Everton Under 21s through to PDL semi final

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Bates, Welch, Catesby and Boakye warming up for the game

Paul Tait’s Everton Under-21s squad took to the pitch at Walton Hall Park on Friday evening for their 36th competitive game of a long season full of league and cup action. They entered the fray on the back of three straight wins but this time against a very strong Brentford team.

The team lined up as below (featured image Omari Benjamin):

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The Blues got an early reminder of the threat that the young Bees could pose as a 2nd minute header flashed wide of the home goal with Pickford helpless. They were not to be denied much longer as in the 7th minute as the Everton defence was pulled apart, a shot deflected in off Welch to give the London side the lead, 0-1.

The Blues were definitely second best in the opening 20 minutes, and Welch was fortunate on two occasions to see defensive slips go unpunished.

It was around the 40 minute mark before there was significant ans sustained Blues’ threat and Braiden Graham, of course, was at the heart of it. He saw a smart shot comfortably saved before a beautiful 50 yard cross picked out Luca Davis at the far post. The big defender’s difficult finish levelled the scores at 1-1.

The Toffees started much more brightly after the interval, Catesby, on for the injured Benjamin, offering a different threat down the centre. Although he struggled to get his shot away before being closed down, Catesby was beginning to be a thorn in the side. An increasingly irritable Brentford side saw themselves reduced to 10 men after a poor tackle led to a 2nd yellow for the Bees’ captain. The first yellow had been for a petulant kick away of the ball to prevent a quick throw-in.

The numerical advantage swung the game in the Toffees’ favour in the 63rd minute as Samuels-Smith played in Graham down the left and his fine cross was met by Demi Akarakiri. He showed real desire to get there first as he raced in to score from 6 yards, 2-1 (see below)

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Five minutes later and the Blues took the lead as Graham was fouled in the penalty area. He picked himself up and coolly dinked the spot-kick centrally as the giant Brentford ‘keeper went to his right. Very confident and 3-1, two assists and one goal for Braiden Graham on the night.

Graham almost got a third assist as his great ball was met by the inrushing Shea Pita who brought a stunning save from the visitors’ ‘keeper. He did get another goal shortly afterwards from Boakye’s cross as his clever side-footed finish found the net from 10 yards although the ‘keeper could have done better, 4-1.

Catesby almost added to the scoreline following some magical footwork by substitute Olayiwola before Brentford got a consolation to make it 4-2 after 87 minutes.

Still time for a mesmerising attack featuring Graham, Catesby and Olayiwola which ended in Boakye blazing over the bar. It ended 4-2 and the Blues will now have a spot in the PDL semi-finals.

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That’s 26 competitive goals from Graham this season, he has returned to his early season form and that knocking on the first team door must be deafening now! It’s not just the goals, it’s the assists and the overall team contribution, a star performance on Friday night.

Earlier in the week the Under 18s earned a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers, Jake Doughty (number 7 below) getting the opener.

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Nice to see the U21s especially recover their flair before the season end as they have achieved 4 straight wins scoring 18 goals in the process. It’s not all about Braiden Graham at this level though he certainly helps!!

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