Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Molyneux, Irving, Hughes, Phelan, Connor, Kearney, Vaughan, Anichebe, Morrison

Bench: Spencer, Jones, Agard, Elder (Morrison), Densmore (Connor) .

Scorers: Molyneux, Vaughan

James Vaughan netted the winner in a bad tempered Mini Derby in Widnes last night. Six bookings, one sending off (Jerzy the Clown), and three goals kept the amazing crowd of over 5,500 well entertained.

Lee Molyneux opened the scoring after seven minutes with a superb left footer from twenty yards out to give Dudek no chance in the shite sticks. Dickie Wright was kept busy and pulled off some good saves, as the shite pressed. They drew level on 27 minutes, when local boy, not, El Zhar netted from the spot. Must have been his Blue Boots! In fact the shite could have gone 2-1 up after they were gifted another penalty but Zenden stepped up to take this one, and dragged his effort wide.

One all at the half, and it all went belly up for the shite in the second period, when Dudek was sent off after raising his arms on Big Vic, and a huge melee ensued. The Polish misfit got his marching orders, and Big Vic a yellow for his troubles. Everton sensed victory and on the 63rd minute, Vaughany pounced to give the Blues a well deserved victory, when he beat the offside trap to coolly slot the winner past the shite's substitute keeper.

So the second string have emulated the big boys and got one over our deadliest rivals, and also like the big boys they remain unbeaten this season. Moyesy was an interested spectator last night, running his eye over Vaughany and the returning Tony Hibbert, and he would have been happy with what he saw.

Moyesy on Vaughany says: "James has got a long way to go as he has been out for a year but he will enjoy the goal and quite right because he deserved it. It will do his confidence the world of good. He has only been back in training a couple of weeks and things have been stop-start for him because he also had an operation on his hand, so now we need to get as much work into him as we possibly can.

He would have been playing by now and would have been in the first team squad. We know he has a talent and the hard thing for him has been missing a crucial year of his development. He has missed playing against experienced pros and missed a year training with the first team but we will do our best to get that back once we can get him back towards full fitness."

Moyesy on Hibbo says: " Hibbo needed the match practice. It has been stop-start for him but we were pleased he got a game. He needed that workout. He has always been in my thoughts. Provided he comes through everything without any reaction, we’ll consider him for Middlesbrough."

Don’t Call Me Jimmy By The Blue Surfer

Another Prodigal Son returns to the Blue ranks. Not Andy (Andrew) but Jimmy (James)! In a colourful display reminiscent of his namesake Frankie, James Vaughan had his pedal to the metal at Halton Stadium on Tuesday evening and lead the Blues to the early season double over the Shite. The reserve Derby, played out in front of a bumper crowd of over 5,500 spectators. More than they get here for a Widnes Vikings home match.

A good start with the Blues eagerly snapping away at the Reds, and a bullish beginning begat a free kick on the edge of the box. A glorious curling shot from Molyneux made the top corner of the net bulge splendidly in the floodlit night.

After being out for so long recently, you’d expect Vaughan to be stepping a mite gingerly, but none of it. Though sporting a lower arm protector to boot, he was clobbering and sliding strongly into every tackle. A might too enthusiastically on one occasion according to the ref. Very commendable. And speaking of clobbering, a red found out to his cost midway through the first half that it doesn’t pay to be too slick on the ball in a reserve Derby. Ouch!

All this was much appreciated by the gathered tribe of Blue, particularly a long lean fellah sitting by me, who reminded of an old mate of mine from Gwladys Street in the ‘60’s. He himself went on to perform throughout the contest like Clint Eastwood on Speed! Razor sharp and deadly of mouth. All good clean fun! Well most of it! Later in the half, in true Shite tradition, 2 penalties were awarded to them in 10 minutes, in front of the Widnes Kop!

The first one was converted, so to speak, and the second laughingly pulled wide by Bobo Zenden. Looked like he went to sleep on the job! One each at the break and half time entertainment consisted of a bit of jig a jig from the Blue pom pomettes, wearing the shortest shorts seen since Gary Lineker!

The 2nd half was entertaining enough without setting the world on fire, but did explode in the latter stages when the ludicrously named Jersey Dudek took exception to the raking challenge of the imposing Victor Anichebe. Fight night came to town, with most of the players swapping pushes and handbags, with Du trying to Deck several fine fellows in Blue. At the end of the melee, Dudek was off and battle re-commenced, this time with the ball!

With around 20 minutes to go, a decent punt from tricky Dickie Wright was enthusiastically received by the evening’s main man James Vaughan, who commenced a powerful and determined run to cement the winning moment. A just reward for a fine and vigorous performance.

The next fixture here is against Man Citeh on Halloween. I wonder who’ll bewitch us that night. The Blue Surfer. (11/10/06)

PRE MATCH

Andy Holden takes a strong line up to face the shite in Widnes tonight as the City's second elevens face each other in the Mini Derby. Andy van, Tony Hibbert, Dickie Wright, Big Vic, Vaughny and Yozzer Hughes are the players with first team experience, as the Blues try and build on an unbeaten start to their season. Andy has paired Big Vic alongside Vaughny with Andy Van firing in the bullets as he tries to emulate the first team in humbling the shite again this season. If you are thinking of going get there in good time as a crowd over 1500 is expected, you have been warned.

Andy Holden says: "We always look forward to the mini-derbies and I think there will be a good gate at Widnes. I think we might get 1,500 maybe 2,000 there and we can only thank them for their support." (10/10/06)

Everton from: Wright, Hibbert, Molyneux, Irving, Hughes, Phelan, van der Meyde, Kearney, Vaughan, Anichebe, Morrison, Spencer, Jones, Agard, Elder, Connor.