Chester 0 v Everton XI 1                                  Friendly. Wed, 31st July 2002. Kick-Off: 7.45pm.

Att: 3,141

Everton: Simonsen, O’Hanlon, Clarke, Pilkington, Naysmith, Keith Southern, Brown, Carney, Symes, Watson, McLeod.

Subs: Beck for Symes (77m), Cole, Moogan, Schumacher, Crowder.

Scorers: Clarke.

Gary Naysmith asked to play, & Steve Watson was told to play. The end result was a good work out for both players. The rest of the team was was made up of the reserve side. Evertonians knew this, but the Chester fans were misled by there own club, who were after the cash

Steve Watson, wearing number 10 played in the middle of midfield alongside Keith Southern. He played well, but seemed to get tired near the end of the game, as well as getting a bit frustrated with his team mates. Nace played at left back, & was very busy, trying to get back to full fitness.

The only goal was scored by Peter Clarke, who crashed home a shot from 5yards out, after a McLeod corner. Everton seemed to settle after the goal. Pilkington & Clarke dealt with the Chester attack with confidence.

Keith Southern was singled out for some bad tackles by the Chester midfield. Simmo had just the one shot to save, & did it well. Symes was left upfront as a target man, & won a good few headers.

Half - time: Chester 0, Everton 1

Chester started the better in the 2nd half, & nearly scored when a Michael Twiss rounded Simmo, but hit the post. Simmo was getting stick from the Chester fans, & he didn't help himself when he fell on his arse, taking a goalkick.

Everton had a few chances with a McLeod shot, & a Carney drive. Chester had a chance, but a superb block by Everton skipper, Peter Clarke put paid to that. With 20minutes left former redshite, Harkness came on to be welcomed by the Evertonians with a great rendition of Kopites are Gobshites.

With the game dragging on, Kevin McLeod, Everton's best player got the ball just outside his own box,& ran the full length of the pitch, leaving players in his wake. He got a standing ovation from both sets of fans. Peter Clarke was also a star for Everton.

I shouted Scott Brown when he came over to where his family was at the end of the game, asking him for his shirt, but he said 'I can't'. We just can't get a shirt anywhere. We played in blue shirts, blue shorts, & white socks. There was no sponsor on the shirt, & it looked the part.

Chris Jones
reports from
The Deva Stadium

Goalscorer - Clarkey

Great Game - McLeod