Everton U18s in fine FA Youth Cup win

The U18s are leading Sheffield Utd 1-0 at half-time with a great goal from the lad we signed from Sunderland.

Everton U18s won this FA Youth Cup game 2-1 with another goal from Stan Mills to add to the first-half goal. They then let United score a late goal from a poorly defended corner.

Okoronkwo looks good, Dave. That's a strong side, with the likes of Welch, Campbell, Mills and others who've been playing U23s stuff.

Brent,

Yes, Okoronkwo looked very good and he always looks happy, singing there at the end of the game happy to be through to the next round. Mills very good along with Butterfield and Welch and the young kid at left-back, who is only 15.

Same age as the other striker, Sherif. Hard to believe he is still only fifteen, he’s going to be some size if he keeps growing, he’s over 6 foot now.

Not a bad game. They now play Man Utd away in the next round which should be on their TV channel.

The trouble with the likes of Okoronkwo is that’s it’s very difficult to tell if he looks good because he’s matured earlier than some of the other boys or because he’s a genuinely good player.

I think the likes of Simms looked excellent at this level partly because he was just much quicker and stronger than some his rivals; though still a decent prospect he’s not excelled to the same degree at U23s and senior level.

A decent display by the u18s. Mills and Welch were the picks for me.

BUGGER! Missed this. I do wish the club gave more publicity to these games.

Entire game available at this link on YouTube.

Youth Cup v Blades

To see the goals fast forward to 1:05:00. Okuronkwo very Gray-like with his goal.

1:43:00 to see Mills thump home the second from close in.

Thanks, Jay, and he definitely looked stronger than most in those highlights then, Sam.

Jay, I think Okuronkwo made the Mills goal?

Brent, yes, the big lad definitely made the goal for Mills and he scored another good goal from a great pass by Butterfield that was marginally offside.

Ishe Samuels-Smith really caught my eye - he’s just a complete natural. Stanley Mills continues to impress - and was as good in the air as he was on the ground; I wonder whether he might end up playing as centre forward, or auxiliary striker, as he has all the tools to play anywhere across the front three. And I’ve been banging on about Luke Butterfield for the best part of a year now, and he was excellent again.

Okoronkwo has real confidence in his own ability, and that’s a massive plus for a forward. He was dangerous throughout, and fancies his chances when doubled-up against. Very encouraging signs from him.

I still don’t really get Isaac Price though. I’ve watched him a lot and he has never stood out even once.

Being optimistic, I see more of a natural footballer in Okoronkwo than Simms.

It certainly doesn't hurt being such a big unit, but he runs with the ball well and seems to operate well wide and deep. Seems to have a lot of personality too.

Fingers crossed.

Samuels-Smith looks a class act regardless of size. Just so good.