Wolves U18s Fall to Everton in FA Youth Cup Battle at Goodison Park

Everton U18s 3-1 Wolves U18s – Tuesday 21^st January, Goodison Park – FA Youth Cup

Everton XI: Lukjanciks, Gardner, Van Schoor, Davis, Thomas, Foster (85), Armstrong, Catesby (42), Morgan (85), Graham, Clarke (78)

Subs: Patrick, Stewart, Akarakiri (85), Loney (42), Olayiwola (85), Poland (78), Robert

Wolves XI: Benjamin, Okoduwa, Lochead, Olagunju (82), Voice, Bradbury, Rawlings, Ji, Dayman, Ballard-Matthews (61), McLeod

Subs: Hardy, White, Osifo, Wilcox (82), Elendu, Marwa, Bowen (61)

Wolves U18 paid what might very well be the last visit to Goodison Park in Old Gold for an FA Youth Cup fourth round tie under the lights. 5 changes to the last U18 side, with plenty of U21 experience in the side as Caden Voice, Wes Okoduwa and Lewys Benjamin stepped down an age group to compete in this prestigious competition. 

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to the two sides arriving late because of a fire outside the ground. A succession of fouls from the hosts opened proceedings but the first opportunity came to Wes Okoduwa. A poor punch away from Everton’s goalkeeper fell kindly to Okoduwa who scuffed his shot and failed to take advantage of the early mistake. Another mistake was soon to follow, this time from the referee. Luke Rawlings was on the receiving end of a poor challenge that went unpunished. Harrison Armstrong took advantage and set up George Morgan to grab the opener. With Wolves’ heads dropped after an undeserved setback, Everton doubled their lead quickly. George Morgan gracefully slotted home after a swift counter attack to grab his brace. Emilio Ballard-Matthews had a chance to reduce the deficit when Lukjanciks dropped a Conor McLeod free-kick, but Ballard-Matthews rushed his shot over the bar. Not one that either goalkeeper or striker will want to see again! 

A quiet start to the second half saw Everton settle into their lead whilst Wolves struggled to gain possession of the ball. Lewys Benjamin was called into action to prevent another counter-attack goal, more than equal to Braiden Graham’s attempt. Conor McLeod has been in strong form this season and nearly scored a worldie when he dribbled past three Everton men and released a powerful shot from outside the box that sadly ended up comfortably in the arms of Lukjanciks. Some Wolves gas tanks were running on empty, with McLeod, Voice and Olagunju all feeling the effects of a very cold and unrewarding 90 minutes. Everton took the chance to race away and grab a third with substitute Ceiran Loney finding the bottom corner this time. Myles Dayman did manage to grab a consolation goal with a tidy finish in added time just moments after Conor McLeod had his shot cleared off the line. Dayman could have doubled his tally, but his header hit the post and ran along the goal line into the grateful arms of Everton’s goalie. It finished 3-1, meaning Everton move on to face Plymouth Argyle, while Wolves face the music.

The U18s will need to pick themselves up quickly as they host Manchester United U18s on Saturday at Compton. Their FA Youth Cup journey may be over but there’s still plenty of football to be played this season with Richard Walker’s men now able to shift their focus solely on the U18 Premier League North campaign.