England Schoolboys let slip a 2 goal lead in their final warm up game before their Centenary Shield campaign opens up at the end of the month.
Facing a UCFB Manchester side it was a side short on options for manager Richie Alderson with a number of players absent with injuries.
In a tough contest in windy conditions there were few clear chances in a scoreless opening half although Charlie Dickerson came close with a cross come shot that bounced off the top of the crossbar.
New addition to the squad, Steve Johnson, fired wide from just inside the box late on in the half while Ross Johnstone’s free kick sailed over the bar.
The second half saw two quick fire goals for England as Oliver Waddison fired home from the edge of the box before a corner kick caused chaos in the UCFB defence and the ball fell to Joe Lockey on the edge of the area who fired into the bottom corner.
For a spell it looked like more goals would follow as Johnstone was foiled by the post and crossbar while Brad Santos saw his close range effort blocked by the keepers legs.
UCFB’s fresher legs late on saw them on the front foot and a shot from just inside the area reduced the deficit before a mix up at the back gave the UCFB forward an open goal to draw them level at 2-2.
English Schools Football Association Under 18 England Schoolboys v UCFB Manchester on Sunday 1st March 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
A good workout for the side who will now hope to get all 18 players fit and ready for the trip to Belfast to face Northern Ireland on Friday 27th March.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.