Centenary Shield: England 0-0 Eire
Monday 03 April 2006By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:48:42
England Schoolboys U18 International Team
Nearly 3000 spectators turned up to watch this tense encounter on Friday evening at Crawley Town FC. The goalless draw means that Republic of Ireland have to beat Northern Ireland on Monday 10 April to share the Shield with England, who currently lie top of the group with seven points. Anything other than a victory for the Republic will see England win the Shield outright.
The Republic of Ireland started the brighter of the two teams and dominated the opening exchanges. However, it was England who looked like they broke the deadlock on 30 minutes when Ryan Sammons and Shaun Taylor combined well to set up Richard Chetcuti, who converted past Eire keeper Karl Coleman, only to see the assistant referee's flag raised for a marginal offside decision.
The Republic of Ireland's best chance came early in the second half, when Timmy Purcell raced onto a through ball only to see England keeper, Willem Puddy, save well, one on one with the Irish striker.
England nearly snatched victory in the dying moments, when a Carl Reynolds corner clipped the bar direct from an inswinging corner.
This result ended what has been a successful season for the England Schoolboys and also Pete Chisholm, who was presented with an award by the ESFA Chairman, Kevin Wilbur, after completing the final season of his three year term as team manager.