U18: Everton 2 United 1

United's youngsters were unlucky to lose 2-1 against Everton at a windswept Finch Farm. The blustery conditions affected the game but the Reds went in front on 12 minutes when Mats Daehli won the ball on the halfway line and displayed fancy footwork to play in Sam Byrne down the left. The Irishman's return pass was despatched by the Norwegian midfielder with a curler from the edge of the box. It was a fine goal by Daehli and he pulled the strings in the first half but was denied further strikes by a couple of smart saves from James Fitzgibbon. New boy Andreas Pereira showed some nice touches in midfield while Ben Pearson fired over from a corner. Conor Grant's free-kick looked set to evade everybody until Pierluigi Gollini clawed it away at the back post and most of the chances were at the other end as Byrne managed to beat Fitzgibbon but was forced wide and, when the shot came, from Gyliano van Velzen, it was off target. With the wind behind their backs, Kevin Sheedy's Toffees started the second half brightly and, soon after John Lundstrom hit the bar, Grant levelled the scores with a low left-footed drive past Gollini. Back came United and substitute Tom Lawrence, making a welcome return from long-term injury, almost scored with his first touch before Pereira danced through the defence but was denied a fine solo effort when his attempt was blocked. Instead, Everton grabbed a winner when Tyias Browning's positive dribble allowed Hallam Hope to tap into an open goal with 10 minutes remaining. Hope would have added a third but for a brave stop from Italian keeper Gollini and the Reds' final throw of the dice saw Matthew Pennington almost put through his own net following a run to the byline by Liam Grimshaw. United: Gollini; Grimshaw, Ioannou, McCullough, Blackett; Daehli, Pearson, Rothwell, Pereira (Wilkinson 86), van Velzen (Wilson 71); Byrne (Lawrence 71). Subs not used: Jacob, Rudge.