Match by Match Reports

2^nd December 1983

2^nd Round – Home to Huddersfield Town

Drew 1-1

Scorer – Rob Wakenshaw

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

EVERTON YOUTH IN CUP ACTION

2ND DECEMBER 1983

Everton Youth team steps out at Goodison Park to-night (7 p.m.) determined to begin another memorable run in the F.A. Youth Cup by disposing of second round opponents Huddersfield.

The young Blues, beaten by Norwich is last year’s final, had a bye in the opening round. They can call on just four players from last season’s talented squad in Darren Hughes, Ian Macowat, Ian Marshall and Robert Wakenshaw. The side will be completed by schoolboys.

Meanwhile payers like Stewart Rimmer, Steve Bateman and Ian Bishop have gone on to play an important part in the success of the table-topping Central League side which still holds a 100 percent record after nine games.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES HELD IN CUP

3RD DECEMBER 1983

Everton, despite the inspiration of an early goal from Robbie Wakenshaw, finally had to settle for a 1-1 with hard working Huddersfield Town in the second round of the F.A. Youth Cup last night.

Beaten finalists in this competition last season, Everton looked good when they took the lead in the 17^th minute, Wakenshaw ramming home a firm cross shot after ‘keeper Phil Burns had palmed an effort from Neil Rimmer against the face of the bar.

But Huddersfield, beaten finalists in 1974, showed the teamwork instilled by a good cup run as they fought back well.

This was their fifth game in the competition this season with three preliminary round matches before they eliminated Blackburn in the first round.

And speedy striker Liam Robinson gave Huddersfield the draw they deserved when he clipped a smart shot past Steve Hall from the edge of the area in the 62^nd minute for this eighth Youth Cup goal of the season.

Everton hit a purple patch after this as they hunted a winner but Burns stood firm in the Huddersfield goal.

The team will replay at Huddersfield next Friday.

 

12^th December 1983

2^nd Round Replay – Away to Huddersfield Town

Won 1-0

Scorer – Ian Marshall

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

MARSHALL SPOT ON IN REPLAY

13TH DECEMBER 1983

An Ian Marshall penalty did the trick for Everton in their F.A. Youth Cup second round replay against Huddersfield at Leeds Road.

Everton beat the home side and now go onto meet Blackpool or Bolton in the third round.

But it was not without a struggle, however, Marshall’s penalty in the 31^st minute came after Robert Wakenshaw was held back by defender Michael Carmody, and was against the run of play.

Huddersfield striker Liam Robinson hit the bar in the seventh minute and just missed a chance after a good solo run in the 11^th. He hit the bar again in the 51^st minute and would have scored in the 54^th but for a brilliant save by goalkeeper Stephen Hall.

 

5^th January 1983

3^rd Round – Home to Blackpool

Won 2-0

Scorers – David O’Brien, Michael Fielding

 

Match Report from The Liverpool Echo

 

EVERTON MARCH ON

6TH JANUARY 1984

First half goals by David O’Brien and Michael Fielding steered Everton to a 2-0 victory over Blackpool and Goodison Park last night in their F.A. Youth Cup third round.

Everton, beaten finalists last season, always had the edge in a keenly contested tussle and John Hood, Robbie Wakenshaw and Neil Rimmer were all desperately close to adding further goals.

O’Brien put a well-placed low shot past keeper Steele in the 14^th minute to open Everton’s account, the chance being set up by a long, high ball over the defence which saw O’Brien time his run nicely to beat the offside trap.

Everton’s second, in the 27^th minute, was a real bolt from the blue, with Fielding hammering a shot from 30 yards that flew in on the foot of a post.

O’Brien, with a goal line clearance following a Hornby corner, denied Blackpool a late consolation goal and there was a further blow for Blackpool in the shape of a last-minute booking for Davies.

 

30^th January 1984

4^th Round – Away at Millwall

Won 3-2

Scorers – Robbie Wakenshaw (2), Paul McKenzie

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

…. Everton also have a youth cup-tie this evening at Millwall, and take one the youngest sides in their history.

“It will be a tremendous test for the boys, because they will be giving away a couple of years to some of the opposition.” said youth coach Graham Smith.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

WINNING COMEBACK

31ST JANUARY 1984

Everton reserve team boss Graham Smith was overjoyed with the youth team’s win at The Den last night. He said: “It was marvellous to come back twice from behind.”

Substitute Paul McKenzie sent Everton in the 5^th round of the Youth Challenge cup with a goal five minutes from time. The visitors other two goals came from Wakenshaw who also hit the bar with a shot in the first half.

Liverpool Youth went out at the same stage last night when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.

 

23^rd February 1984

5^th Round – Home to Newcastle United

Won 2-1

Scorer – Robbie Wakenshaw (2)

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

23RD FEBRUARY 1984

Tonight Everton’s youth team take on Newcastle United in the quarter-final of the F.A. Cup at Goodison Park (7 p.m.)

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES HIT BACK

24TH FEBRUARY 1984

Despite the shock of going a goal behind in just 60 seconds, Everton’s youngsters showed the same cup-fighting qualities of the senior squad, by battling back to beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the quarter final of the F.A. Youth Cup last night.

Beaten finalists last season and aiming to go one better this time, it looked black when Brian Tinnion shot Newcastle in front with the Goodison Park crowd still settling down in their seats. But Newcastle hardly got the Everton goal in their sights again all night as Ian Marshall and Ian Macowat, in particular, took a tight grip on their front runners.

Everton wasted a hatful of chances before Robbie Wakenshaw fired home a 47^th minute equaliser and in the 73^rd minute to was Wakenshaw on target for the winner as he headed in a Neal Rimmer corner.

 

27^th March 1984

Semi-Final 1^st Leg – Home to Barnsley

Won 1-0

Scorer – Neil Rimmer

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

GOOD LUCK SKIPPER

27TH MARCH 1984

Good luck Ian – Good Luck Kevin: Everton Youth team skipper Ian Marshall, who leads the blues in the semi-final of the F.A. Youth Cup at Goodison Park against Barnsley tonight receives the best wishes of the first team from Kevin Ratcliffe at Bellefield today. The youth team game kicks off at 7:30.

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES’ SLIM REWARD FOR BATTLING DISPLAY

28TH MARCH 1984

BY SYD DYE

Everton’s youngsters battled hard at Goodison Park last night for the slim reward of a 1-0 win over Barnsley in their F.A. Youth Cup semi-final first leg game.

But for two superb saves by Barnsley ‘keeper Wayne Thornton, Everton’s lead for the return leg at Oakwell on April 6 would have been far more comfortable, but he twice went full length to turn aside powerful headers from Neil Rimmer and in the last minute from Ian Marshall.

It was Rimmer who broke the deadlock in the 16^th minute of a game that later got bogged down in midfield on a rain-soaked pitch.

‘Keeper Stephen Hall opened the way with a huge clearance that caught Barnsley short at the back and Rimmer wriggled through before chipping a shot past the advancing Thornton.

Barnsley, coached by former Goodison favourite Bobby Collins, included the scalps of the two Manchester clubs, City and United, in previous rounds and offered a tough, uncompromising approach.

Trainers were kept busy and so was the referee in a match that at times threatened to get out of hand.

Four bookings cooled things – the Barnsley pair of Mark Ogley and Craig Marshall along with the Everton duo of Darren Hughes and Mike Fielding.

 

6^th April 1984

Semi-Final 2^nd Leg – Away at Barnsley

Drew 1-1 After Extra Time

Scorer – John Hood

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

6TH APRIL 1984

The Everton youth side travels to Barnsley tonight for the second leg of their F.A. Youth Cup semi-final. They hold a 1-0 advantage and pick from a squad of 14:

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

HOOD’S ROCKET GIVES BLUES A SUPER FINALE

7TH APRIL 1984

Everton’s John Hood ended Barnsley’s dream of reaching the final of the F.A. Youth Cup for the first time in their history with a goal three minutes from the end of extra time at Oakwell last night.

Barnsley striker Steve Agnew, who has scored in every previous round, raised their hopes of meeting Stoke with a last-gasp effort in normal time that made up for the first leg deficit.

The reprieve that sent the homeward bound crowd back to their seats for another 30 minutes of nail-biting soccer was ended three minutes from the finish of the additional period. Hood’s thunderous shot from 30 yards whistled into the roof of the net and crushed the Barnsley camp. Barnsley will feel themselves unlucky not to have stolen the glory. They completely dominated play and Agnew was only narrowly off target five minutes before levelling the scores.

 

26^th April 1984

Final 1^st Leg – Home to Stoke City

Drew 2-2

Scorers – Robbie Wakenshaw, Neil Rimmer

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES TEST OF FINAL SPIRIT

26TH APRIL 1984

Everton’s battling youngsters step into the Goodison Park spotlight tonight determined to give total commitment in their F.A. Youth Cup final clash against Stoke City (7.30 p.m.).

The young blues have impressed coach Graham Smith with their spirit this season and he knows they will give 100 percent effort in this first leg tie, the teams meeting again at the Victoria Ground on May 8.

Stoke are the acknowledged favourites to pick up the trophy, but Smith said: “That suits us fine. The lads are going out to enjoy it and if the crowd get behind them they will respond.

“Last year we had quite a good footballing side. This season we have relied on strength and determination to reach this stage.

“I’m really pleased for the players. From the start of our run it was clear that if we were to get to the final it would be through sheer effort. That was summed up perfectly in the semi-final against Barnsley.

“We won the first leg 1-0 at Goodison and they equalised in injury time at Oakwell. My heart sank for the lads because they had run themselves into the ground.

“But I told them that Barnsley had only bought themselves some time and we rolled our sleeves up again. John Hood clinched it for us with a 25 yards shot in the extra period.”

Stoke have two players with limited first team experience. They are left back Chris Hemming and skipper Steve Parkin. Striker Jon Chapman is following in the footsteps of his brother Lee who made his name at the Victoria Ground before joining Arsenal and then Sunderland.

Everton’s left back Darren Hughes tasted senior action at Wolves this season. In the main it’s a solid looking side that reached this stage with victories over Huddersfield, Blackpool, Millwall, Newcastle and Barnsley.

The Young Blues reached last year’s final, losing out to Norwich over three magnificent matches.

The main stand and top balcony, together with Upper and Lower Bullens road will be open (£1 adults, 50p juveniles). The enclosure will also be open with access to Gwladys Street (50p).

The squad is: Hall, Oldroyd, Marshall, Macowat, Hughes, Walsh, Hood, Fielding, O’Brien, Wakenshaw, Rimmer, McKenzie and Brindle.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES’ HOPES IN BALANCE

27TH APRIL 1984

BY KEN ROGERS

Stoke City came battling back from a two goal deficit at Goodison Park last night to leave Everton’s F.A. Youth Cup dreams balanced on a knife-edge.

First half goals from Rob Wakenshaw and Neil Rimmer had given the Young Blues a marvellous start in this highly entertaining first leg tie, but the visitors levelled the scores after the break to set up a nailbiting return at the Victoria Ground on May 8.

Over 9,000 fans turned up to see if Everton could set up their first success in this competition since 1965.

On that occasion players like Jimmy Husband and John Hurst helped to inspire a memorable victory over Arsenal. Both players, of course, went on the achieve great things at senior level.

Last year the Blues lost out in a magnificent three-match confrontation with Norwich, and it is clear that this season’s final will be another ding-dong struggle until the very last kick.

Stoke, installed as pre-match favourites, showed good skill from players like David Sutton and winger Roger Johns, to fight their way back in this tie. It was the hardworking Sutton who equalised in the 75^th minute, after Neil Howells had edged the Potteries side back into the picture 13 minutes after the interval.

But Everton, demonstrating all the courage and commitment that has been the hallmark of their cup run, will reflect on a controversial “penalty” incident in the dying moments when Michael Fielding was blocked by defender Chris Hemming as he attacked the box. The linesman’s flag signalled the infringement but the referee George Tyson waved play on.

The Blues had made the perfect start, 1-0 up after just three minutes with a goal from leading scorer Wakenshaw. Rimmer’s cross from the right was headed down by the impressive Ian Marshall, and the striker thumped home the chance from close range.

Before Stoke had a chance to settle, the Goodison lads increased their advantage. Darren Oldroyd’s defence-splitting forward ball saw Wakenshaw in a straight forward confrontation with Richard Dawson. The keeper blocked the striker’s attempted lob, but Rimmer was following up to drill the ball into the net with real precision.

Wakenshaw almost made it three, but Dawson turned a fierce volley round the post for a corner. To their credit, the visitors began to settle and play their way back into the game with some excellent football.

It paid off after 58 minutes, Neil Moutford picking out Howells with an excellent free kick. The resulting header, high and wide of Stephen Hall’s right hand, signalled a determined revival.

Everton had seen a Paul McKenzie effort blocked on the line by the outstretched leg of Dawson, but up the other end Sutton grabbed the equaliser that leaves this final deadlocked at 2-2 with everything to play for.

EVERTON: Hall, Oldroyd, Hughes, Macowat, (McKenzie) (56), Marshall, Hood, Fielding, Walsh, Wakenshaw, O’Brien, Rimmer.

STOKE CITY: Dawson, Williams, Hemming, Callaghan, Howells, Parkin, Mountford, (Shaw, 89), O’Neill, Chapman, Sutton, Johns.

Attendance: 9,317.

 

8^th May 1984

Final 2^nd Leg – Away at Stoke City

Won 2-0

Scorers – Darren Hughes, Robbie Wakenshaw

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

ROB’S SIGHTS SET ON NEW GLORY

8TH MAY 1984

BY KEN ROGERS

Rob Wakenshaw, the young geordie striker who scored a memorable debut goal against Manchester United on Saturday, turns his attentions to the F.A. Youth Cup final tonight and an exciting second leg clash at Stoke.

The game is balanced on a knife-edge at 2-2, the Young Blues throwing away a two goal advantage at Goodison Park as the more experienced Potteries side showed their quality to bounce back in style.

Wakenshaw had demonstrated his potential in that game, getting on the scoresheet for Everton along with Neil Rimmer.

Goodison boss Howard Kendall was well pleased with the youngster’s performance against United on Saturday, saying: “I was delighted for the lad. He’s got some good qualities and if he continues to improve he’s got a chance.

“He’s a confident little player with an eye for a goal. Now he must keep working at his game and keep his feet on the ground.”

Wakenshaw will obviously be full of confidence tonight and that could give the Blues an important lift against a side that is convinced that the trophy is already in the Victoria Ground boardroom.

Stoke coach Tony Lacey said: “We are the better side. We gave them a two goal lead in the first leg, but they will see a different Stoke this evening. We will be going from the 1^st to the 90^th minute.”

uEverton will have something to say about that. The side has shown tremendous character to reach this stage and coach Graham Smith explained: “We are going out to work hard and enjoy it. One thing we do well is battle and we will run ourselves into the ground once again.

“The Stoke team are all full-time and so they are naturally more organised. That is the main difference between the sides, but our lads remain confident that they can clinch it.”

Everton squad: Hall, O’Brien, Oldroyd, Marshall, Hughes, Walsh, Hood, Fielding, Brindle, Wakenshaw, N Rimmer, McKenzie, Richmond.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

YOUNG BLUES’ NIGHT OF CUP TRIUMPH

9TH MAY 1984

Everton’s brave youngsters survived a terrific onslaught to take home the Youth Cup when beating Stoke City Youth 2-0 and winning by a 4-2 aggregate.

And the man to set them on their way was 18-year old full-back Darren Hughes, who set the game alight in the 62^nd minute with a brilliant goal.

The Everton left-back picked the ball up on the halfway line and surged into the Stoke half before sending a wicked, bending drive past keeper Dawson.

The goal ruined Stoke’s hopes of taking the trophy for the first time in their history. Stoke had been well on top for all but the first 15 minutes when Rob Wakenshaw had a shot cleared off the line.

As Stoke surged forward Jon Chapman, brother of Sunderland striker Lee, missed a simple chance in the 21^st minute and as Everton hung on Chapman and fellow striker David Sutton, both hit the bar.

But after soaking up incredible pressure Hughes scored his wonderful goal. He gave Everton a much needed boost and 14 minutes from time they increased their lead.

This time Wakenshaw made a fine run to beat the Stoke offside trap and clinically drove the ball under the diving Dawson.

Even in the closing minutes Stoke threatened to pull a goal back but Everton keeper Stephen Hall, was at his best. With just minutes to go he made tremendous diving stop.

 

Ian Macowat Profile – Everton v Grimsby (Milk Cup) Programme