England 0-1 Spain

International U16 Four-Nations Tournament
Tuesday 12th November 2002, 8pm kick off
Darlington FC

An excellent crowd of 2,358 turned out in force to cheer on England's Under-16's at Darlington against Spain on Tuesday night.

Also watching Europe's finest were a number of well known talent spotters, including Jim Ryan (Manchester United), Andy Ritchie (Leeds) Steve Clarke (Chelsea) and Jan Wouters (Glasgow Rangers).

With the Spanish undoubtedly Europe's strongest nation in youth football over the past decade, John McDermott's young side were prepared for a stringent test.

McDermott's players lined up with their favoured 4-3-3 formation, but Spain were extremely quick out of the blocks, causing early problems for the Three Lions' defence. Only a last ditch defensive block and a save by Joe Lewis prevented a goal in the opening minutes.

Spain's Marcos Barreno and Francesc Fabregas Soler were looking very lively and posing several questions of the English defenders.

However, it didn't take England too long to settle and take a firm grip on proceedings during a particularly well-contested first half.

The pace of the game was noticeably quicker than the earlier Germany v Holland encounter, but not to the detriment of quality. Undoubtedly the highlight of the first half was the fluidity of movement and shape in McDermott's team's performance.

Yet, despite sustained periods of pressure and goal attempts by Lee Holmes, Marc Walton, captain Nathan Doyle and Simon Dawkins, England could not find a breakthrough.

Sadly for England it was Spain who seized control of the game five minutes after the interval.

There appeared to be no apparent danger when substitute Perez received the ball just inside England's half.

However, the Tenerife midfielder quickly moved inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot from fully 30 yards, which flew past Lewis in the England goal.

Despite this setback, the young lions maintained good discipline and continued to press the Spaniards backwards, indeed forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan Garrido in to action on several occasions.

Spain also showed why they have been so successful at this level. All of their players looked technically proficient, while the team showed great composure as they regularly returned England's pressure with fine counter-attacking bursts.

Disappointingly for England, the longer the game went on, their opportunities for an equalizer decreased and despite players pouring forward in search of a goal it proved to be in vain.

From Adrian Bevington at Feethams

Engand: Lewis, Green, Ashton (Welsh-Elliot 62), Jones, Dawkins (Berry 50), Marc Walton (Ashikodi 65), Holmes (Simmonds 50), Parker, Gilbert, Doyle (c), Noble (Simon Walton 70)

Spain: Garrido, Cerezo, Pele, Parra Rocha, Pique, Suarez Mata (Diaz Perez 25), Bonet, Fabregas, Garcia Dauta (Toni), Garcia Fernandez (Tebar 67), Garcia Barreno (Janjo 32)

Goals: Perez 50