3 min read
18th May 2023
Everton 0 Wolves 4 (Fraser 5, 49, Pond 44, Barnett 60)
Wolves under-19s got off to a winning start in India, scoring four against Premier League rivals Everton in their opening game of the Next Generation Cup.
Nathan Fraser continued his impressive form in front of goal scoring twice, with Alfie Pond and Ty Barnett also getting on the scoresheet.
It took just five minutes for the Old Gold to take the lead and it was their main man in front of goal of late who was on the spot. An out-swinging corner was helped on its way by Justin Hubner who got the first contact, before Fraser reacted well inside the six-yard box to divert home with his head.
Two 35-minute halves were played at Reliance Corporate Park, with water breaks also in operation to help cope with the 30-plus degree heat in Mumbai – a stark contrast to the usual playing conditions back in England.
James Collins’ side were in complete control throughout the 70 minutes and kept their opponents at bay well. And they perhaps should have added a second and third before the interval, but Barnett dragged his effort wide and Tyler Roberts was unable to divert his free header in the box on target.
Half-time | Everton 0-1 Wolves
Wolves continued their threat in front of goal early into the second period as Owen Farmer struck the bar following some pinball inside the penalty area, which saw the attacker swivel before being denied by the woodwork.
However, it wasn’t long before the youngsters were rewarded with a well-deserved second. Owen Hesketh’s teasing free-kick was attacked by Pond who rose highest and was able to nod down past Seb Jensen to double the advantage.
From then on, the goals began to flow and it was three just five minutes later. Harvey Griffiths led the way with an intense press and he was able to dispossess the Everton defender before getting his head up and squaring for Fraser who had the simple task of slotting in from a few yards out.
After assisting the second goal, Hesketh came close to finding the back of the net himself as he held off the challenge inside the box, before poking just wide of Jensen’s goal.
Collins made a quadruple change on 50 minutes, which saw the introductions of Josh Esen, Dylan Scicluna, Marvin Kaleta and Aaron Keto-Diyawa as Wolves were aided by fresh legs.
And despite already having the game wrapped up, there was still time for a fourth to round off a productive evening in front of goal.
Following an excellent turn just inside the Toffees half, Barnett ran at their backline and manoeuvred into space on the edge, before striking low with his left boot and into the bottom corner.
Harry Birtwistle so nearly added a fifth late on, but the post denied the man on the right, with the Old Gold settling for four and three points to kick-off their first-ever campaign on Indian soil.
Full-time | Everton 0-4 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves play their second group game on Saturday 20th May, as they go head-to-head with RF Young Champs at 4pm (11:30am UK time).
TEAMS
Everton | Jensen, Dixon, Moonan, Jones, Samuels-Smith, Butterfield, Metcalfe, Apter, Heath, Ebere, Beaumont-Clark.
Wolves | Young, Birtwistle, Hubner, Griffiths (Scicluna 50), Tipton, Pond (Kandola 62), Roberts (Esen 50), Hesketh (Keto-Diyawa 50), Fraser (Kaleta 50), Barnett, Farmer.
