English Schools' Football Association

England and NZ youngsters battle for possession

The England Under 18 Schools’ national team hosted New Zealand in their penultimate tour match of the UK, at Tamworth Football Club this afternoon (Friday 16 April).

During the build up to the match, the Kiwis entertained the crowd with a rendition of the haka. Unfortunately, the opening exchanges of the match failed to live up to the pre-match excitement as both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances.

England’s Tim Rivers went close on 7 minutes when he curled an effort just wide of the New Zealand goal. However, it wasn’t until the 20th minute when the first meaningful effort on goal was created. Conner Gater’s cross-come-shot narrowly missed the far post following a great piece of individual skill on the left for the host team.

With both teams still struggling to come to terms with the firm playing surface; James Lawson (New Zealand) went close on 21 minutes, when he managed to get a shot off, but his effort fell the wrong side of the post.

Tim Rivers then had another good opportunity on the half hour, but again the England forward failed to find the target. New Zealand responded well soon after when Ryan Cain got to the England by-line and pulled back a tantalising cross which trickled across the face of the England goal.

England managed to build some concerted pressure during the five minutes leading up to the interval, without creating any real opportunities.

The second half was a different story for England’s young lions as their interplay suddenly became fluent and crisp. A catalogue of missed opportunities then ensued for the home side. Dale Whitham turned well in the New Zealand penalty area but saw his shot well saved by Alex Carr on 50 minutes. Shortly after, England’s captain, Andrew Kelly, headed powerfully straight into the grateful arms of the All Blacks’ keeper.

With England now enjoying a large share of the possession, Dale Whitham smashed a thunderbolt just wide of the upright from 25 yards, following his effort moments early that when high and wide.

By the hour mark, both teams had made several substitutions, but England seemed unperturbed by the breaks in play and continued to mount attacks in waves. Reece York also shaved the outside of the post from distance, before a Daren Regis effort was well blocked by a New Zealand defender, when the England winger seemed certain to score.

Luke Boyce was next to spurn a good opportunity midway through the second period, as he raced through one on one with the keeper, only to see another England chance go wide of the target.

England’s frustration at failing to break the deadlock was nearly compounded on 75 minutes when the lively New Zealand number 9, Ryan Cain, broke down the right and narrowly missed the far post with his measured effort.

On 78 minutes, Dale Whitham’s audacious strike from just inside the New Zealand half had the visitors’ keeper scrambling back to prevent what would have been an unbelievable goal. Despite missing a flood of chances, England continued to play good football and their efforts were nearly rewarded on 83 minutes when Tim Rivers’ pile driver flew just over the bar following a neat one-two on the edge of the Kiwis’ penalty area.

Just when England must have been contemplating the previous missed opportunities, England striker, Kenny Reeves scraped home a much deserved goal through a sea of bodies, to grab the lead to the delight of the England supporters.

However, New Zealand nearly turned the tables in the dying moments of the match as England keeper, Jamie Joe Banasco-Zaragoza, saved well from a Ryan Cain header and an Alex Risdale shot.

England U18 Schools Fixtures & Results
Photo courtesy of www.rwt-photography.co.uk