Everton’s academy development chief David Hughes was left frustrated after his Under-21 side suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat against Stockport County in their opening EFL Trophy encounter at Edgeley Park. The young Toffees found themselves three goals behind at the interval but showed resilience to draw level before ultimately succumbing to a comprehensive loss in front of 1,538 spectators.
Hughes, who joined the club in early July, explained to reporters that his team approaches every match with ambitions of victory while maintaining standards befitting the club’s heritage. He acknowledged that conceding three times before the break presented a significant challenge that required immediate improvement. While he found positives in the response that followed, he emphasised that the primary objective remains winning regardless of the opposition.
The opening 45 minutes proved particularly disappointing for Hughes, who felt his players failed to meet expected standards and showed insufficient ambition in their forward play. He noted a passive approach that allowed their opponents to dominate through avoidable mistakes. The second half brought a marked improvement as the squad demonstrated the qualities asked of them from the start, drawing level and showing considerable character in the process. However, subsequent unforced errors that led to further goals left Hughes deeply frustrated, though he stressed the valuable lessons this experience would provide.
Several positives emerged from the difficult evening, with Everton’s goalscorers catching the eye. Braiden Graham contributed significantly to all three of his side’s goals with two strikes of his own, while Joel Catesby also found the net. Catesby’s appearance was particularly noteworthy given the serious injury he sustained during a similar competition at Bradford City previously. Melvin Matos received praise for his battling display in midfield despite nursing an early head injury.
Hughes reserved particular credit for Graham’s involvement throughout the match, expressing satisfaction at his brace and match minutes. While reluctant to assess each player individually, Hughes highlighted Matos’s combative performances in central areas, noting his ability to close down opponents and impose pressure. He also recognised Catesby’s promising pre-season form and the significance of his goal in the second half, suggesting there were encouraging signs of his capabilities during his time on the pitch. Hughes indicated that both individuals and the collective squad have room for further development, with the brief periods of quality shown needing to extend across the full duration of matches.
Having previously managed League Two Newport County, Hughes understands the challenges young players face in this competition, where academy sides have historically struggled against senior professional teams. He acknowledged that facing experienced, seasoned professionals provides invaluable learning opportunities for his squad to progress their careers. While accepting that this experience will accelerate their development, he insisted that the poor opening half cannot be repeated and that genuine learning must occur. He warned that if similar patterns emerge, serious questions must be asked about the team’s direction and necessary improvements. Despite the negative result and six goals conceded, Hughes identified several promising aspects while acknowledging clear areas requiring work, including defensive organisation and winning individual battles. He confirmed a detailed review would take place with the players to ensure the first-half display is not repeated in their next group stage fixture.