1st apologies to Screacher and Pilgrim that I didn't get in touch but I didn't leave Hale until 6:30 so it was a last minute decision to go - anyway a report :-

Josh Sets out at the last minute & I don't know where Widnes Rugby Ground -

Arrive Widnes drive around - follow the crowd - hang on a minute its a reserve match. #1 to park ?? Not me - stick it in front of this shop. Should be OK all the scallies from Liverpool will be in the ground.

Just as I get to turnstile whistle goes - #8 sign above gate is for Rugby - but wait tonights free - hence the crowds - Well done Everton. Loads of bairns and parents and the ground is busy.

Teams :-

EVERTON NEWCASTLE UNITED

1 STEVE SIMONSEN 1 JOHN KARELSE 2 TONY HIBBERT 2 LAURENT CHARVET 3 CARL REGAN 3 ANDREW GRIFFIN 4 SEAN O'HANLON 4 STEPHEN CALDWELL 5 PETER CLARKE 5 MARCELINO 6 LEQN OSMAN 6 JOSE ANTUNES 7 DANNY CADAMARTERI 7 DIEGO GAVILAN 8 MITCH WARD 8 JAMIE McCLEN 9 FRANCIS JEFFERS 9 PAUL ROBINISON 10 CARL HOWVARTH 10 SILVIO MARIC 11 JAMIE MILLIGAN 11 STUART GREEN

SUBSTITUTES !SUBSTXTUTES

12 GEORGE PILKINGTON 12 SHOLA AMEOBI 14 JOHN WRIGHT 13 STEPHEN GRINDLAY 15 KEVIN McLEOD 14 KEVIN GALL 16 MATT MeKAY 15 MARK BOYD GK DEAN DELANY

The game :-

1st Half Gavilan being fed with the ball at every opportunity - his left back is pretty competent but he's destroying him. This lad is good. He can pass with both feet cross at a headable height and take deadballs. Solano off you go to Real. He also chases back and wins tackles.

Charvet looking composed at Right Back - the aliens did him some good.

Marcelino scores half way through with a looping header from a Gav corner.

Our left back was giving Cadamarteri too much room - didn't get a program until just before half time and realised it was Griffin on the far side.

Robinson (with a silly Beckhamesque haircut) scores a goal from one of the several sublime crosses our little Sparrowhawk puts in but is given offside - didn't look it to me.

Overall we were toying with a very average Everton.

Half time Long queues while the kids work out what to have to eat. Loads of pies left but no hotdogs - sack the caterer.

2nd Half Everton obviously get a bollocking and double up on Gav and our lot have been told to let somebody else have a go.

We're still trying to play football but not gettng so much space. Cadamarteri skips past a sluggish Griffin and gets a cross in - its half cleared but a Blue at the far side of the penalty area gets a cross come shot in and its deflected in by an Everton forward. That is the only chance that Everton got on target. 1-1 There is a suspicion of offside but it wasn't given. YBR not a happy bunny.

Robinson limped off to be replaced by Kevin Gall (who ?). The lad looks bright and tricky but not too tall - heard that one before.

Anyway there keeper pulls off 2 superb saves - one to his left from a long shot and the other a fine tip over. We're thwarted and it ends 1-1

Player marks.

Karelse - nowt to do besides throw it to Gav Charvet - solid - played 90 mins and seemed to be getting better - not got his full pace back yet Marcelino - solid - scored a good goal and never troubled Griffin - Captain - seemed to always be upfield of his man - not a good thing but looked OK Gavilan - he'll do - vision was good - several telling passes and crosses and a good corner for the goal - downside was a LKD standard finish when 1 on 1 with the keeper Green - improving since I last saw the Reserves - far more solid and getting forward well - could be one to watch for next season - or might get a game at the end of this McClen - no change - when he stops being a prima donna and plays the ball he's solid enough but one incident when he went down in a heap and needed 'treatment' was a disgrace. Fumaca - steady but never going to set the world alight. Robinson - worked the line pretty well but needs to stop criticising bad passes. Several good runs Maric - I've said it before - he worked hard and showed some good touches but good luck wherever you end up Silvio.

A worthwhile nights entertainment.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Answers

B*ll*cks to my line up - the teams were :-

EVERTON NEWCASTLE UNITED

1 STEVE SIMONSEN 1 JOHN KARELSE 2 TONY HIBBERT 2 LAURENT CHARVET 3 CARL REGAN 3 ANDREW GRIFFIN 4 SEAN O'HANLON 4 STEPHEN CALDWELL 5 PETER CLARKE 5 MARCELINO 6 LEQN OSMAN 6 JOSE ANTUNES 7 DANNY CADAMARTERI 7 DIEGO GAVILAN 8 MITCH WARD 8 JAMIE McCLEN 9 FRANCIS JEFFERS 9 PAUL ROBINISON 10 CARL HOWVARTH 10 SILVIO MARIC 11 JAMIE MILLIGAN 11 STUART GREEN

SUBSTITUTES !SUBSTXTUTES

12 GEORGE PILKINGTON 12 SHOLA AMEOBI 14 JOHN WRIGHT 13 STEPHEN GRINDLAY 15 KEVIN McLEOD 14 KEVIN GALL 16 MATT MeKAY 15 MARK BOYD GK DEAN DELANY

& I forgot Caldwell - he looked easily as good as Marcelino and is a good prospect for the future - pity we've got 1 million Centre Halfs in front of him.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Good stuff Josh. I'm sure I speak for heaps of us expats by saying reports are always greatly appreciated as to how the bairns and rersorves are faring.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Thanks for the report Josh. Good to see the return to fitness of Charvet, Griffin, Marcellino.

I was intrigued to see that Kevin Gall is now emerging from the juniors. In a report I made on a junior game early this season I did comment that he looked like a prospect. Too small? If he's as small as Pedro we'll be all right. (-;

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

If the clearout happens as expected it will be good to see the 17-18 year olds given the reserve run outs. We'll find out at an earlier age whether they can hack it and we'll be able to call on them at an earlier age.

This is an area where we are behind the other major clubs. Does anybody have any news on the youth academy? Wasn't it going to planning soon?

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Thanks for the report Josh, it's always refreshing to see someone else's perspective on the reserves, especially when it's expressed so well. Glad we seem to agree on many of the players, I was doubting my sanity when Coppinger was shown the door. Gavilan's crosses are a bit special, aren't they? Can't wait to see him in action when YBR reckons he's ready.

EVERTON NEWCASTLE UNITED

1 STEVE SIMONSEN 1 JOHN KARELSE
2 TONY HIBBERT 2 LAURENT CHARVET
3 CARL REGAN 3 ANDREW GRIFFIN
4 SEAN O'HANLON 4 STEPHEN CALDWELL
5 PETER CLARKE 5 MARCELINO
6 LEQN OSMAN 6 JOSE ANTUNES
7 DANNY CADAMARTERI 7 DIEGO GAVILAN
8 MITCH WARD 8 JAMIE McCLEN
9 FRANCIS JEFFERS 9 PAUL ROBINISON
10 CARL HOWVARTH 10 SILVIO MARIC
11 JAMIE MILLIGAN 11 STUART GREEN

SUBSTITUTES !SUBSTXTUTES

12 GEORGE PILKINGTON 12 SHOLA AMEOBI
14 JOHN WRIGHT 13 STEPHEN GRINDLAY
15 KEVIN McLEOD 14 KEVIN GALL
16 MATT MeKAY 15 MARK BOYD
GK DEAN DELANY


-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Softie, you don't think we are going to let you duck out on this one are you , where's your report man?! Especially on the lads that haven't played much for the reserves this season.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Have a heart De Builder, I was busy officiating over the Corinthian League, no time to go dashing off to Widnes, real work to do :-)

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

No don't really blame you Softie, it's not exactly appealing....a trip to Widnes.

Thanks for the report Josh. Especially liked the bit about the 40 min scoreboard!

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000