Match by Match Reports

8^th December 2009

3^rd Round – Away at Middlesbrough

Won 1-0

Scorer – Connor McAleny

Match Report from Toffeeweb

Everton: Davies; Nsiala, Bidwell, Mustafi, Duffy; Barkley (118' Hope), Donegan, Forshaw; McAleny, Baxter, Craig (63' Garbutt)
Subs not used: Roberts, Kinsella, Orenuga. Scorers: McAleny

Conor McAleny's extra-time header booked Everton Youth’s place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Billingham Synthonia last night.

Neil Dewsnip’s side had to wait until the 103rd minute to take the lead, but McAleny’s header proved decisive.

Everton produced some good football throughout and also hit the woodwork three times.

Captain Jose Baxter was at the heart of much of Everton’s good work and saw an effort come back off the post deep into injury time with Everton already 1-0 up.

Ross Barkley had hit the bar and the post in the second half while Nathan Craig saw an free-kick effort ruled out at the start of the second half for an infringement spotted by the assistant referee.

Everton keeper Adam Davies had to be alert to save Cameron Park’s 25-yard, while the Boro striker also hit the angle of the post and bar in the first half. But Everton’s youngsters ran out deserved winners and can look forward to another Youth Cup tie in the New Year.

21^st January 2010

4^th Round – Away to Brighton & Hove Albion

Won 2-0

Scorers – Shane Duffy, Adam Forshaw

Match Report from Toffeeweb

Everton: Davies; Nsiala, Bidwell, Mustafi, Duffy; Wallace, Baxter, Forshaw; McAleny (67' Donegan), Barkley, Craig.
Subs not used: Roberts, Kinsella, Garbutt, Hope. Scorers: Duffy, Forshaw

Two late goals from Shane Duffy and Adam Forshaw put Everton into the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup.

After their 2-0 victory over Brighon & Hove Albion, Neil Dewsnip’s side are now on their travels for the third successive round, with the much shorter trip to Preston North End in the fifth round next month.

Everton Youth Academy Under-18s are now unbeaten in their past seven matches, a run which stretches back to early October.

1^st March 2010

6^th Round – Away at Blackburn Rovers

Lost 1-2

Scorer – Shane Duffy

Match Report from Toffeeweb

Everton: Davies; Nsiala, Bidwell, Mustafi, Duffy; Wallace (106' Orenuga), Donegan, Forshaw; McAleny (88' Hope), Baxter, Craig (106' Garbutt).
Subs not used: Roberts, Murphy. Scorers: Duffy

Everton began brightly and right-back Aristote Nsiala just couldn’t get in on the end of a Baxter free-kick. Everton went close again when Nathan Craig saw a decent shot tipped wide by Rovers keeper Josh Swann. Tom Donegan also fired just wide and Conor McAleny was also denied by keeper Swann.

Everton continued to press and got their reward four minutes before half-time. Baxter’s superb free-kick was met by Shane Duffy, who headed home the opening goal and the first Blackburn had conceded in this season’s FA Youth Cup.

Early in the second period Everton almost gave themselves a 2-0 but Nsiala’s header was hacked off the line by a home defender. The play was switching from end to end and Everton keeper Adam Davies and Duffy were able to stop Tom Hitchcock from grabbing an equaliser on the hour.

They held the lead until there was 10 minutes left of normal time. As the game wore on the home side continued to press and they drew level as captain Hanley did the damage. when Grant Hanley scored for the home side - the first goal Everton under-18s had conceded in more than 1,000 minutes of play stretching back to October 10. Everton themselves had also kept three clean sheets en route to the last eight clash.

Both sides had chances to book their place in the semi-finals and two-legged tie with Chelsea, but Rovers substitute Osayaman Osawe scored the crucial strike 12 minutes into extra-time. Everton dominated in the early part of extra-time, but it was Rovers who took the lead 12 minutes in when substitute Osawe coolly slotted home past Davies when one-on-one.

Everton threw on Luke Garbutt and Femi Orenuga replacing Craig and James Wallace, and centre-back Duffy was pushed further forward in a desperate attempt to save the tie. Orenuga set up Duffy, but the Irishman fired wide, while Baxter also went close with a free-kick. But Everton couldn’t manage to grab an equaliser.