe Anderson fouled McAtee inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Doyle stroked home the winner.
Everton U-23s: Tyrer, Pennington, Connolly, Baningime, Ouzounidis, Astley, Hughes [Y] (74' Hunt), Onyango, Simms, Iversen, Anderson [Y]. Subs: Hansen, Quirk, Carroll, Cannon.
Premier League 2; Game #5 Monday 19 October 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U23s were held to a scoreless draw by Spurs in Southport on Monday evening, with 5 players shown yellow cards.
New signing Imam Jagne came on at half-time for his Everton debut. First games at this level for Mackenzie Hunt and Thierry Small
Everton U23s: Virginia, Pennington, Anderson [Y:15'] (67' Small), Baningime [Y:85'], Ouzounidis, Astley, Hunt [Y:23'] (46' Jagne [Y:60']), Onyango [Y:63'], Simms, Iversen, Hughes. Subs: Tyrer, Quirk, Cannon.
Premier League 2; Game #6 Friday 23 October 2020 Leigh Sports Ground
Manchester United U23s defeated their Everton counterparts with a late penalty to condemn Unsworth's side to a third successive defeat.
The Blues led through another goal from Ellis Simms on the hour but were pegged back 14 minutes later.
Everton defended resolutely at Leigh Sports Village but their resistance was broken from the spot in the 96th minute.
Premier League 2; Game #7 Sunday 8 November 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton Under-23s defeated last season's PL2 Champions Chelsea 2-0 in their game at Southport on Sunday.
Jarrad Branthwaite made his return to action after recovering from an ankle injury that put him out for the last 6 weeks but it was not until the second half the Ellis Simms broke the deadlock when he pounced on a loose ball 6 yards from goal. Nathan Broadhead created the chance with a surging run, and when the ball rolled loose, Simms was well placed to clinically poke home.
Anthony Gordon created the second when he seized possession inside his own half, breezed forward and then showed composed quality to feed Tyler Onyango for his first goal of the season.
Everton U23s: Virginia [Y:16'], Pennington, Nkounkou [Y:61'], Branthwaite, Astley, Iversen (90+4' Jagne), Baningime [Y:27'], Onyango [Y:65'], Simms, Broadhead (84' Quirk), Gordon. Subs not Used: Tryer, Ouzounidis, Hughes.
Premier League 2; Game #8 Friday 20 November 2020 Emirates Stadium, London
Everton U23s lost to Arsenal by a single goal at the Emirates Stadium in an early afternoon Premier League 2 game on Friday.
David Unsworth put out pretty much his preferred first 11 but they fell behind on 10 minutes. Arsenal found a chink in the Everton defence and Smith Rowe found the net.
The rest of the half was fairly even with chances at both ends but neither side able to change the scoreline.
An Arsenal player, Flo Balogun, was sent off mid-way through the second half when he received a second yellow card (for diving). His first had been for showing dissent, throwing the ball away. Rhys Hughes came on for Everton soon after, in place of Con Ouzounidis.
Everton created chances but could not convert any of them.
Everton U23s: Tryer, Ouzounidis (68' Hughes), Pennington, Astley, Baningime, Onyango, Anderson [Y:41'], Iversen, Quirk [Y:67'] (78' Cannon), Broadhead, Simms. Subs not Used: Hansen, Hunt, Jagne.
Premier League 2; Game #9 Friday 27 November 2020 Leyland
The home side struck first, a few minutes before half-time when Harry Chapman delivered a good ball across goal and Brad Lyons volleyed home first time.
Everton made some changes just past the hour mark and, with 6 minutes to go, a dreadful mix-up in the home defence allowed Tyler Onyango to tie the game with a simple tap-in.
Everton U23s: Tyrer; Pennington [Y:47'], Astley, Branthwaite, Small; Baningime, Onyango [Y:8'], Iversen (62' Hughes); Kouyate (63' Jagne), Simms, Broadhead.Subs not Used: Hansen, Ouzounidis, Anderson.
Premier League 2; Game #10 Monday 14 December 2020 Haig Avenue, Southport
A couple of somewhat scrappy goals from Small and Simms gave Everton the early advantage but the early lead was answered in fine style with a wonderful goal from Appiah-Forson that beat Virginia to fly into the top corner of the net after 25 minutes.
Everton remained in control through to half-time but the second half was one of attritional onslaught from the Hammers, who attacked relentlessly without getting the clear-cut chances they needed to reverse the scoreline. The Blues held on with some resolute defensive play but they could not keep the ball when they did break, starving Ellis Simms who was ploughing a lone furrow up-front for the Blues.
Everton U23s: Virginia, Baningime, Astley, Branthwaite, Small (75'Hunt), Pennington, Onyango, Hughes (84' Jagne [Y:85']), Iversen, Simms, Kouyate (62' Anderson [Y:65']).Subs not Used: Tyrer, Ouzounidis.
Premier League 2; Game #11 Thursday 18 December 2020 Brighton
Everton Under-23s gave up a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League 2 on Friday evening. First-half strikes from Einar Iversen and Ellis Simms were not enough.
Iversen opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a clever finish and then provided a classy assist for Simms's eighth goal of the season. But a first-half penalty from Brighton skipper Teddy Jenks and 94th-minute long-range strike from Antef Tsoungui saw the hosts claim a battling point.
Everton U23s: Tyrer; John, Small [Y:37'] (56' Kouyate), Pennington, Ouzounidis, Astley, Iversen [Y:63'], Onyango, Simms, Baningime [Y:43'], Hughes (77' Anderson). Subs not Used: Barrett, Hunt, Jagne.
Premier League 2; Game #12 Monday 18 January 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
In-form Everton striker Ellis Simms failed to fire the Toffees to derby success, having hit 8 goals in 11 league games so far this season. The other upcoming star to catch the eye was Neils Nkounkou at left-back.
Everton got off to a brilliant start after a great run from Nkounkou down the left wing, feeding Broadhead, and the ball finally came back to Rhys Hughes who drilled one into the far corner, past the hapless Reds keeper, to give the Blues a fine early lead!!!
After that welcome surprise start, it was pretty much one-way traffic, including an incredible escape from a dreadful backpass by Nkounlkou that put Harry Tryer in all sorts of trouble but Ryan Astley was across smartly to stop the ball from bobbling over the Everton goalline.
On a rare Everton corner, Simms ambled in at the near post and somehow missed a simple header from point-blank range. At the other end, a dangerous Liverpool free-kick on the edge of the area and Everton initially defended it until Morton drifted a looped shot over everyone, into the top corner of the Everton net.
Both sides had more chances to score in the final 10 minutes of a lively half, with Everton failing to hold on to their impressive early lead.
Everton restarted the game for the second half but were very careless with the ball at times and Liverpool came very close to scoring, somehow Harry Tyrer deflecting a fearsome close-range shot miraculously over the bar.
Broadhead went on a great run with the ball but ran out of steam when it came to shooting at goal. Onyango was pulled back unfairly, giving Rhys Hughes an opportunity from the set-piece but the delivery was hopeless.
Katia Kouyate came on for Kyle John after the Everton full-back had been booked, and immediately set up Hughes who sliced his shot horribly wide. Kouyate was blocked after turning his man, setting up Hughes for another set-piece effort that so nearly crept in, forcing a good save.
Kouyate then went in very recklessly and caught the Liverpool sub above the ankle with his studs, leading to a straight red card with 3 minutes left. 10-man Everton hung on through some more scares to take a point.
Everton U23s: Tyrer [Y:86'], John [Y:75'] (76' Kouyate [R:87']), Nkounkou, Baningime, Ouzounidis, Astley, Iversen, Onyango, Simms, Hughes (91' Anderson), Broadhead (94' Cannon). Subs not Used: Barrett, Hunt.
Premier League 2; Game #13 Thursday 25 January 2021 City Traning Ground, Leicester
Goals from Small, Iversen, Ouzounidis, and Broadhead saw Everton U23s complete a fine victory at their Leicester City opponents tonight.
Everton U23s: Virginia, John, Small (83' Butterfield), Quirk (79' Price), Ouzounidis, Anderson, Iversen, Baningime, Broadhead, Onyango, Hughes (87' Cannon). Subs not Used: Tyrer, Hunt.
Premier League 2; Game #14 Monday 1 February 2021 Loughborough University
Everton Under-23s extended their five-game unbeaten run when they visited Derby County on Monday night and secured a fine 3-1 win.p
Everton U23s: Hansen, John, Small, Quirk [Y] (45' Welch), Ouzounidis, Anderson, Iversen, Price [Y] (45' Hunt), Broadhead (90+1' Cannon), Onyango [Y], Hughes. Subs not Used: Barrett, Jagne.
Premier League 2; Game #15 Friday 5 February 2021 City Academy Stadium, Manchester
Everton Under-23s went down to a 3-1 loss at new Premier League 2 leaders Manchester City.
The young Blues fell behind at the Academy Stadium on Friday night when Ben Knight finished with 18 minutes on the clock.
David Unsworth's side equalized 6 minutes after the break as Mackenzie Hunt swung in a corner and fellow substitute Tom Cannon planted a firm header into the net.
But the hosts restored their advantage just 5 minutes later before they took all the points with a third goal scored just past the hour mark.
Everton Under-23s remain 5th in Premier League 2
Everton: Hansen, Quirk (45'Hunt), John, Astley, Ouzounidis, Anderson [Y:48'], Iversen [Y:68'], Price (64' Welch), Broadhead [Y:34'], Onyango, Hughes (45' Cannon [Y:82']). Subs not Used: Barrett, Butterfield.
Premier League 2; Game #16 Monday 22 February 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
Nathan Broadhead scored all three goals as Everton Under-23s beat Manchester United 3-1 in Southport this evening
The Welsh U21 international put the Blues ahead when he collected a pass from Rhys Hughes and chipped the advancing keeper.
The visitors equalised right on half-time through McCann but Broadhead restored the advantage in the second half after Joao Virginia had turned the ball into the post at the other end.
Kyle John was the provider for that goal and Broadhead rounded things off when he knocked the ball over the line from a corner. He would put a late header wide but Everton secured a deserved win.
The result moves Everton up to third in Premier League 2.
Everton U23s: Virginia, John, Small, Astley, Ouzounidis, Anderson, Iversen (90' Whitaker), Price [Y], Broadhead, Onyango, Hughes. Subs not Used: Hansen, Cannon, Garcia.
Premier League 2; Game #17 Friday 5 March 2021 Hotspur Way, London
Spurs took the lead after 16 minutes but Everton equalized when Nathan Broadhead converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Rhys Hughes.
But the young Blues would go behind again in the second half and that's how it finished.
Everton U23s: Hansen, John [Y:51'], Small (63' Hunt (77' Butterfield)), Welch, Ouzounidis, Anderson, Iversen, Price, Broadhead, Onyango, Hughes (71'Cannon). Subs not Used: Barrett.
Premier League 2; Game #18 Friday 12 March 2021 Kingsmeadow, London
Everton Under-23s lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Kingsmeadow in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
Rhys Hughes levelled for David Unsworth's side on the stroke of half-time but two goals for Thierno Ballo gave the Londoners victory.
Everton drop to 6th in the Premier League 2 table.
Everton U23s: Tyrer, John, Small, Astley [Y:66'], Ouzounidis, Anderson (84' Hunt), Iversen, Butterfield (72' Cannon), Broadhead, Price [Y:63'], Hughes. Subs not Used: Barrett, Welch.
Premier League 2; Game #19 Sunday 21 March 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton took the lead toward the end of the first half, from a corner that was whipped in well by Mathew Mallon (on for his PL2 debut as a first-half sub for Einar Iversen), and met with predator instinct at the far post by Nathan Broadhead, who did what was required to bury it in the Arsenal net.
Tom Cannon came on as a sub for Hunt after the hour mark. Con Ouzounidis became the 5th Everton player to see the rather officious referee's yellow card as Everton were required to defend against a Gunners onslaught as the second half progressed.
Arsenal did finally break the resolute Everton defense in the last 10 minutes to equalize with a fine shot from their centre-forward. Looking for a winner in added time, Onyango on run forward with the ball was cynically fouled by Bola, who was only yellow-carded, but Onyango was also shown a second yellow card for his reaction and some afters and had to walk. Broadhead took the free-kick and came very close to scoring the winner.
Everton U23s: Tyrer, John, Anderson, Astley, Ouzounidis [Y:74'], Price [Y:45+1'], Iversen (25' Mallon [Y:67']), Onyango [Y:67'; YR:90+4'], Broadhead, Hughes [Y:30'], Hunt (63' Cannon). Subs: Barrett, Welch, Butterfield.
Premier League 2; Game #20 Friday 9 April 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U23s got the better of in-form Blackburn with a 2-1 Premier League 2 win in Southport on Friday evening, with game streamed live on the Blues' official YouTube channel.
A relative young Everton line-up featured debuts at this level for Everton Academy graduates Lewis Warrington and Charlie Whitaker from the U18s, the latter marking his maiden appearance for David Unsworth's team with a goal just before the half-hour mark when he produced a cool finish from Josh Bowler's through ball to double the home side's advantage.
Everton were already 1-0 up at that point thanks to yet another goal for striker Nathan Broadhead and, despite a Con Ouzounidis own goal giving second-placed Blackburn hope before the break, the hosts held on for an impressive victory to move to within three points of Spurs in third spot.
Everton U23s: Tyrer [Y:91'], John, Small, Ouzounidis, Anderson, Price, Bowler (74' Cannon), Warrington, Broadhead (65' Mallon, Whitaker [Y:91'], Hughes. Subs: Barrett, Welch, Butterfield.
Premier League 2; Game #21 Monday 19 April 2021 Rush Green, London
Everton U23s lost a close-fought contest at West Ham. Josh Bowler scored from the spot to put Everton in front after 10 minutes but the Young Hammers came back with 2 goals to take the win. Everton U23s: Tyrer, John, Nkounkou [Y:40'] (70' Mallon), Ouzounidis, Anderson, Price (79' Cannon), Bowler, Whitaker (60' Warrington), Broadhead, Hughes, Small. Subs not Used: Leban, Welch.
Premier League 2; Game #22 Saturday 24 April 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U23s secured a creditable draw against on Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League 2 on Saturday.
The half-time score was 1-0 after Nathan Broadhead scored from the spot just before the break. But the visitors equalized just after the hour.
Everton U23s: Tyrer, John [Y:75'], Nkounkou [Y:24'], Ozounidis, Anderson, Metcalfe, Bowler, Jagne (60' Quintyne), Broadhead, Hughes (76' Lowey), Dobbin (32' Garcia [Y:35']). Subs not Used: Barrett, Kristensen.
Premier League 2; Game #23 Monday 3 May 2021 Kingsmeadow, London
Everton U23s blew away Southampton on Monday when they scored 5 very nice goals with no reply.
Nathan Broadhead put the visitors ahead inside just 2 minutes when he strode forward and lashed a splendid shot inside the keeper at the near post.
Everton escaped a couple of scares when Harry Tryer in gaol had to be very alert, and then the Saints were given a really soft penalty only for the linesman to correctly flag for offside.
Charlie Whitaker then doubled the Blues score on 20 minutes with a very cheeky chip over the advancing goalie A Southampton player, Allan Tchaptchet, was shown a second yellow and a red for bringing down Whitaker.
A fine strike by Mills made it 3-0 for Everton just before half-time off a fine cutback.
Tryer made a couple more excellent saves before McAllister made it 4-0 with an accomplished finished before Tom Cannon, who had opened the scoring for the U18s at Wolves just 2 days earlier, got the fifth and final goal with a lovely placed finish just inside the far post.
Everton U23s: Tyrer, John [Y:32'], Small, Anderson, Ouzounidis [Y:56'], Butterfield, Mills (64' Mallon), Whitaker, Broadhead (78' Cannon), Warrington [Y: ] (64' McAllister), Hughes. Subs not Used: Leban, Welch.
Premier League 2; Game #24 Friday 7 May 2021 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton were rather pinned back from the start and struggled to get upfield. But out of nothing a lovely precision pass in to Whitaker was converted with excellent skill from the edge of the area to give Everton the lead after just 7 minutes.
Everton really should have had two after Tom Cannon cleverly tipped the ball over the Saints keeper but he tried a high volley at the open goal and missed it completely. Rather embarrassing!
From Everton's first corner, won by Small, the ball came through to Welch on the far post and he could not fail to tap in easily.
Whitaker got in a good run at goal from his own half but his strike flew a foot over the bar. Everton had more chances to score before the break, a Stanley Mills volley perhaps should have been executed with more calm control.
Into the second half and the first corner was delivered perfectly by Rhys Hughes onto the head of Charlie Whitaker who had tracked it all the way.
Whitaker came very close to getting his hat-trick after Kyle John had produced a great run down the right and a pinpoint cross for the header but the keeper denied him.
Jenson Metcalfe, on as a sub, gave away a dangerous free-kick but it was clipped wide of the goal. But Whitaker was determined to get his hat-trick and that's what he did a few minutes before the end, controlling a difficult ball to slide it past the keeper.
Everton did not play in the Premier League International Cup this season.
Everton did not compete in the Premier League Cup this season, which was suspended due to Covid-19 concerns.
Everton decided not to enter the EFL Trophy for 2020-21, citing fixture congestion.
Pre-season friendly; Game #1 Thursday 15 August 2020 Finch Farm
No explanation has been forthcoming as to why the much-heralded new signing, Niels Nkounkou failed to even make the matchday squad.
Everton U23s: Tyrer (46' Hansen), John, Ouzounidis, Astley, Anderson, Hunt, Iversen, Onyango, Hughes, Dobbin, Simms. Subs: Quirk, Cannon, McAllister, Small, Higgins, Kouyate
Pre-season friendly; Game #2 Saturday 22 August 2020 Finch Farm
Nathan Broadhead scored five fine goals as a dominant Everton Under-23s side beat Runcorn Town 7-1 in a pre-season friendly at USM Finch Farm on Saturday afternoon. Josh Bowler and Rhys Hughes were also on target as David Unsworth's team produced a scintillating attacking performance. Everton piled on the pressure after the North West Counties League Premier Division side took an early lead through Kieran Holsgrove. Bowler struck the post and Broadhead forced an acrobatic fingertip stop from Runcorn goalkeeper Adam Reid before the Blues got the equaliser their slick forward play deserved. Everton's opening goal came on 17 minutes when a corner delivery fell at Broadhead's feet six yards from goal and the attacker lashed into the top corner. The Wales Under-21 international scored his second on 28 minutes when he took aim from just inside the area and placed an accurate shot past Reid. And Broadhead completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark, rounding the Runcorn keeper and slotting into the net. The Blues did not let up and added a fourth just before the half-time interval, the dangerous Bowler skilfully turning his marker before arrowing a low drive into the bottom corner. Everton's fifth goal of the afternoon came 13 minutes after the break when Hughes hammered a shot in off the post from 20 yards. Broadhead soon had his fourth and Everton's sixth, powering home from inside the area following a clever free-kick routine. And the Welshman capped a superb individual performance by tapping in from close range three minutes from time after Bowler's shot was parried.
Pre-season friendly; Game #3 Tuesday 25 August 2020 Finch Farm
Everton U23s took on Chorley FC in a pre-season friendly played behind closed doors at Finch Farm on Tuesday.
Nathan Broadhead was again on the scoresheet but just the one goal was scored as Unsworth's charges completed their third pre-season friendly.
Everton U23s: Hansen, Pennington, Ouzounidis, Astley, Connolly, Adeniran, Iversen, Baningime, Hughes, Broadhead, Dobbin Subs: Leban, Bowler, Anderson, Higgins
Pre-season friendly; Game #4 Saturday 29 August 2020 Finch Farm
Everton Under-23s failed to score against Morecambe FC this afternoon at USM Finch Farm in their 4th pre-season friendly.
Everton nearly took the lead after just 5 minutes. Josh Bowler superbly skipped past four challenges and was only denied a sensational goal when the ball cannoned back off the Morecambe crossbar.
The Blues were bright in the early stages but couldn't take advantage of any of the corners they forced and it was somewhat against the run of play that the visitors took the lead.
Goalkeeper Nico Hansen failed to deal with a cross into the penalty area and, when the ball fell to Cole Stockton, the former Tranmere Rovers forward had the simplest of tasks to push it into the net from close range.
The dangerous Bowler almost scored at the start of the second half when he pulled a low shot just wide from 20 yards and then an angled effort from Rhys Hughes cleared the bar.
In-form Nathan Broadhead was desperately unlucky not to add to his pre-season tally when a superbly struck half-volley flashed past the keeper but crashed against the goalframe.
Substitute Lewis Dobbin came close too late on but it just wasn't to be for the young Blues against a well-organised Morecambe.
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