Morecambe edge Everton U21s on penalties

A young Everton team are losing 2-1 at halftime. It should be more, the Everton keeper has made a couple of good saves, and as well as scoring McCallister has been the only Everton player to really threaten the Morecombe goal, but I personally think this young Everton team should be doing better.

Price moves the ball quickly but lacks concentration when passing the ball more than 20 yards. Whitaker puts energy into the game but also lacks concentration when he's done something good, and Warrington looks to be playing within himself and now needs to move up a level by going out on loan.

Price scored straight after halftime, then Cannon put Everton ahead, after some really good pressing from either side with first Whitaker, then seb Quirk, who won the ball and fed Cannon, who smashed it home low past the Morecombe keeper. Everton couldn't hold onto their lead, with Morecombe scoring late on, and then it went to penalties, and Everton lost.

Tony (2), you forgot to add that your stepson, Adam, came on for Morecombe and had a good thirty minutes before scoring the last penalty that won the game for his team.

I won't add that Adam is a nice lad even though he is a Liverpudlian!!

I missed this while focused on the big boys at Leeds.

This competition has always carried an added 'edge' as it pits Category One (mostly Premier League) Academy Development U21 teams against seasoned professionals from the lower leagues, with Morecambe in League One.

Ah yes but no but, I hear you say, do they put out a full-strength side?

This from GrandOldTeam.com...

The rules state:

7.3 Each EFL Club shall play its Full Available Strength in and during all Matches.

Full Available Strength' means the EFL Club must include at least four Qualifying Players in the ten outfield Players named in the starting eleven on the Team Sheet.

7.4 Qualifying Player means any Player who:

7.4.1 had started the immediately preceding First Team Fixture (as defined below);

7.4.2 subsequently starts the immediately following First Team Fixture;

7.4.3 is in the list of ten Players at the Club with the highest number of starting appearances in First Team Fixtures in the same Season;

7.4.4 has made forty or more starting appearances in First Team Fixtures or international equivalents (and not limited to the same Club or Season); or

7.4.5 is on standard loan from a Premier League Club or any EFL Club operating a Category One Academy.

Dave,

I can't believe your extended family are even causing more torment for an Everton team. lol

Kieran (5), It was a big moment for young Adam and with him having a good thirty minutes and scoring the final penalty it has done his prospects a lot of good, in fact he has been told he is going down to Bristol on Saturday and might get a few minutes on the field with the first team so I wouldn't begrudge the lad his little bit of fame even if it was versus Everton, it reminded me of the night I was at Goodison for an Everton v Forest reserve game and Tony scored against The Blues I jumped up and had a little cheer, not as big as the one I did at Anfield when Tony scored against them in an FA youth cup match!!