Bray Wanderers 0 Everton 4 / Attn: 3256 / Scorers: Jeffers 25m, 44m McFadden 78m, Chadwick 89m.

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Unsworth, Naysmith, Nyarko, .Gemmill, Carsley, McFadden, Campbell, Jeffers.

Bench: Martyn, Watson (Unsworth 46m), Radzinski (Campbell 46m), Chadwick (Chadwick 73m), Kilbane.

A few of us met up in the Hibernian before the game. It was fairly packed and there was a constant stream of people going into the ground so it looked like a good crowd for the match. No matter how miserable you felt before the game, maybe because of your shit day in work, or because of some big fat bloke’s crotch leaning against your leg for the duration of the sardine DART trip to the ground, good oul’ Bazza was there with his side-kick brother, showing so much enthusiasm that you would think we were playing in the Intertoto final.

A minute’s silence was observed before the start for Tommy Eglington, just a pity the same didn't happen at Goodison last Saturday. In the 1st half Everton played towards the bowling alley end, with a strong side out and the pitch looked in very good condition. It was a scrappy start to the game, apart from some good work from McFadden on the wing, which got the crowd going. Nyarko was playing the ball around nicely from the centre of the park. It was clear to see that Everton have mastered the ability to have good possession and then ruin it by finishing it off with a hopeful ball that runs out or by whacking it off a tree outside the ground. Bray’s answer to Mario Melchiot was playing at centre back and was winning a few tackles. Campbell was trying to lead the line but what looked like a combination of lazyness and just bad supply ended up with Bray possession. It was good to see Weir and Wright get a run out. On 25 mins another great run from McFadden down the left finished with a lovely low curling pass across the goal that bypassed the defence and Jeffers couldn’t miss at the back post. Bray then started to come into the game with some crisp passing and a lot of pressure down the right flank, which Naysmith dealt with intermittently. A good cross into the penalty spot ended up with a fine shot that Wright did well to hold. On 44 mins Melchiot, who had a good game otherwise, made a diabolical effort of a back pass to his right full back that had as much weight in it as one of those half time chip trays. Carsley easily intercepted, closed down on goal and looked like he was going to shoot from a tight angle, but passed it generously across the goal to Franny who took his time to control it and fired it past the keeper’s right into the net.

Half Time: Bray Wanderers 0 Everton 2.

After popping out to the Bowling alley for some higher quality toilet facilities, I took someone else’s seat behind the goal that the Toffees were now shooting into (confident or what!). Watson came on for Unsworth and played on the right wing with Nyarko dropping into defence. The Rad replaced Campbell. But of course the first 15 mins or so of the second half was played down the other end with some great passing and pressure from Bray. They were a bit unlucky not to score during this period with a couple of shots and some important clearances from the Blues. We started to get back into the game with some confident running again down the left from McFadden. Gemmil showed during the game why he hasn’t been involved this season, apart from a bit of link up play with Watson down the right which ended up in a good cross from Scot that came to nothing. A Watson effort was then sandwiched between two good chances from Radzinski. Firstly, the Rad was set up by Carsley and from about 10 yards and a tight angle he managed to scuff his shot that the keeper picked up at the near post. Then a pass into the box from McFadden saw Watson strike a shot that if Tomasz had dummied, it would have nestled in the right hand corner. Rad was sent clear again and with the Bray keeper flying out he tried to chip him but it just cleared the bar. Carsley did a good impression of Gravesen during the game with some good passing and setting up a couple of Bray attacks. Lee found himself in a lot of space in the centre of the park and went on a powerful run to the edge of the box and on hindsight should have shot as his pass to Watson wasn’t great. Chadwick came on for Jeffers in the 73rd minute. McFadden continued his good game popping up on the right a couple of times. He was really pissing off the Bray defence who were trying to go in hard but had no answer to his skill and determination. On 78min he got the goal he deserved when he beat 2 defenders down the left with a mazy run, and while holding off a third who was forcing him wide he managed to drill a shot low and hard past the keeper from a tight angle. Momentarily he also thought we were in that Intertoto final and he punched the air in triumph. Chadwick was looking a bit awkward until he did well to get on the end of a cross that he put just over. Then on 89mins a good shot from Watson was fumbled by the keeper and Chadwick banged it in. The Bray keeper was substituted immediately for his mistake. The Blues had obviously held back some in reserve. On the final whistle they all sprinted for their prefab dressing room as the pitch was invaded by a wave of psycho kids.

Match Report from Ronan Healy. Thanx Ronan

Well about fucking time lads. After 8 long years the boys in blue finally return to the Emerald Isle .Whether it was the fiasco of the Home Farm connection or just not having the funds for the flights didn't matter to the 6,000 strong crowd who turned up last night to see Everton take on Irish Premier Division side Bray Wanderers.There was early disappointment when it emerged that The Duke and Big Dunc decided to stay at home,but this was made easier when we learned that Gravesen had stayed away too!It was great to arrive at the ground and see so many blues in the crowd(especially kids-take note kopites!).As the programmers ran out after about 3 minutes it was frenzy time about who'd start up front."The Rad and Super for deffo" was replied with "bollox Franny and Rad".The former was correct.Moyesy decided to go with Tricky in net with a back four of Hibbo,Weir,Rhino and Nace.In midfield we had McFadden,Nyarko,Carsley and Gemmill.The game started with the usual friendly jousting and was tame until Nace finally got free from his man and whipped a ball in for Franny to slot home unmarked from 6 yards.The home side started to pass the ball around without really threatening to score.Carsley was controlling midfield with the lively Gemmill backing him up with some solid tackles.As we were all getting ready for our half time rosy,Carsley latched onto a sloppy back pass from the otherwise excellent Wesley Charles to set up Franny for his second on the stroke of half-time.It was now a stroll by the seaside for the blues.Moysey sent on Watson and Rad for Rhino and Super at the break and it seemed to unsettle us.The second half saw Nyarko go to centre half alongside Weir but the home team started to put some nice moves together and while not forcing Tricky to get dirty,had some nice moves ending only in shots wide or over the bar.Then Franny was replaced with Chadwick on 73 and Everton started to take control.In the 78th minute Faddy,who had been anonymous,took the ball about 30 yards out and ran at the defense taking it past 2 men and slotting home.As the home team are still in pre-season the fitness started to tell near the end and Chadwick netted the final goal with virtually the last kick.A nice booster for the blues,even though the crowd were disappointed not to see Zinedine get a run.Overall a happy night from a blue perspective and a nice few Euro for Bray Wanderers. Don't leave it so long next time lads!

Match Report from J. from www.irish-toffees.com

Thanx J

A Franny Jeffers double, and second half strikes from Faddy and Nick Chadwick, earned the Blues a comfortable 4-0 win against Irish League side Bray. Richard Wright made a welcome return in the Everton sticks and was called into action on a few occasions, but other than that, he had enough time to plan his next DIY assault on his house back home. Also on the comeback trail was Davey Weir, who came through ninety unscathed minutes, and all in all it was a good work out for the boys. (03/03/04)

David Moyes takes a strong squad for the friendly against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Ground in County Wicklow.

David Moyes says: "Richard and David need to get some football under their belts. They've not played for a while and with no game this Saturday I felt it would be a good time to arrange a friendly."(02/03/04)

Everton from: Wright, Martyn, Weir, Unsworth, Hibbert, Gemmill, Carsley, Watson, Naysmith, McFadden, Campbell, Radzinski, Chadwick, Jeffers, Kilbane, Nyarko.