England prepare well in Malaga
Monday 22 February 2010By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:07
Action from last season
The England Under 18 Schools’ International Team preparations for the forthcoming Centenary Shield went according to plan in the south of Spain last week. Although their training schedule was hampered somewhat by the inclement weather throughout the week, they did manage to register two victories against local opposition.
On Tuesday 16 February the young lions were hosted by CF Malaga. The game was played on a 3G surface, as the grass pitch was unplayable due to the torrential rain during the day. The first half ended with the score 0-0. Both teams made changes at half-time, the hosts more substantial, but it was the England team that played the better. Goals from Andrew Kelly (Durham CSFA), Tim Rivers (Sussex CSFA), Kenny Reeves (Norfolk CSFA) and an own goal enabled the boys to win the game 4-1, an excellent start and thoroughly deserved.
On the evening of Thursday 18 February, the team crossed the border into Gibraltar, where they managed to avoid a forecast of thunderstorms and play the national team of Gibraltar, who have been campaigning for some time to be accepted as full members of UEFA. The match was not the best spectacle but an injury time goal from Liam Williams (Gloucestershire CSFA) ensured England kept their 100% record in a 1-0 victory. With a little more luck the team would have won by more, and again, thoroughly deserved their victory.
England now travel to play Northern Ireland on Friday 26 February, at Comber FC, kick-off 1.00 pm, in what will be the first match of this season’s SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign. Last season, England were rocked by a 1-0 home defeat against Northern Ireland at Macclesfield Town. Phil Nardiello, the England Team Manager, will be keen not to have a repeat performance this time around.
U18 England Schools Fixture 2010
England v Northern Ireland – Match Report 2009
