Wales U16s 0-1 England U16s
Friday 1st November 2002, 8pm kick off
Barry Town FC

An instinctive finish from Millwall's Moses Ashikodi gave England a crucial one-nil win in Wales and brought the Victory Shield within close reach of John McDermott's young Lions...

After picking up maximum points in Ballymena two weeks ago, England's new-look side knew that a win against the Welsh would mean that more one point would retain the Victory Shield, but they were close to going behind before they'd even realised they'd started.

From twenty yards, Kyle Morris hit a delightful free kick for the home side, but was denied by the width of the post. The rebound fell awkwardly for a team mate and England were able to clear.

McDermott's side then found their rhythm and began to play some pleasing football and on twenty minutes found the break-through that was to decide the encounter.

Leeds United's Ben Parker collected the ball on the left and made a positive run towards the Welsh goal. As he made his way into the box an outstretched leg steered the ball from his path. However, Ashikodi was sniffing around the area and pounced onto the loose ball. With a sweeping left foot shot, the Millwall youth sent the ball under the Welsh stopper allowing it to nestle sweetly in the net.

England continued strongly to the half time whistle. However, after the break and with a fragile lead, England looked nervous as Wales sought an equaliser.

Though they huffed and puffed, the dragons couldn't find a way passed McDermott's young men and with time running out, a scramble underneath the England bar saw the ball caught, dropped, headed on to the woodwork then cleared to safety as England held on to the advantage to grab three more points and maintain their 100% record in the Victory Shield.

The win sees them top of the table and a draw with Scotland at the end of the month will bring the shield back to England. But before they can think of the Auld Enemy they have the small matter of Spain, Holland and Germany in the international friendly tournament in a fortnight.

England U16s: Sean Lake, Paul Green, Ben Parker, Fabrice Muamba, Simon Walton, Edward Brand, Tyrone Berry (c), Andrew RIgby, Moses Ashikodi, James Smith, Ishmail Welsh-Elliott
Subs: Matthew Hislop, Sean Thomas, Andrew Ottley, Gary Roberts, Christopher Baguley, Simon Dawkins, Isiah Osbourne

Goals: Ashikodi 20