Everton Under-17 made an impressive start in the Bermuda Triangle Cup by winning 6-0 against the National Academy Under-15 team at North Field, National Sports Centre, last night.

Ray Robert and Jonathan Nsangou found the target twice each for Everton, with the other goals coming from Malik Olayiwola and Jake Doughty.

Scott Phelan, the Everton coach, was pleased to start the tournament with a convincing victory.

“I’m really happy for us to play some football,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We landed on Monday, the lads had a couple of training sessions and they were desperate to start a match in the tournament. Everybody is excited to play, not just our boys, obviously the organisers and other teams that are competing.

“We didn't know what to expect. We were trying to concentrate on the information we have given the boys and see how often they can execute the ideas that we’re trying to share with them.

“We certainly had control of the ball for the better part of the game. Our finishing was good in certain moments, even though we were also wasteful.”

The English club made a bright start when they took the lead four minutes into the encounter with a fine finish from Robert. Superb goalkeeping from Xavier Thomas-Bassett denied Nsangou in the eighth minute.

Robert completed his brace in the twelfth minute from close range. The striker turned provider in the fifteenth minute for Olayiwola.

Nsangou got his first in the 21st minute before getting his double a minute before half-time, for Everton to lead 5-0 heading into the break.

Five minutes into the second half Nsangou was denied a hat-trick by Nuri Latham, the substitute goalkeeper, who pushed the ball out for a corner. Latham used his feet to keep out Nsangou’s effort once again.

Doughty added a sixth for Everton in the 58th minute. Some splendid goalkeeping by Latham ensured that the under-15s did not concede any further with three crucial saves to keep out Everton’s attackers.

Rylan DeSilva had the best opportunity for Vashun Blanchette’s side when his powerful shot rattled the crossbar with five minutes to play.

Phelan commended the Bermudian youngsters for putting on a courageous display against more mature opponents.

“They showed really good character and courage to keep going until the final whistle,” the former England Under-18 midfielder said.

“They showed some quality in certain moments as individuals. It’s not easy when you’re playing against some older players, but the fact that they kept going shows some determination and courage.

“They do possess important qualities that will definitely help them as they continue to progress and get older.”

Everton, who have a break today before facing Somerset Trojans Under-18 in their last group B match tomorrow, suffered a setback when centre back John Dodds limped off with a swollen knee.

“We don’t know how bad the injury is and we’ll have a proper check when we get back to the hotel,” Phelan said.

“Fingers crossed it’s not too serious, but it didn't look good when he came off the field. We’ll only know once the swelling settles down.

“There might be a change for our next match if John is not ready to play. We brought a squad to play; all the boys represent our club regardless of who plays.

“We brought 15 outfield players and two goalkeepers. We lost one of our players, Dafi-Tomos Pemberton, to injury at training, so we've 14 outfield players remaining.”

Meanwhile, in the match played earlier, Bermuda’s Brazil Football School Select won 2-0 against defeated National Academy Under-17. Xave Thomas and Jahzion Taylor scored for BBFS in the second half.

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