Academy Football: Young Blues are on a high after Conor McAleny's strike

"We had five schoolboys playing - Ross Barkley, Jake Bidwell, Jordan Barrow, Adam Cummins and Tom Donaghan - with the last two coming on as subs and playing for the first time.

"They acquitted themselves well and it bodes well for the future.

"They're young players but they have shown that they can handle playing at under-18 level."

The winner came on 25 minutes as McAleny tapped home from close range following a quick free-kick by Tom McCready and a cross from Karl Sheppard.

Everton should have scored more but Lewis Codling wasted chances and Sheppard also went close.

Dewsnip added: "They never really threatened our goal, apart from the odd corner, throughout the whole game. We were worthy winners in the end."

Lee McArdle's knee injury is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season but Dewsnip is hoping the Blues can maintain their revival over the final four games.

"Hopefully we have gone through the time when we weren't getting the results because we had to change the team around," he added.

"A couple of months ago we knew the team we wanted to pick, but for a variety of different factors we couldn't.

"We have rebuilt and the lads who are coming in are younger but they are taking their opportunities which is wonderful.

"We are looking forward to each match at the moment. The young lads have earned the right to play and all things being equal they will keep going."

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Davies; Barrow (Cummins 80), Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; McAleny, McCready, Kinsella, Powell (Donaghan 75); Codling, Sheppard.

BAXTER is set for euros

JOSE BAXTER helped England Under-17s go through their European Championships elite qualifying round campaign with a 100% record.

The Everton youngster played his part in the wins over Portugal and Serbia which secured England's passage to the finals.

Manager John Peacock opted to ring the changes for Monday's final game against Hungary and Baxter was an unused substitute for the 2-0 win.

Goals from Benik Afobe and Jacob Walcott, cousin of England senior international Theo, were enough to beat the hosts.

England have qualified for the last eight of the competition to be held in Germany in May.