Birmingham 4, Everton 3. / Wed. 18th Sep 2002. / Attn: /
Played @ Damson Park, home of Solihull Borough.

Everton: Wright, Watson, Pilkington, Southern, Naysmith, Osman, Gemmill. Carsley, McLeod, Ferguson, Chadwick.

Subs: Simonsen, Crowder, Brown, Carney, Moogan.

Everton put out a very strong team in this goals galore game. The best news for us was that all the 1st team players got through 90minutes. Yes including Big Dunc. His fellow striker, Chadders got a brace. This was Everton's 1st defeat of the season. As well as the 1st game they had let a goal in.

Richard Wright: Looked ok. Let in 4 goals, but could only be blamed for one, which is enough. Looked confident, but missed one cross.
Steve Watson: Scored Everton's 3rd with a header. Got forward well. Still some dodgy passing.
George Pilkington: Won a lot of headers in the centre of the defence. A bit slow to react on one of the goals.
Southern: Average game. Kept going the whole game.
Naysmith: Got up with the forwards on a few ocassions. Put in a few good tackles. His ankle looked ok.
Osman: Had a stormer. Always involved. Set up a few chances. Good touch. Good use of the ball. Great run for Chadders 2nd goal.
Gemmill: Another game under his belt. Lasted well for the 90 minutes. Good kink up play. A bit slow in getting back for his defensive duties.
Carsley: Did nothing wrong, but wasn't involved much.
McLeod: Up & down the left. He put over some great crosses. Missed a couple of challenges.
Ferguson: Great to see him in a blue shirt. Played full 90 minutes. Looked ok. Hit the bar with a header. Could have scored a couple, but fitness let him down.
Chadwick: Scored 2. Could have had a hat-trick. Did well. If you had to pick a striker for Sunday. Chadders would be the 1.

Stars play for Reserves

Duncan Ferguson may play in this one, but the club won't say if he's a definite starter. Moyesy says: “Duncan trained all last week and if he goes ok today and tomorrow, we would hope to see him in action on Wednesday. We’re taking things day by day with him, but his biggest problem at the moment is a lack of match fitness.”

Steve Watson, Lee Carsley, Toby Linderoth and Kevin McLeod are all expected to play at Birmingham.

Joe Max-Moore seems to have the right attitude when he says: "I stretched the tendons during our game with Poland in the World Cup. I was hoping that I'd be ready for the new season but it flared up again. It's been a very frustrating time for me but I am determined to play myself back into the first team here." (17/09/02)