ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Everton youngsters get back to winning
EVERTON under-18s bounced back following back-to-back defeats with an excellent 3-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers.
Goals from Adam Forshaw, Luke Powell and Conor McAleny gave Neil Dewsnip's side a deserved three points in the FA Premier Academy League.
Following defeats to Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, Everton came out in determined fashion and took the lead after just three minutes.
The home goalkeeper miskicked a clearance straight to 17-year-old midfiedler Forshaw, who fired it superbly into the net.
Everton pushed for more goals but Blackburn drew level after 25 minutes and again the move was started by a poor clearance this time by Everton keeper Lars Stubhaug who got in a mix-up with defender Shane Duffy.
Everton did evenutally go back in front when striker Powell burst past a Rovers defender to fire home the second just after the hour.
As Blackburn pressed for a second equaliser, Everton defended really well. And in the last minutes substitute McAleny wrapped up the points when scoring the third goal.
Coach Dewsnip was happy to get back to winning ways, but he is keen to see Everton continue to improve
He said: "It was a great win and is something the players needed. It is good for morale and give the place a lift."
Everton will be keen to build on their win at Blackburn when they face Stoke City at Finch Farm this Saturday (kick-off 11am).
Dewsnip said: "It is obviously good to get a win, and we want to do that all the time, but it is more seeing what team we can put out. Week-to-week we don't know what team we are going to have depending on a number of factors we can't control."
Lee McArdle is the only definite absentee. The defender has a knee problem and will be out for another two weeks.
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Stubhaug; Nsiala, Sinnott, Duffy, Bidwell; Craig, Kinsella, Forshaw; McCready; Powell (Codling 65), Sheppard (McAleny 65). Subs: Davies, Nolan, Krenn.
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