Match by Match Reports

6^th December 1966

Second Round – Home to Manchester United

Drew 0-0

Match report from Liverpool Echo and Evening Express - 7^th December

DEFENSIVE TACTICS BRING FEW SCORING CHANCES

7^th DECEMBER 1966

BY PAUL O’BRIEN

If the tactics in last night’s F.A. Youth Cup second round match at Goodison Park, in which Everton and Manchester United drew 0-0, are a foretaste of things to come in Football League games, then I’m all for the return to the bad old days of “kick and rush.”

Both teams soon settled into a defensive pattern, and with neither able to break quickly enough to cause the other any undue anxiety, the game was remarkable only for the very small number of shots that the goalkeepers, Clarke (Everton) and Connaughton (United) were called on to deal with.

Everton fans among the 5,298 crowd went home convinced that their side should have had a penalty five minutes from time, when inside right Whittle, by far Everton’s best forward, was tackled by two United defenders inside the area, and they had a point.

But had Everton got a penalty and scored, it would have been an injustice, for this was a game fairly summed up by the goalless scoreline.

Clarke, who was busier than his United number, but mainly collecting through balls and crosses, made the only exceptional save of the match midway through the second half when he turned a shot by United’s leader, Givens, over the bar, then shortly afterwards left back Stiles saved Everton by heading the ball from under the crossbar, after Clarke had left his goal to Naughton made a great recovery to stop Royle scoring.

Unfortunately, particularly in the first half, we had much of the pushing, tripping and over-enthusiastic tackling which seem part of the modern defensive plan, although United were the main offenders and their right back, Kopel, was fortunate to receive no more than a series of “quiet words” from referee Batty, of Helsby.

Many defenders came out of the game with great credit, and none more than United’s solid centre half, James, although his opposite number, Kenyon, was not far behind.

Everton’s full backs, Turner and Styles, showed up well and there was no stronger tackler on view than United’s left half, Burns.

The forwards had a thankless task, but Whittle (Everton) and Kidd (United) played well.

 

12^th December 1966

2^nd Round Replay – Away at Manchester United

Lost 2-3

Scorers – Frank Thornton, Joe Royle

 

Match report from Liverpool Echo and Evening Express

 

EVERTON YOUTHS WERE SPLENDID IN DEFEAT

13^th DECEMBER 1966

BY PAUL O’BRIEN

Even in defeat, Everton put on a splendid show in their replayed second round F.A.Youth Cup tie Old Trafford last night. But Manchester United were deserving winners by the narrow 3-2 margin in a match that was full of excitement and incident.

Four goals, three to United, came in a sizzling first half during which right winger Brough, inside left Kidd and right back Kopel were Manchester’s stars.

Thereafter, Everton clearly held the advantage, but earned only a second goal for their skilful and spirited efforts.

It was unfortunate that Kenyon, the Merseysiders’ tall and powerful centre half, should receive a booking from the referee and that the side should have two scoring attempts disallowed for fractional offside.

But they were lucky to escape when a Manchester header from a corner hit the bar and the home forwards twice missed the target from easy chances at close range.

Thus, justice was done in the end, even though goalkeeper, Alex Clarke, right half Bill Brindle and inside right Alan Whittle, who were outstanding for Everton did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Kidd, after three minutes, Cooke (10) and Givens (30) scored for United, Thornton (23) and Royale (53) replied for Everton after stylish dribbles respectively by Whittle and Brindle.