Clash with Everton U23s a ‘great learning experience’

RUNCORN Town were beaten by a young but very talented Everton

U23 team.

After an even start, Town took the lead after 11 minutes – Kieran Holsgrove getting on the end of a lovely ball from Dale Jennings and having time to turn and finish off the right hand post.

The lead lasted four minutes. Josh Bowler, who played 28 games last season in the Championship for Hull City, struck the post for Everton, before Nathan Broadhead forced a good save from Adam Reid. The resulting corner was played short and eventually worked into the box for Broadhead to smash in from close by .

A minute later from a Town free kick 30 years out, Dale Jennings managed to get the ball up and over the wall but also over the bar. Everton then took control and, after forcing another good save from Adam Reid, scored twice in as many minutes.

The first on 28 mins saw a lovely crossfield ball find Broadhead again, who cut inside to finish into the far corner. Then the Wales U21 International, who played 20 games for Burton Albion in League One last season, was again able to find space in the box to round Reid and complete a

12-minute hat-trick.

Town struggled playing into a stiff wind and chances were hard to

EVERTON FC U23S .............................................................. 7 RUNCORN TOWN ................................................................. 1

come by. Reid was kept busy and had to make a couple more smart saves.

On 40 minutes Town were guilty of dwelling on the ball and allowed Josh Bowler to get on the end of a precise through ball to finish from the edge of the box to make it 4-1. Just before half time came Town’s best chance since the goal, Kieran Holsgrove’s free kick from the left headed over by Marcus James.

Everton increased their lead on 55 minutes –

Rhys Hughes, capped by Wales at Under-17 and U19 level, found a yard of space and finishing in off the post from 18 yards

An instant response saw Town’s Aidan Roxburgh float a beautiful ball to the far post where Kevin Exell was lurking, but he was stretching to get the ball and couldn’t quite find the target.

Everton got a sixth just before the hour with a clever free kick routine from the right finding Broadhead again at the near post with the striker claiming his fourth goal

Town were struggling to create chances, but one almost arrived on 68 minutes with the two strikers combining.

Lewis Buckley’s cross from the right was just a yard in front of Ryan Cox who was ready to pounce before Everton cleared.

Everton had three further chances, with a header cleared off the line by Roxburgh. And it was the Town left back who had the next opportunity, Liam Ward finding him with a slick pass which allowed him to charge forward and force a good save.

Town continued to push forward and Ryan Cox was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, rattling the bar with a shot from 12 yards with the ball bouncing down before being cleared. Everton’s star man Broadhead, though, had the final word, getting on the end of a deflected shot for his fifth.

Town boss Paul McManus was pleased with the performance.

“I have to say thanks first off to Everton for hosting us today. It was a great learning experience for everyone and also a good thing for lads to be looking at lads who are pushing on at a Premier League club and learning from what they did at times today.

“Despite the scoreline there were plenty of positives from a footballing and tactical perspective which was very pleasing to see. We kept the ball very well at times and moved it with a purpose, scored a really good footballing goal and created a number of other good opportunities.

“The major difference was that they pounce on every half opportunity they get.’’