Fairclough makes changes
Saturday, 08 November, 2008
Paul Fairclough has had to make two changes to his squad ahead of the trip to Italy for Wednesday's game.
Italy C v England C
International Challenge Trophy
Stadio Santa Columba, Benevento
Wednesday 12 November 2008 England C Manager Paul Fairclough has been forced to make two changes to the England C squad travelling to Italy on Sunday evening for their crucial International Challenge Trophy Group A decider with Italy C.
Firstly, Crawley Town’s Jake Wright failed to recover from an earlier injury and was replaced by Anton Robinson from Weymouth, who did not disappoint on his debut in Sarajevo in September.
This was followed by the withdrawal of Ebbsfleet United striker Luke Moore who has failed to recover from a gashed leg. Moore, who also made his debut in Sarajevo, had earlier replaced Greg Pearson from Burton who has educational commitments.
England were then hit by the news that Antonio Murray was injured in Histon's game with Swindon Town in The FA Cup, so he has been replaced by Jonathan D'Laryea of Mansfield Town.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s encounter, Fairclough said: “The forthcoming fixture against Italy is arguably the single most important fixture that this team has had to play.
"The Tournament has given a new dimension to football outside the Football League by adding the excitement of all that goes with playing European opposition.
"Preparations for this game have been under way for months, the team will meet up on Sunday and from that very moment a careful process will commence that will deliver the players into a peak physical and mental state for the kick-off on Wednesday afternoon.
"We will not be alone out in Italy as we expect parents and friends to make the long trip. Indeed, a contingent of twenty Barnet supporters will travel to Benevento having followed the team to Finland last November.”
Fairclough added that: “The squad selected has experienced campaigners at this level. It is complemented by a number of new, hungry and exciting players.
"Whilst a draw would suffice we will not fall into the trap that snatched a place in the final from the Republic of Ireland last month. The Irish sat for a draw in their final group fixture against Belgium only to have their hearts broken by a very late Belgium super strike. We will be going to Italy intent on winning the game and securing a place in the final.”
Follow the progress of the team on TheFA.Com and the Setanta News Channel.
England C Squad
Lance Cronin (Ebbsfleet United), Adam Bartlett (Kidderminster Harriers), James Smith (Ebbsfleet United), Carl Tremarco (Wrexham), Danny Gleeson (Cambridge United), Exodus Geohaghan (Kettering Town), Russell Penn (Kidderminster Harriers), Michael Bostwick (Stevenage Borough), Josh Simpson (Histon), Jon Paul Pitman (Crawley Town), Antonio Murray*** (Histon), James Constable (Oxford United), Mitchell Cole (Stevenage Borough), Shaun Harrad (Burton Albion), Greg Pearson** (Burton Albion), Jake Wright* (Crawley Town)
* Replaced by Anton Robinson of Weymouth.
** Replaced by Luke Moore of Ebbsfleet United. Subsequently, he has withdrawn injured.
*** Withdrawn injured and replaced by Jonathan D'Laryea of Mansfield Town.
