With hopes of a smattering of first teamers not materialising, it was a young but well-drilled Everton outfit that took to field against Hereford United in this afternoon’s friendly. Martin Foyle gave run outs to most of his squad with Marlon Jackson and Sean Canham starting up top. Hanford retained the gloves behind Heath, Graham, Townsend and Gallinagh with Watkins, Clist, Pell and Chris Curruthers across the middle.
An early ball forward was flicked on by Jackson but Canham had failed to anticipate and it ran through to the keeper. At the other end, Francisco Junior lifted his effort from distance well over the bar before Luke Graham showed calmness to shepherd a through ball back to Hanford. Townsend got in some interceptions but his clearances lacked direction and fell to the Everton midfield and when his clumsy challenge on McAleny brought a fee kick, Garbutt put his shot straight into the wall.
Curruthers put in a decent cross from the left but when Watlkins headed back across goal, Canham’s header was just wide. Conor McAleny found space in the Bulls’ box but slid his shot wide of the post. Barkley and Forrester both tried and failed to be Hanford before his Everton counterpart was relieved to fall on the ball close to his goal-line following a few moments of panic in the visitors box. Then, as the break approached, Marlon Jackson did well to work some space but his shot was blocked.
HT Bulls 0 Everton 0
Bowman replaced Canham for the second period. Curruthers moved to left back in place of Heath with Sam Clucas coming on to fill the wide midfield slot. Bowman was soon into the action showing a clean pair of heels to his marker but his decision to shoot met with little sympathy from Jackson who was well placed for a pull back.
Curruthers showed good determination to win the ball high up the field and delivered a tidy cross which Hammer was grateful to clear under pressure from Bowman before Clucas had to be alert to clear off the line as Everton threatened. Jackson and Bowman both had the pace and power to trouble the Toffee’s back division so it was disappointing when the latter took a bang to the face and had to leave the field with what was later described as “a bit of dizziness”.
Will Evans came on as a replacement in midfield with Clucas moving further forward and Clist switching to wide left. Harry Pell spotted Jackson’s good movement and his delightful chip put Marlon through but Hammer was quickly across to clear. McQuiklin, on for Watkins, warmed the hands of keeper Mucha before Jackson also tested the visiting custodian with a smart curling effort. Hanford kept out a long range shot from Lundstram but despite a couple of “extra time” minutes from Ref Kevin Morris, neither side could break the deadlock in front of 1100 which included 197 boiled sweets.
Bulls: Hanford, Gallinagh, Townsend, (Stam 65), Graham, Heath (Clucas 46), Watkins (McQilkin 75), Pell, Clist, Curruthers (Dalibard 57), Jackson, Canham (Bowman 46 and Evans 65), Unused Feeley, Connor.
Everton: Mucha, Browning, Garbutt, Junior, Hammer, Bidwell, Forrester (Long 70), Barkley, McAleny, Hope (Grant 75), Lundstram. Unused Taudul, Touray, Green.
Apart from the inevitable disruption of the substitutions this was a fairly enjoyable spectacle. The Jackson/Bowman partnership looks to have legs and it was a shame that Ryan took the knock which prevented him getting the full 45 minutes. B On the plus side, Dodge seemed confident that it was nothing serious whilst also confirming that Chris Curruthers withdrawal was nothing more than “a bit of a dead leg”. Hanford, again did what was required while Luke Graham was the pick of the back line. Marley Watkins worked hard and just needs to create enough space to get his crosses in.
Westfields on Tuesday (KO 7.00pm), Bristol City on Friday (KO 7.30pm) then we’re off.
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