England

4-0

Hungary

Curley 14

 

 

Bajada 40, 74

 

 

Morris 45

 

 


The England Learning Disability squad made it into their third final in as many years after beating Hungary easily in the Sävstaås Stadium in Bollnäs, they now face Poland in the Global Games final a repeat of last year's European Championship semi-final which England won on penalties.

Although not hitting their top form England looked comfortable and defended so well that Hungary did not have a direct shot at the Jackman goal.

The scoring started in the 14th minute when Scott Curley headed home a Watson corner, this is his third goal of the tournament and he has made a major impression in his first tournament.

England continued to play controlled football with the central midfield pairing of Grant Smith and Ronnie Watson stopping any forward play from the Hungarians. In the 40th minute Lele Bajada once again pounced on a mistake from the defence to coolly slot home, 2-0.

On the stroke of half time England scored their best goal of the game.

Playing patience football the Three Lions kept the ball until they forged a opening, Danny Cole threaded a ball into Dean Earle who battled his way to the touchline to cross low across the box for James Morris to steer the ball into the net past a helpless goalkeeper.

The second half was a non event. Hungary played with no ambition and did not venture into the England half even when they didn’t have possession.

Trying to conserve energy England slowed the game down to a walking pace. To complete the scoring Lele Bajada flicked a Scott Curley powerful header into the goal to complete the rout to score his tenth goal of the tournament.

Speaking after the game team manager Lyndon Lynch commented: "We are very happy to be in our third major final which confirms our standing as one of the best LD teams in the world.

"Tomorrow's final will be difficult against a strong Poland team, unfortunately the match schedule has seen both sides play three games in four days which is impossible.

"We need to recover quickly and patch up our injured players and do the best we can. Whatever happens I am proud of our achievements and the way the players have reacted in each game."

The final is at 6pm in the Sävstaås Stadium, where the team try to win England’s second gold of the games.