U18 Friendly: Poland 4-1 England

Wednesday 13 April 2011By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:12

England Under 18 Schools' Squad Photo

England U18 Schools' Squad

England travelled to Zawiercie, a small town outside Katowice in Silesia to play a friendly fixture against Poland, the first time the two sides had met. The Polish side, although a year younger, are all full time professional players with Polish, German and Italian league clubs.

On a rain slickened pitch with a good covering of grass England were quick out of the blocks and pressed their Polish opponents back in the early exchanges, without ever threatening the Polish goal. Early indications of how important it was to retain possession were evident by the quick breaks and counterpunching of the Poles.

England created the first real chance of the game when Jack Wood was played in by some neat build up play by Abreu and Meaney and slapped the ball against the keeper’s legs, when a square pass to the better positioned Sherratt would have reaped richer dividends. Poland responded immediately with a period of intense pressure in which they gained several corners. Their well drilled set pieces were full of variety and although they struggled to clear at times, England survived and continued to pose a threat at the other end.

Half chances came and went for both sides but England’s defence stood firm with skipper Summers leading the way and supporting defensive colleagues Vallis and White. Poland created a gilt edged chance when a defence splitting pass found Legierski through on goal but the onrushing goalkeeper Hart snuffed out the danger. Minutes later Wood charged down a clearance from a Polish defender which left him clear and despite rounding the goalkeeper his shot on goal lacked venom and a defende’ s desperate sliding tackle cleared the ball for a corner.

The resultant corner was cleared but a powerful Moyo defensive header found Meaney, who with a sublime piece of skill, and a well weighted pass found Abreu and he dispatched his shot with aplomb.

Half Time: England 1 Poland 0

England made four substitutions at half time, despite having only 15 fit players, to ensure the whole squad were well tuned up for next week’s Centenary Shield game in Scotland. England began the second half well and won two corners in quick succession. From the first Wood was hauled to the floor and should have won a penalty but were given a corner as scant consolation. From the kick Summers deflected the ball off Whites head when it seemed certain he would score and a great chance to lead 2-0 had gone begging.

Small margins change games and the miss would prove to be the defining moment in the game. Within 5 minutes Poland were level, when some neat interplay set Kobylanski free and he turned Vallis before pulling the ball back for Liberacki who scored with an excellent finish. Seven minutes later Poland led through another well worked goal from Kobylanski. At this stage Poland were in command but some steely resolve and desperate defending kept England in touch.

As the clock ticked down England suffered a body blow from which they never recovered. An in swinging corner was sliced into his own net by the unfortunate Sherratt leaving England with a mountain to climb and the score line was given a false look when Poland added a fourth goal in the dying seconds

4-1 seemed a harsh reflection on England’s efforts but the first half performance will have given great heart to the squad and a repeat of that will cause Scotland and the Republic of Ireland problems in their remaining games.

England U18 Fixtures & Results 2011
England U18 Player Profiles 2011

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