Blue Boys: Coach Neil Dewsnip's delight at Everton Under-18s' heroics

"We started off under a little bit under pressure but we came into it and once we took the lead through a penalty we were in control. It was a really good perfor-mance again.

"The really nice part was we ended the match with five schoolboys on the pitch, which really encourages us for the future."

Codling opened the scoring after 15 minutes from the penalty spot after Powell had been brought down in the area.

Seven minutes later Powell made a superb run from the halfway line and coolly finished to make it 2-0.

Ross Barkley nearly added a third before the break but his shot from a corner hit the bar.

Goalkeeper Lars Stubhuag saved well from to maintain Everton's two-goal cushion and the points were secured when Gerard Kinsella set up Codling for his ninth goal of the season.

Schoolboys Jordan Barrow and Tom Dongahan made their second appearances for the under-18s, while new signing Femi Orenuga, who was snapped up from Southend United, came off the bench to make his debut late on.

The under-18s have a break for Easter and their next fixture is against Nottingham Forest at Finch Farm a week on Saturday (11am).

"It is a real shame we don't have a game this week," Dewsnip added.

"It is one of those things where they don't need a break.

"They are on a high, we have got a new group on the field and they have gelled together now.

"We have three games left and you would hope, whatever the scores in those games, they can maintain the form and style of play they have shown.

"We are unbeaten in five games and I think it has got better and better as those games have progressed."

Barkley and Jake Bidwell have travelled to France with England Under-16s for the Montaigu Tournament over Easter.

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Stubhaug; Barrow, Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; Shepphard (Orenuga 80), Craig, Kinsella, McAleny; Powell (Donaghan 60), Codling, Subs: Cummins, Dobie, Jensen