Aggie Beever-Jones hit an Everton "milestone" on Wednesday after netting her first goal for the club in the Blues' Conti Cup shootout win against Aston Villa.
Everton came into the game looking to claim a second victory in just five days against the Villans, making eight changes from the side that triumphed in the West Midlands on Saturday afternoon. It was the vistors who had the better of the action in the first half, forcing Manchester United loanee Emily Ramsey into a point-blank save from Villa captain Rachel Corsie inside the first 15 minutes.
Carla Ward's side made their dominance count shortly after the restart, with Welsh international Natasha Harding slotting the ball past Ramsey on 48 minutes. The introduction of Manchester City loanee Jess Park proved the catalyst for an Everton fight-back; the 21-year-old feeding the ball into the path of Beever-Jones who rounded Anna Leat to net her first goal of the season.
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The match ended all square after 90 minutes, enabling Ramsey to make herself the hero by making two crucial shootout saves to secure Brian Sorensen's side a bonus point to kickstart their Conti Cup campaign. More than 1,000 fans turned out at Walton Hall Park, and on-loan Chelsea striker Beever-Jones was delighted to make her home debut after returning from a training ground injury that has hampered her game time so far this term.
“The Everton fans are what keep me going," Beever-Jones told the ECHO after the game. "I said at half time I was tired because I’m obviously coming back from injury, but hearing them cheer just kept me going. I’m obviously delighted Jess gave me the ball and I was able to score.”
Reflecting on the quality within the Everton squad, the 19-year-old said: “I think within the whole team we have such great players. All the way from Rambo in goal saving the penalties and helping us get the win, the quality in the team is just so good and players like Jess are able to feed me so I’m happy.
“Brian said this week we could put anyone from the bench in the starting lineup, like Kenzie (Weir) making her starting debut today and doing really well. The quality is insane in our team and everyone came on and did their jobs.”
And the manager was pleased with Beever-Jones' contribution in what was just her second start of the season. Sorensen said: “Aggie’s good. It’s nice to have her back and the drive she comes with and the pace.
"I think as a team we were lacking a bit with our decision making in the final third but we’re getting the opportunities and we look better and better so I’m happy.”
Everton have a few days to recover before they take on joint league leaders Manchester United in the Women's Super League on Sunday. The Blues have fared well in the WSL so far this season, currently sitting fourth in the table after picking up three wins in their first five games, and the manager feels his side are well prepared for a big test against the Red Devils at the weekend.
“I think, as a whole, our squad is ready to face that, because we have been able to give some players a break and have been managing the load pretty well," Sorensen said.
"So going into the United game we are physically as prepared as we can be and it's going to hopefully be a great game. Of course we have to show ourselves from the best side because it is a top team but we’re ready for the challenge.”
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