Dan Cummerson looks back on a memorable night at the Delta Taxis Stadium
Everton Reserves battled their way into the Liverpool Senior Cup Semi-Final with a hard fought victory over Vodkat Premier League side Bootle on Tuesday evening.
The oldest Merseyside derby has been like a sleeping giant for many years, 117 to be exact, and it certainly didn't disappoint.
The Toffees may have brought a young reserve side on the short trip to Bootle but there was some European experience amongst the starting line-up. Hope Akpan, James McCarten and Luke Garbutt all found themselves, somewhat surprisingly, on the bench for Everton's Europa League tie with Bate Borisov at Goodison Park in December, when David Moyes fielded a very inexperienced side as Everton were already guaranteed a place in the last 32 of the competition.
The game was played out in front of a bumper sell out crowd at Delta Taxis Stadium and it took Everton until five minutes from time to finally dispatch of their non-league opponents, when midfielder Luke Codling was the quickest to react to Hope Akpan's saved penalty to put the result beyond doubt.
Although the hosts controlled the majority of the first half, the sides could not be separated at the break after sharing a thrilling four goal opening 45 minutes. It took just seven minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock, Karl Sheppard was hauled back inside the area by Sean Coulton following a direct charge into the Bootle box and referee Scregg had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, Sheppard dusted himself down and confidently slotted the ball passed Mark Mawdsley.
The goal didn't seem to have a negative effect on the hosts and they continued to play a fluent passing game which saw Anthony Hickey go close following a mazy run by Andy Fowler. With a quarter of the game gone Bootle deservedly levelled, Chris Tyson's deflected shot crashed off the bar into the path of Danny O'Connor who headed the equaliser.
Just five minutes later Bootle had the lead; Andy Fowler's corner was cleared to Chris Tyson who unleashed a thunderous 25 yard volley passed Connor Roberts in the Everton goal and the home side must have been dreaming about what they could achieve.
Bootle then almost grabbed a third, Coulton latching onto a free kick inside the Everton penalty area only for his header to go wide of the goal. The home side's confidence was evident and they continued to put their highly regarded visitors on the back foot, but despite some stalwart defending throughout they were caught napping on the half hour when Everton captain James McCarten was left unmarked to easily head past Mawdsley and ensure the half ended all square.
The second half failed to ignite and lack of match practice was clearly in evidence during the latter stages of the game. Bootle have had a host of matches postponed due the severe weather conditions while Everton's reserves haven't been in action since November.
Neither side could get into their stride and it took almost 25 minutes for the first effort on goal, it fell to Bootle's ex Everton striker Andy Fowler who found himself one on one with Roberts but could only fire his shot straight at the Everton 'keeper.
A minute later and Everton restored the lead, Luke Dobie's free kick from the edge of the area deflected off Jamie Hay and looped into the net leaving Mawdsley helpless in the Bootle goal, before Codling's tap in confirmed the victory.
Dan Cummerson
