Town's under-18 side performed excellently and deserved at least a point against their high-flying counterparts from Everton on Saturday.
Under-16 manager Chris Howarth took the team and will have been delighted to see his side race into an early two goal lead.
Winger Aiden Chippendale netted the first goal of the game after seven minutes, cutting inside from the left flank before hitting a tremendous foot with his weaker right foot into the top right corner of the Everton goal from the edge of the box.
'Chippy' was at it again in the 20th minute, hitting another superb drive that the goalkeeper turned around the post. Ryan Watson took the resulting corner and Leigh Franks headed the ball down at the far post, allowing striker Shane Birtles (pictured above) to bravely stoop and head the ball home just before getting a boot in the side from the custodian for his trouble!
Everton pulled a goal back just before the half-time whistle through a free-kick and went on to clinch all three points with a second-half brace, but Howarth told htafc.com that he was happy with his side:
"Everton are second in their Academy division, but when I spoke to my opposite number Neil Dewsnip following the final whistle he admitted that we more than matched them throughout the ninety minutes.
"I was delighted with the performance of the side, but I was disappointed for the lads that Everton managed to nick a winner - they deserved more for their efforts.
"I thought Leigh Franks in particular did excellently against striker Jose Baxter, who has experience in the Premier League for Everton's first team. Along with 'Franko', I thought Liam Ridehalgh and Jimmy Spencer did very well too but the entire team deserve credit."
Town's Team (4-4-2):
Lloyd Allinson; Liam Ridehalgh, Leigh Franks (c), Adam Field, Josh McClean; Aiden Chippendale, Chris Atkinson, Ryan Watson, Adam Bower; James Spencer, Shane Birtles
Unused Subs: Jordan Porter, Greg Pearson, Israel Johnson, Jordan Sinnott
