Tag: england football

ESFA Internationals

England U18 Schoolboys friendly- UCFB Manchester 2-2 ESFA U18

The English Schools' FA

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.

English Schools Football Association Under 18 England Schoolboys v UCFB Manchester on Sunday 1st March 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

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.

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England U18 Schoolboys win 4-1 v Kampong FC in first game of Eindhoven tour!

The English Schools' FA

The England boys kicked off their training camp fixtures with a 4-1 win over Kampong in Utrecht on Monday evening.

In the unusual setting of a rooftop football pitch atop the IKEA car park the wet and windy weather returned to replace the bright sunshine that greeted the players early morning training session.

English Schools Football Association Under 18 Boys v Kampong on Monday 17th February 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

It may have taken the lads 10 minutes to settle into their stride but once they did they caused their hosts a number of problems with Taylor Richardson going closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot that hit the crossbar.

With pressure building it was Oliver Waddison who gave England the lead, lifting the ball over a hesitant keeper and into the net.

Shortly after it was 2-0, a low cross from the right by Matthew Wade was met at the far post by Richardson who showed composure to fire back across the keeper into the far corner.

In truth it was a well deserved lead for the visitors but early in the second half the hosts pulled a goal back although that proved to drive England back onto the front foot.

  • English Schools Football Association Under 18 Boys v Kampong on Monday 17th February 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The goal of the night from Max Blencowe restored the two goal advantage, picking up a loose ball after the home keeper punched clear from a corner he fired a dart into the top corner from 25 yards for a 3-1 lead.

Hans Mpongo was proving a handful in the 2nd half and he finally added the fourth goal of the night, heading home from inside the box to complete the scoring.

All in all a decent workout in windy and wet conditions with the lads back in action on Tuesday evening against FC Utrecht.  

Take a look at what England Manager, Richy Alderson had to say about the Tour so far…