City complete U18 PL North campaign with Toffees defeat

Under-18 Premier League North Player of the Season nominee Teddie Lamb continued his goalscoring form, bagging his 24th league goal of the season on 15 minutes.

With the final act of the opening 45 minutes, Lamb got his 25th from the spot after Everton goalkeeper Adam Patrick clawed at Kylan Midwood’s feet to see the Blues awarded a penalty.

Everton stormed out the gates in the second half and two quick goals from Cieran Loney and Jake Doughty saw the Toffees level inside 51 minutes.

The experienced Finlay Gorman restored our lead with a fantastic left-footed shot into the top left corner.

But Everton continued to cause City problems as Loney levelled the score again three minutes after the restart.

The hosts then took a 4-3 lead through a well-hit Doughty strike in what was a chaotic 16 minutes to the second half.  

Everton’s Loney completed his hat-trick with a header at the back post and just over 15 left to play.

It was unfortunately not enough time for City to find a way back into the game as the curtain falls on our league campaign with a defeat in Merseyside but still two cup finals to look forward to.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Toffees proved tricky to break down in the opening exchanges on a mild Saturday afternoon as Finch Farm played host to our final league outing of the term.

But it would come as no surprise that in-form Teddie Lamb would finally break the deadlock on 15 minutes to nudge City ahead with a low, left-footed finish.

Malik Olayiwola replied almost instantly with a close-range effort but a great save by Ben Vickery kept City in front as the intensity from both teams continued to increase.

Finlay Gorman and Xavier Parker saw shots denied by Everton goalkeeper Adam Patrick with Oliver Reiss’ side hungry for more.

At the other end of the pitch, an important save from Vickery saw him catch Harry Brookes’ ranged effort just after the half hour, a reminder that the Toffees could find a way back into the match at any moment.

But just before the break, the perfect chance arose for City to double our lead from the penalty spot on 45 minutes. Kylan Midwood won the spot kick after Patrick spilled the ball and in an attempt to regain possession tripped the City winger.

With Lamb looking to extend his lead at the league’s top goal scorer, the Blues’ number nine sent the spot kick straight down the middle to make it two at the break.

Two changes in the back line at the break saw Yohann Obin and Freddie Lawrie introduced.

Everton took it as an opportunity to strike with City’s fresh legs unable to settle as Lawrie was dispossessed and as a result Cieran Loney pulled one back for the Toffees from close range a minute into the second half.

City continued to look a little frantic and another scramble for Reiss’ side saw us try to clear Everton’s next attack, but it only went as far as Jake Doughty who fired his finish past Vickery five minutes later.

Gorman helped settle any potential nerves on 57 minutes when the 17-year-old midfielder was teed up by Xavier Parker to thump a first-time finish into the top left corner to regain City’s lead.

But it lasted just three minutes after Everton’s Loney placed a low effort under Vickery from the left to make it 3-3.

Doughty’s curling left-footed effort was hit perfectly to nestle off the underside of City’s crossbar to put Everton ahead with momentum constantly changing in an intense 15 minutes.

Xavier Parker looked to emulate Doughty’s goal but from the opposite side. And the birthday boy was unlucky to see his effort rattle the crossbar and out for an Everton goal kick.

Loney completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes with a headed goal at the back post with Reiss’ side struggling with Everton’s intensity.  

Our young Blues fought tirelessly to try and earn a late point, but our 2025/26 Under-18 Premier League North campaign ends with a defeat to the Toffees.

HOW WE LINED UP

EVERTON XI | Patrick, Boggan, Billington, Evans, McEveley, Matos, Doughty, Brookes, Loney (Aduda 87’), Olayiwola (Murdock 66’), Moses (Wren 70’)

SUBS | Grieves.  

CITY XI | Vickery, Headley (Lawrie 46’), Drake (Obin 46’), Courtman, Tevenan, Miles (Whisker 83’), Midwood, Gorman, Lamb (T. Samba 66’), X. Parker, Cassim.

SUBS | Grigg.  

AS A RESULT

City complete the Under-18 Premier League North with 19 wins, three draws and four defeats to total 60 points at the league’s summit.

UP NEXT

Our attention now turns to our Manchester derby FA Youth Cup final.

We welcome United to the Joie Stadium on Thursday 14 May, with kick-off set for 19:00 (UK).

Details on our matchday coverage will be available in due course.