England take the trophy

European Challenge Trophy
7.45pm, Wednesday 29 November 2006
Burton Albion FC

England’s National Game XI lifted the inaugural European Challenge Trophy on Wednesday night, after a comprehensive win over Holland that saw them finish top of the table with maximum points.

It wasn’t completely straight forward for Paul Fairclough’s team who had to come from a goal down after just five minutes. But England, who lined up at the start with six new faces, showed their class to take the honours.

Dagenham & Redbridge forward Craig Mackail-Smith was one of the stand-out performers, and after taking his club tally to nine with a brace at the weekend, he extended his England scoring run to four in seven appearances rounding off the Three Lions’ night with the fourth goal.

England were determined to impose themselves and wrap up the title early. Looking the stronger and more physical side, the Three Lions almost went ahead on four minutes when Mackail-Smith broke through one-on-one but his low effort was stopped by the feet of Sven Taberima.

It gave Paul Fairclough’s side a lift that would have caused concern in the Dutch ranks, while the visitors looked timid as they tried to get a foothold in the game.

But for their lack of physical presence, Holland did like to pass the ball and a quick interchange on the right set the boyish John Schot on a silky run towards the box before he unleashed a powerful effort which had Arran Lee-Barrett, the Weymouth stopper, well beaten in his first appearance, but not the post. Michael Thé, following up on the edge of the box, returned the rebound with interest cracking in to hand Holland the lead.

That wasn’t on the script and set England back, and though Mackail-Smith almost directed a Steve Morison cross goalward soon after, they couldn’t get back on terms. When England did get in behind the Dutch back four, Taberima was in the way, first blocking a close-range chance from another debutant, Woking's Giuseppe Sole, then easily catching a Morison header.

However, England remained relaxed and knew they were capable of getting back on terms and a four-minute spell towards the end of the first half spun the match around in their favour and virtually ended the game as a contest.

Kieran Charnock tidied up a Dutch attack and delivered a long ball for Mackail-Smith to run on to. This time Taberima mis-judged the situation when he thought he could get there first, allowing Mackail-Smith in on goal. He just needed to shrug off the last defender Peter Post, but instead of forcing him wide, Post put in a clumsy challenge inside the box to fell the Daggers hitman. Stevenage Borough's Morison stepped up and tucked away the penalty with ease on his debut.

Northwich Victoria defender Charnock then added another decisive touch, this time in front of goal smashing in a loose ball from ten yards after the static Holland defence failed to deal with the delivery into the box.

England were now in control and after the break allowed Holland more possession in their own territory, while making it very difficult for them to get back in the match.

Up front, Mackail-Smith continued to be a nuisance, breaking the offside trap only to see his low and hard ball fire across the six-yard box just too far in front of Morison and Sole.

He then had another foray into the area, but opted for the shot, instead of a cross, resulting in a tame toe-poke into the side netting.

Holland weren’t making it easy for themselves either, and in the end, two failed clearances put the game to bed and saw England romp home to lift the Trophy.

George Boyd was the first to profit, as the Dutch tried to clear from inside their area. The Stevenage winger collected the looping ball 18 yards out before making space for the shot to drive low into Teberima’s left-hand corner.

With 13 minutes left, Mackail-Smith finally got his just desserts with a well- taken finish to complete a good night for England.

A disastrous free-kick just inside his own half from Djimmie van Putten went straight to the feet of substitute Clayton Donaldson of York City, 12 yards away. While the Dutch skipper was nursing his sore foot – or was it his pride? – Donaldson released the unmarked Mackail-Smith and he did the rest, rounding the 'keeper and rolling home.

England
1 Arran Lee-Barrett (13 Lance Cronin, 81), 2 Adam Yates, 3 Scott Griffiths, 4 Adam Quinn, 5 Craig Stanley (c), 6 Kieran Charnock, 7 Giuseppe Sole, (16 Les Afful, 76), 8 Michael Carr (14 Lewis Chalmers, 70), 9 Steve Morison (15 Clayton Donaldson, 63), 10 Craig Mackail-Smith (12 Michael Morrison, 81), 11 George Boyd.

Coach: Paul Fairclough

Holland
1 Sven Taberima, 2 Raymond Bolt (12 Jordy Meester, 75), 3 Djimmi van Putten (c), 4 Peter Post, 5  Henri de Graaf (13 Bart Freke, 60), 6 Taner Ozbek, 7 Patrick Duarte, 8 Michael Thé (15 Martijn Jansen, 68), 9 Donovan Mijnhals (17 Elroy Lammers, 60), 10 John Schot (14 Niels Buitenhuis, 60), 11 Istvan Bakx.
Subs not used: 16 Gijs Roelofsen, 18 Joey van de Berg   

Coach: Marco Bout

Match Officials
Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire)
Assistants: David Benton (Sheffield & Hallamshire) and Steven Cook (Surrey)
Fouth Official: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire)

Colours
England: White Shirts, Navy Shorts, White Socks
Holland: Orange Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Photos: Phil Mingo - www.ppauk.com