Everton Reserves 1

Man City Reserves 0

EVERTON Reserves opened their FA Carling Reserve League season with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Auto Quest Stadium on Monday.

Everton nearly took an early lead through Sean O'Hanlon but his powerful header was well saved by Tommy Wright in the City goal.

Both sides had decent chances to open the scoring during then first half with the lively Chris Shuker providing some good opportunities for City.

Whatever Everton coach Andy Holden said in his half time team talk brought dividends almost straight away. Two minutes into the second half Cadamarteri was upended in the area by former Chelsea and Leeds defender Danny Granville and referee, Bannister, had his easiest decision of night to award Everton a penalty.

Phil Jevons converted the spot kick and the Everton striker almost doubled his tally on 55 minutes after great work on the wing by Kevin McLeod found him in space at the far post, but his first time shot thundered against the woodwork and City cleared the danger.

Everton totally controlled the second half and O'Hanlon had another great header which cannoned off the cross bar.

For all their dominance Everton still only had one goal to show for it and almost paid dearly when Terry Cooke should have levelled for City in the dying minutes, but his shot was well blocked by the Everton defence.

All in all, this was a game Everton deserved to win but just couldn't turn their superiority into more goals.

Everton's man-of-the-matcH was Kevin McLeod who ran the City defence ragged all night.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.