Seasons2019-20Everton News

U23s win through last-minute Simms strike at Watford

Michael Kenrick Thursday, 21 February, 2020 22comments  |  Jump to last

Everton U23s came away from Watford with all the spoils thanks to a last-minute winner from Ellis Simms in their final group game of this season's Premier League Cup.

The Blues were already assured a place in the last-16 of a competition they won last season.

In the dying moments of a close game, Liam Higgins, appearing for the first time at this level, who had replaced Seb Quirk on 72 mins, found Simms with a very smart pass and, as usual, he provided an unerring finish for his 12th goal of the season.

Prior to that moment of quality, the game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw. Tyler Onyango was denied early on — the keeper diving bravely to stop the young midfielder's effort after an excellent free-kick delivery from Rhys Hughes.

Hughes wasn't too far away himself on 38 minutes when he created some space on the edge of the box and curled his shot just wide. The same player could have scored a couple of minutes after the break but he didn't strike his close-range effort cleanly enough and it was comfortably saved.

On 74 minutes, Manasse Mampala skipped past a couple of challenges only to see his final effort smothered by the keeper.

Everton U23s: Tyrer, John, Joe Anderson, Onyango, Astley, Ouzounidis, Mampala, Denny, Simms, Quirk [Y:57'] (72' Higgins), Hughes (63' Branthwaite).
Subs: Hansen, Dobbin, Jon Anderson.

 

Reader Comments (22)

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Derek Knox
1 Posted 20/02/2020 at 20:45:54
I did enjoy watching the game against Derby, although the conditions were pretty awful on the night. I wouldn't imagine we will be able to watch this game, but you never know what YouTube may come up with.

Wish the lads all the best on the night and hopefully get another win.

Phill Thompson
2 Posted 20/02/2020 at 23:16:11
“We will make as many changes as we can” is an interesting comment. The U18s play Saturday and they have a young team anyway so possibly only Quirk, Onyango and Dobbin would be moved up, maybe Rhys Hughes given a chance, but he's the usual U18 captain.

Korede Adeydoin is now back after his loan at Hamilton; Josh Hosie as U18 right-back would be worth a look to see if he'll get a contract; maybe Tom Cannon up front... but it's hard to think of many more ready for a step up to the U23s even in a one-off match with nothing to lose.

Dave Abrahams
3 Posted 21/02/2020 at 09:33:20
Phill (2), not being funny but they can use Niasse as an over age player to make the numbers up, better than leaving him idle.
Phill Thompson
4 Posted 21/02/2020 at 12:51:38
Dave, yeah I guess so and in the past Oumar has asked to play at U23s and in fairness to him he always gives his all.
But we have it seems been working hard to move older players on giving younger players a chance at this level. Its a dead game give the youngsters a go, the difference in their size and physicality compared to Oumar may cost us, but heh ho. I'll accept that getting better fitness for 1st team players may be a necessity.
John Dean
5 Posted 21/02/2020 at 13:01:03
Derby County are still showing the whole of last Friday night's game on their website (dcfc.com). They used more cameras than Everton did and had replay features as well as commentators who added more insights than the banalities provided by Ian Snodin. So many clubs now provide a much better service to their u23 followers than we do.
Derek Knox
6 Posted 21/02/2020 at 13:41:52
John @ 5, a point I have ben making for quite some time now, we are still in the dark ages when it comes to have a Club TV Channel. We have aspirations of European Qualification and entering into what should be one of the best Stadiums in the Country, yet we haven't addressed the issue of Everton F.C. TV.

If you look at some of even the smaller Clubs in Scotland, Raith Rovers (matchdays only) springs to mind, they have their own channel too. Let's hope something is in the pipeline so we can emulate our rivals, and get into the twenty-first century.

Phill Thompson
7 Posted 21/02/2020 at 14:47:56
Everybody is better than us at showing U23s games, it's embarrassing. Plymouth Argyle also had the last PL Cup game on their web site, it's worth a look 4-0 win, Ellis Simms MoM.
John Dean
8 Posted 21/02/2020 at 15:40:51
Thanks Phill but I'm afraid my tinterweb skills are such that I couldn't find the video on their website. Any tips as to where I'd find it?
David Cooper
9 Posted 21/02/2020 at 18:03:06
Just googled Watford FC website. Apparently a streaming service called Scorebat shows their u23 matches. Kick off is 2pm EST.
Brent Stephens
10 Posted 21/02/2020 at 18:11:04
Going to see if this works:
Link
Phill Thompson
11 Posted 21/02/2020 at 18:54:58
Team for tonight :
18:21
Team news

Everton: Tyrer, John, Anderson (Joe), Onyango, Astley, Ouzounidis, Mampala, Denny, Simms, Quirk, Hughes: Subs: Branthwaite, Hansen, Dobbin, Higgins, Anderson (Jonathan)

Brent Stephens
12 Posted 21/02/2020 at 18:59:31
Average age reducing?!
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 21/02/2020 at 19:00:54
Doesn't look as if there's any live feed on the link above.
Phill Thompson
14 Posted 21/02/2020 at 19:01:54
John Dean #8. Hopefully this link for Plymouth v Everton U23s works.

Sorry not working :-(


https://youtu.be/oxXCMnKDKL8

Maybe this or search Plymouth Argyle U23s on YouTube

https://youtu.be/oxXCMnKDKL8

John Dean
15 Posted 21/02/2020 at 19:07:06
Thanks, Phill. I'll enjoy watching that later.
Dave Abrahams
16 Posted 21/02/2020 at 20:53:56
Simms scored the winner with a last minute goal, finished 1-0.
Brent Stephens
17 Posted 21/02/2020 at 20:56:10
Everton site describes it as: "Debutant Higgins finds Simms and, as usual, he provides an erring finish for his 12th goal of the season"!

Think they mean "unerring"!

Unless it was a "herring" (dropped haitch) finish, whatever that is.

Robert Tressell
18 Posted 21/02/2020 at 21:09:56
Really interesting to see how far Simms can go. Wonder if someone will come in for a loan next season.
Dave Abrahams
19 Posted 21/02/2020 at 21:11:00
Liam Higgins is an Under-16 Welsh international midfielder, comfortable on either wing, clever with the ball and has an impressive turn of pace. Described to me by a man in the know on another Everton website.
Derek Knox
20 Posted 21/02/2020 at 06:52:19
Brent @ 17, sounds fishy to me whichever it is. :-)
Alan McGuffog
22 Posted 26/02/2020 at 08:08:55
Brent... they write stuff like that just for the halibut.
Derek Thomas
23 Posted 26/02/2020 at 09:53:20
The keeper leapt like a tin of salmon, but Simms plaiced it in the top corner of the net... I cod you not.

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