 | Southend United 2 Everton 2 (Everton win 4-2 on penalties) | |
James Stevens and Harry Crawford saw spot-kicks saved by Toffees goalkeeper Connor Roberts in a dramatic finale, with Stevens' own intelligently-taken free-kick representing a particular high point for Southend. The 74th-minute set-piece, securing the draw, was no more than Blues deserved after a fine battling display against Academy opposition.
If Duncan's game-plan had been to engineer a similarly solid start to the fixture as had been enjoyed against Arsenal, then it was dealt a huge blow when Everton took the lead after referee Andrew Parker had pointed to the penalty spot in just the 14th minute.
Everton forward Karl Sheppard jostled with Duran Reynolds as the pair chased a long ball over the top of the Southend defence. When they reached the penalty area, Reynolds executed the slightest of nudges to push Sheppard to the floor, and the Republic of Ireland Under-18 international dispatched the spot-kick past Daniel Bentley, who had guessed correctly that his opponent would direct his shot towards the bottom left-hand corner.
Sheppard had previously delivered warning that he was a threat when he stumbled onto Anton Forrester's cross to strike past the left-hand upright, and for much of the opening quarter, the visitors appeared the more dangerous.
Their advantage was soon cancelled out, though, in the 23rd minute when a sweeping move finished with Julian Okai firing the ball inside the far post. The diminutive winger had received the ball from Kyle Asante, who in turn had been the recipient of a fine Crawford flick-on to help Blues draw level.
"It was good for me to score," Okai said after the game. "I do get a few goals, and I managed 13 or 14 last season for the Under-16s from left-midfield. I had been talking to Femi Orenuga in the build-up to the match, and I said that I would score first whilst he thought that he would. When I scored, he was unhappy about that."
Everton ended the half strongly, Sheppard lobbing wide of the right-hand post with a speculative effort and Crawford almost nodding past his own goalkeeper from Tom Donegan's centre. From the resultant corner, Donegan teed up Forrester, who saw a vicious attempt palmed away by Bentley.
Early in the second period, Bentley did well to save Hallam Hope's deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area, but there was nothing he could do when the Academy club were awarded another penalty, this time Ade Osifuwa tripping Sheppard as he advanced on goal. The front man drove into the same corner on 46 minutes as Bentley this time went the wrong way.
This sparked an excellent response from the hosts, with Crawford blasting wide when Reynolds' long ball fell into his path. Another raking pass, this time from Jamie Dennis, saw Teddy Nesbitt bundle into Rhys Mackay's path, and the substitute's deflected effort was saved by Roberts.
However, as the crowd still discussed Roberts' point-blank block from a Kyle Asante shot, the Shrimpers equalised again. A free-kick was awarded to Blues and Stevens quickly stepped-up to chip a 30-yard dead-ball over the custodian and into the net.
"I saw the goalkeeper off of his goalline, and I said to the referee, 'When can I take this?' He just told me to take it whenever I want, so I clipped it and then just saw it hit the back of the net," Stevens revealed.
There was to be no further goalmouth action and, despite the successful spot-kicks of Dennis, who requested to come back onto the field in injury time, and Reynolds, a 100 per cent record for Everton's penalty-takers saw them ultimately claim the inaugural Toomey Trophy.
Although his team had suffered a reverse, Head of Youth Ricky Duncan was pleased with the experience that his new-look team had gained: "If you look at the way we played overall, you've got to be pleased with that. We have to look at ourselves for the two goals that we have conceded; they were two rash decisions to give the penalties away, but in terms of open play, I thought we did well. The boys have put a lot of effort in, beating Arsenal yesterday and now drawing with Everton."
"I want players to push on into the first-team, and it can only be good for them to have played these matches at Roots Hall. Over two days the support from the crowd has been fantastic, and hopefully this tournament can grow. Then, with word of mouth, we can attract even bigger crowds," Duncan declared.
Southend United U18s: Daniel Bentley; Jamie Dennis (John Owinja 62), Adetayo Osifuwa (Kane Ferdinand 69), Duran Reynolds, Teddy Nesbitt (George Smith 78); Marcus Milner (James Stevens 47), Medi Abalimba (Rhys Mackay 66 (Dennis 80+4)), Merrick James-Lewis, Julian Okai (Craig Scott 62); Harry Crawford; Kyle Asante.
Substitutes not used: Charlie Morgan, Anton Wilson.
Goals: Okai (23), Stevens (74).
Everton U18s: Connor Roberts; Jordan Barrow, Aristote Nsiala, Johan Hammar, Moses Barnett; Femi Orenuga, Gerard Kinsella, Tom Donegan, Anton Forrester (Adam Cummins 47); Hallam Hope, Karl Sheppard.
Substitutes not used: Adam Davies, Daniel Murphy, Jon Nolan, Luke Dobie.
Goals: Sheppard (14pen, 46pen).
Cautions: Barnett (39 - foul tackle), Donegan (50 - foul tackle), Nsiala (50 - foul tackle).
Full interviews with Head of Youth Ricky Duncan and goalscorers Julian Okai and James Stevens can be found on Southend United's official website,: www.southendunited.co.uk
Thanks to the Shrimpers Trust website for the reprinting of these reports, to read all the latest updates of the Blues under-18's throughout the season go here: