Everton's year ended in defeat as Durham battled to a 1-0 victory in the Continental League Cup on Saturday.
Though a win for either side would not be enough to see them through to January's knock-out stages, Everton boss Brian Sorensen said ahead of the game he was still expecting a fiercely-competitive contest with the Wildcats. With Walton Hall Park deemed unplayable due to a frozen pitch, the Blues instead took to the field at the Marine Travel Arena looking to end the year on a high after their emphatic Women's Super League win against Tottenham in midweek.
Sorensen made nine changes from the side that triumphed at Brisbane Road, with academy products Abby Clarke and Annie Wilding handed their first team debuts and midfielder Izzy Christiansen captaining the side on her return from injury. But it was Durham who had the better of the action in the opening exchanges and they were rewarded for their gutsy start when Lily Crosthwaite put the Championship outfit ahead after 14 minutes.
