Match by Match Reports

11^th November 1995

2^nd Round – Home to Notts County

Won 1-0

Scorer – John Hills

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

TWO OFF AS HILLS SEALS CUP VICTORY

11TH NOVEMBER 1995

BY PAUL JOYCE

New signing John Hills scored on his Goodison debut to settle an ill-tempered FA Youth Cup match against Notts County in which both sides were reduced to ten men.

The 17-year-old, bought from Blackpool for £90,000 last month, gave the Blues the lead after 11 minutes.

Gavin McCann saw his shot blocked but then fed Hills who fired a fierce shot past Danny Kelly in front of the watching Joe Royle.

County should have equalised just minutes later. A cross from centre-half Shaun Derry found Anthony Williams in space on the edge of the six-yard box but he failed to connect properly and his effort went wide.

It was the visitors’ only real chance against an Everton side who were well marshalled by Robbie Tynan and Chris Lane at the back.

Everton started the second half well but were hit by the sending off of midfielder Richie Townsend on the hour for descent to a linesman.

His dismissal only served to inspire the hosts and captain Ged Hennigan should have doubled the advantage after good work by England youth international Michael Branch.

With 10 minutes remaining County defender Graham Hickling became the second player to be dismissed when he appeared to butt Branch.

Williams was booked a minute later for a foul on Blues’ full back Eddie Hussin. Everton move into the third round.

EVERTON: Moore, Knight, Hussin, Lane, Tynan, Townsend, McCann, Hennigan, Branch, Maguire (Denton 56). Subs not used: Roscoe, O’Toole, McHugh, Davies.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

 

HOTSHOT MAKES A SUDDEN IMPACT

13TH NOVEMBER 1995

BY PAUL JOYCE

He’s the lesser known of Joe Royle’s signings and by far the cheapest.

But, in time, John Hills may prove to be equally effective as the 14m quartet of Duncan Ferguson, Earl Barrett, Craig Short and Andrei Kancheskis.

The 17-year-old signed for £90,000 from Blackpool where he was a YTS trainee with no first team experience, can be quietly satisfied with his performances in a Blue shirt to date.

Two A-team appearances and the winning goal in an FA Youth Cup match represent Hills’ Everton outings.

Shows promise – will no doubt be coach David Fogg’s early report.

The weekend’s cup tie against Notts County was the first chance for many Evertonians to see the left-sided youngster in action.

And it took him just 60 seconds to show his ability.

FORCED A CORNER

Adopting a left midfield role he made ten yards on County defender Jon Folwell to reach a raking pass from captain Ged Hennigan and force a corner, which was subsequently scrambled clear.

Allied to his obvious pace is an eye for a goal.

In an instant he took a short pass from Gavin McCann – a team-mate from his junior days with St Annes YMCA – and fired Everton into Round Three.

A goal on his Goodison debut had the few hundred fans who braved the pouring rain sitting up and taking note.

From then, Hills, who cites England and Nottingham Forest full-back Stuart Pearce as his favourite player, flitted in and out of the game, as did his colleagues.

Happy to cover defensively, it would be wrong to go overboard on his performance.

His passing was at times wayward, although that will no doubt improve the more games he plays with his new team-mates.

Perhaps more important than his match-winning strike is the fact he is yet another good youngster on the books.

To his name add Alex Smith, Jon O’Connor, Peter Holcroft, Graham Allen and Michael Branch.

In the meantime, Hills is keeping his feet on the ground.

“I never imagined moving so early in my career. But it wasn’t that hard a decision because Everton is a more ambitious club than Blackpool.” he said.

When Royle brought Hills to Goodison, he proclaimed: “He’s one for the future. Just like Lee Sharp was when United signed him from Torquay.”

Evertonians will be keeping their fingers crossed he can make the same progress.

 

6^th December 1995

3^rd Round – Home to Tranmere Rovers

Lost 1-3

Scorer – John Hills

 

Match preview from The Liverpool Echo

 

OLD PALS TO ARCH ENEMIES

6TH DECEMBER 1995

Two great friends become rivals tonight at Goodison Park, where Everton and Tranmere clash in the F.A. Youth Cup (7pm).

Everton skipper Ged Hennigan was born on August 2, 1977 – the same day as his Tranmere pal Robbie Walker. Both attended West Derby Comprehensive, played for Liverpool and Merseyside schoolboys, and were at Liverpool’s school of excellence. They even spend holidays together.

Tonight midfielder Ged and striker Robbie go their separate ways for 90 minutes.

EVERTON: O’Toole, Tynan, Hussin, Hennigan, Lane, Wood, Knight, Townsend, Branch, McCann, Hills. Subs from: Roscoe, Maguire, Denton, Moore.

 

Match report from The Liverpool Echo

TRANMERE FINISH OFF POOR BLUES

7TH DECEMBER 1995

BY PAUL JOYCE

Tranmere brushed aside a lacklustre Everton to move into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup at Goodison Park last night with a 3-1 victory.

The Blues were too often second best and fell behind after 27 minutes.

Chris Lane half-cleared only as far as Tranmere’s Alan Mahon and his powerful shot from the edge of the area beat ‘keeper John O’Toole.

The visitors doubled their advantage six minutes before the break when more hesitancy in the home defence allowed Robbie Walker to nod onto Greg Blundell who headed home.

Everton were further hit when captain Ged Hennigan was stretchered off after 68 minutes.

The team played briefly with ten men before reserve ‘keeper Richard Moore, who was the only sub on the bench, was sent on.

Everton’s night was summed up when Branch was fouled by Paul Jones in the penalty area but the 16-year old blazed the spot kick over.

Tranmere increased their lead on 76 minutes with a Walker goal.

John Hills grabbed a late consolation with a 25-yard shot.

Rovers now meet Blackburn.

EVERTON: O’Toole, Tynan, Hussin (Roscoe 45), Lane, Wood, Knight (Maguire 45), McCann, Hennigan (Moore 80), Hills, Townsend, Branch.

TRANMERE: Kinsella, Hynes, Howard, Webster, Jones, Moran, Marsden, Mahon, McIntyre, Walker, Blundell. Subs not used: Simonsen, Crawford, Hill.