DEFEAT by Leeds United summed up Everton U-18s’ recent woes in front of goal, according to boss Kevin Sheedy.
The young Blues comfortably created more chances than the visitors during Saturday’s 1-0 reverse, but lacked a clinical edge in front of goal when it mattered.
“We dominated the game in difficult conditions,” said Sheedy. “But even though we created plenty of clear chances, some individuals did not put them away.
“Then we left ourselves wide open and Leeds scored from a corner. It’s very frustrating.”
Sheedy’s anger was compounded when his side were guilty of the same failings in a 2-1 defeat by Middlesbrough on Tuesday at Finch Farm.
“We scored a really good goal to open the scoring and then wasted another four clear opportunities to make it 2-0,” he said.
“Then they came more and more into it and got an equaliser before going on to score the winner.
“It’s been a glaring problem and we’re doing lots of finishing work with our forwards trying to improve their whole repertoire of goal scoring.
“We’ve had Hallam Hope, who has shown a tremendous attitude and work ethic and he’s been scoring for us consistently but otherwise we’ve been struggling.”
Hope’s finish against Middlesbrough was similar to the delicate dink over the advancing keeper he netted for the reserves against Blackburn Rovers on Monday.”
Everton now face Manchester United at Finch Farm on Saturday in the final game of their Premier Academy League season.
“It’s a good one to finish with,” added Sheedy. “They’ll field a strong team as ever and so will we. We’ve beaten them once already this season and can do again.”
