Morecambe 0-1 Everton U21s
Papa John’s Trophy Northern Group A
The Mazuma Stadium
Tuesday 14 September
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Attendance: 1,004 (34 away)
A second half goal from substitute Sean McAllister was enough to hand Everton U21s three points in the opening game of our Northern Group A fixture in the Papa John’s Trophy.
The first opportunity of the game came in the seventh minute, as Wes McDonald showed a clean pair of heels to Eli Campbell before shooting over the crossbar.
11 minutes later it was the home side again with the next effort on goal, midfielder Callum Jones picked the ball up from 25-yards out and let fly, hoping to open his account for the season, but some safe hands from Zan Luk Leban made sure the scores stayed level.
The Toffees came close to finding the back of the net through Tom Cannon, the striker’s effort was whiskers away from finding its way into the bottom-right corner of Kyle Letheren’s goal.
As the first half neared to a close, it was McPake again who had Luk Leban in the Everton goal scrambling, but the on-loan Rangers man could not find away past the goalkeeper who denied him once again.
Half-time: Morecambe 0-0 Everton U21s
A frantic start to the second half saw the Shrimps have a flurry of action, firstly Scott Wootton’s goal bound effort was deflected behind for a corner, then Jacob Mensah had a header which came close to opening the scoring.
On the 64th minute the first goal of the night was scored. A rasping effort from substitute McAllister hit the inside of Letheren’s post before rippling the back of the net.
Ryan Cooney came off the bench replacing debutant Ryan McLaughlin, but the full-back could not change the scoreline with his effort.
Full-time: Morecambe 0-1 Everton U21s
We return to league action on Saturday as we face Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Morecambe: Letheren, McLaughlin (Cooney 60’), Jones (McLoughlin 81’), McDonald, Wildig (C), McPake, Mensah, Gibson, Price (Gnahoua 72’) McCalmont, Wootton.
Subs not used: Andresson, Leigh, O’Connor, Delaney.
Goals: None
Bookings: McCalmont 81’
Red Cards: None
Everton U21s: Luk Leban, Astley (C), Cannon (Warrington 81’), Anderson, Mills, Whitaker, Price, Dobbin (McAllister 57’), Welch, Butterfield, Campbell.
Subs not used: Barrett, Hunt, Hughes, Hagan, Kristensen.
Goals: McAllister 64’
Bookings: Welch 30’
Red Cards: None