Widnes 0-8 Everton (Liverpool Senior Cup)

An Everton XI gave Widnes FC a lesson in the art of Football on Monday Night, as David Unsworth’s Young Blues beat the North West Counties Football League Division One side 8-0 in the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup.

In front of an attendance of 210, Everton lead 5-0 at halftime as Widnes failed to have an answer for the visitors’ fluid and incisive offensive prowess. Goals from Sam Byrne, Antony Evans, Conor McAleny, a brace from Callum Connolly and a second half Calum Dyson hat-trick completed the rout for The Toffees.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made four changes to his side that lost 4-2 at Daisy Hill on Saturday. Ben Morrow returned in goal, replacing Grant Hartley who dropped to the bench. Skipper Tom Mitchell, Jamil Campbell-Joseph and Jamie Casson returned from suspension, coming in for Braian Strutz-Rivelli, Steven Clarke and Daniel Burthem respectively, with all three players dropping to the bench.

In the First Round of the competition, Widnes defeated Ashton Town 3-0 whilst Everton received a bye to the quarter-final stage.

Everton wasted little time in taking the lead. Sam Byrne made amends for wasting a previous chance as he latched onto a through ball from strike-partner Antony Evans, before burying the ball into the back of the net.

Less than 10 minutes later, it was 2-0. An incisive, flowing attacking move from Unsworth’s side was finished off by Antony Evans, as Byrne turned provider supplying a ball to Evans who fired his effort into the roof of the net from close-range.

It was 3-0 midway through the opening 45 minutes. Byrne continued to be a nuisance for the Widnes back-four as his pull-back into the area wasn’t cleared by Alex Davies, allowing the sliding in first-teamer Conor McAleny, netting Everton’s 3rd of the evening.

The Blues increased their commanding lead shortly before the half-hour mark. The ball broke out to Callum Connolly, who opened up space for a fierce drive that whistled into the bottom corner, leaving the outstretched Widnes keeper Morrow with no chance.

Everton headed into the halftime break with an unassailable 5-0 lead. An excellent team goal from the visitors as Connolly raced forward on the left-wing, expertly finishing the move off for his side as he bagged his second goal of the afternoon.

At 5-0 down, Widnes began to work the ball forward and eventually create chances. Alex Davies burst forward on the right, picking out Jamil Campbell-Joseph with his cross, who threaded a pass to Paul Carney whose shot towards goal was charged down quickly by Jordan Thorniley.

Widnes unexpectedly came agonizingly close to pulling a goal back minutes before the break. Luke Edwards swung a free-kick into the 6-yard area that Everton keeper Mateusz Hewelt fumbled before smothering at the second attempt before Jamie Casson could toe-poke the ball home.

Halftime: Widnes 0-5 Everton

With their commanding lead, Unsworth’s side withdrew the impressive Byrne as well as Conor McAleny and Kieran Dowell, with the latter two players having first-team experience under their belt. They were replaced by the trio of Calum Dyson, Michael Donohue and Harry Charsley.

Dyson made an immediate impact. Less than a minute after his introduction from the bench, Callum Connolly’s drilled cross into the penalty area was turned home by Dyson, who scored with his first touch of the game.

He recorded his second a minute after the hour-mark. Skipper JonJoe Kenny picked Dyson out, who took a brilliant first-touch before firing his effort beyond Morrow on the half-volley to record his second of the game.

Dyson completed his hat-trick three minutes later. Kenny again sent a delicious delivery into the area that was headed down by Evans into the path of Dyson, who converted from close-range to complete a mightily impressive 19-minute hat-trick.

Widnes played for pride in the end, holding firm defensively despite Everton pressing for a ninth goal of the night as time began to tick away, with the visitors reaching the semi-final in comfortable fashion.

Fulltime: Widnes 0-8 Everton

The professionals were outstanding on the night, running Widnes ragged with their superb passing ability and movement. They were simply too much for Widnes too handle, with the gulf in class between a team of professionals and a team who ply their trade at the 10th level of English football.

Widnes are without a game this weekend, with their next fixture being a home meeting with Rochdale Town on Saturday 12th December; kick-off 3pm.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), Davies (Clarke 50), Carney, Cartwright, Mitchell (C), Lomax, Casson (Burthem 72), McCarthy, Wynne (Stanley 72), Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Strutz-Rivelli, Hartley (GK).

Everton: Hewelt (GK), Kenny (C), Connolly, Walsh, Thorniely, Feeney, Dowell (Donohue 46), Davies, Byrne (Dyson 46), Evans, McAleny (Charsley (46).

Subs not used: Williams, Gray (GK).