U18 REPORT: EVERTON 1-1 BURNLEY

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2022-04-23T00:15:00.000Z

U18 REPORT: EVERTON 1-1 BURNLEY

2022-04-23T00:15:00.000Z

Tony Philliskirk’s side picked up a well-deserved point in an entertaining 1-1 draw against Everton at their training ground at Finch Farm.

Will Couch was the hero with a fine solo goal and he nearly grabbed a dramatic injury-time winner.

The Toffees led through a 76th minute strike from their England youth international Owen Barker.

There was a familiar face in the opposing ranks. Shea Cahill, son of Everton legend Tim, was among the home substitutes.

First half

There was an early opportunity for Longridge schoolboy Lucas Wane. He met a Joe Bauress cross but couldn’t keep his header down.

Ryan Tioffo had a big chance in the 13th minute. Kade Ratchford threaded a superb ball through but Tioffo shot over from 15 yards.

Shortly after, Benn Ward went on a composed 40-yard run from centre back. His diagonal ball found Wane who shot over.

Charlie Casper was called into action and made a flying save to deny Imam Jagne in Everton’s first attack of the game. The young Swede cut in from the left touchline but Casper denied his goalbound effort turning the shot over for a corner.

Burnley were close to taking the lead in the 31st minute after a flowing move when Wane’s precise lob came back off the upright with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Five minutes before half time Everton missed a golden chance. Troy Smikle-James headed wide from five yards from a fine cross from Isaac Heath.

Both sides had chances in an entertaining first half but the game was goalless at the interval.

Second half

Casper made a fine block just after the restart denying Harry Wright at his near post. He followed that up with a superb one-handed save to deny Smikle-James. The former Birmingham City youngster’s header appeared to be destined to open the scoring.

The game opened up and Burnley went close twice in a matter of seconds with Everton goalkeeper Pat Nash making two fine saves to deny Couch and Tioffo.

Jack Tierney was close to putting through his own goal on the hour mark. A high ball was caught in the wind and the defender’s wayward header went beyond Nash and the post for a corner.

Everton broke the deadlock through Bolton-born Barker. After a fine run across the pitch, he fired home left footed into the corner from 25 yards.

Substitute Coby Ebere was close to adding to Everton’s lead. After a strong run his effort came back off Casper’s left-hand post.

Three minutes from time Burnley got a deserved equaliser. In a grandstand finish, the Clarets were pressing the home defence. Couch won the ball, looked up and spectacularly lobbed the keeper from 35 yards.

Couch went close to a dramatic winner in time added on. After a flowing counter-attack he was denied by a fine save from Nash as he tried to lift the ball over the former Reading stopper.

Following excellent wins away to Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, this 1-1 draw in a pulsating game extends Burnley’s unbeaten run to three games at this level.

Burnley: Casper, Williams, McCullough, Bauress, James, Ward, Wane (Behan 74), Hugill (Grant 84), Tioffo (Bryan 74), Couch, Ratchford.

Subs: Moss, Olopade.

Everton: Nash, Dixon, Wright, Samuels-Smith, Tierney, Jagne (Coughlan 73), Barker, Apter, Smikle-James (Cahill 79), Djankpata (Ebere 57), Heath.

Subs: Graham, Maher.