Everton Under-21s were left to rue missing several golden opportunities while leading as they were held to a 1-1 draw by their Liverpool counterparts in the Mini Derby at Southport’s Haig Avenue after going down to 10 men.
The Blues took the lead 13 minutes into the contest as Norwegian midfielder Einar Iversen delivered a reaching ball over the top of the Liverpool defence to find Mills who netted with a delicately lobbed effort over advancing goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga. Everton continued to fashion the better of the chances with Mills again going close with a back post header from Katia Kouyate’s left wing cross.
Jenson Metcalfe, who was one of the most-creative outlets among Paul Tait’s hard-working side, despatched an inviting free-kick across the face of the Liverpool area but Everton couldn’t get a body on the end of it while centre-forward Francis Okoronkwo twice flashed efforts just wide. Indeed, the Reds’ best opportunity of the first half came when the otherwise impressive Blues keeper Billy Crellin almost got caught out with what would have been a self-inflicted wound.
