England 2 Scotland 1
The McAlpine Stdium, Huddersfield
Attendance: 5,785

England Under 16s claim the Victory Shield with success over Scotland at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium:

England needed only a draw from this match to secure the Victory Shield, but walked away with a deserved victory on a cold night at The McAlpine Stadium.

A home victory is a rare occurrence at this impressive venue this season as Town struggle in the Second Division, but England were able to bring some cheer to the local fans.

An own goal and one from Aston Villa's Shane Paul saw England home, although they were made to work for it by a Scottish side that hit back through Andrew Driver.

Early exchanges in the centre of the park saw honours even as both sides created openings down the flanks, however it was England that had the first glimmer of hope. Ottley found space down the right, but his accurate centre was well claimed by Callum Reidford in the Scotland goal.

Only two minutes later it was the Scots who used the wings well. Kevin Smith pulled the ball back from the byline finding Brian Gilmour, whose well struck shot cannoned off of a defender and flew to safety.

England went close just after the quarter of an hour mark. David Wheater's free kick floated in to the Scotland penalty area where the large frame of Isiah Osbourne rose in a crowd of players to flick the ball goalwards. Reidford in the visitor's goal was again equal to the challenge and held the ball comfortably diving to his right.

As England pushed on, Sam Mullarky won a free kick for a David Martin body check on the Forest winger. Rangers defender Martin was one of five Ibrox based players in the Scotland starting line up. The resulting free kick from 20 yards out sailed harmlessly over the crossbar from the foot of Arsenal's Mitchell Murphy.

Christopher James was at the centre of most of England's attacking momentum and popped up all over the park throughout the first half. The Fulham midfielder is reminiscent of local lad Alan Smith, with a mop of bleach blonde hair and similar level of endeavour that is likely to make him a crowd favourite in the future.

Scotland reminded the home side that it was not going to be all one-way traffic as Stevie McManus fired against Jemel Henry. The ball fell to Kevin Smith whose powerful shot from 15 yards had Shaun Thomas beaten in the England goal but the ball was always rising and cleared the bar to the striker's obvious disappointment.

The link up between Osbourne and left winger Murphy was a bright point for John McDermott and it almost paid dividends just after the half hour mark as the former found latter in space on the left. His powerful run took him past the defender but too close to Reidford who was very quick off of his line to bravely collect the ball and flatten his fullback in the process.

Smith was Scotland biggest threat and he again went close after dispossessing Wheater 25 yards out. His shot again cleared the crossbar however, this time via a deflection off England's Gary Roberts.

On a cold night in Yorkshire the warmest place to be was inside one of the two Huddersfield mascot costumes. The Terriers did their best to keep the 5,785 crowd entertained and even got in on the action just before half time, as one (Terry, I presume) was pole-axed by a wayward Bryan Hodge shot. You will be pleased to hear however, that there was no lasting injury and no need for Rolf Harris to make an appearance!

In to the second half and it was again the Osbourne/Murphy partnership that created an opening but the Arsenal winger's drilled centre skidded off of the surface just too quickly for the advancing Ryan Gilligan to make contact.

A minute later however, a carbon copy cross led to England taking the lead. Again, no white shirt made contact with the cross, but instead Scottish defender Steven McKeown deflected the ball against the helpless compatriot Andrew Considine and the ball fell in to his own net.

The youngster had only been on for a couple of minutes but would have had to duck and weave like the best heavyweight to avoid the onrushing ball.

Murphy, out on the right having swung in successive corners for England, almost made it 2-0 as his well struck volley caught everyone by surprise and sneaked past the far post. That second goal was not long in coming though and it arrived on 52 minutes.

Having just gone close through Smith at the other end, Scotland conceded possession and found themselves backpeddling.

Aston Villa striker Shane Paul, on for less than a minute, found defenders backing off him 30 yards out. He advanced 10 yards and delivered an unstoppable low drive that nestled neatly in the corner of the Scottish net.

With the forward line now being led by a Villa Park pair, Darius and Dion will be looking over their shoulders, but Deadly Doug will no doubt be delighted.

Scotland were not finished though and only three minutes later had struck back. John Johnston played in Andrew Driver on the left hand edge of the area with a beautifully weighted pass and the Hearts player lifted the ball over the onrushing David Knight. The Middlesboro 'keeper had come on at half time and was being kept much busier than Thomas had in the first half.

With 13 minutes remaining England must have been even more nervous as their most assured defender and captain Jemel Henry, had to leave the action through injury. West Ham have produced one or two good centre backs in their time, this could well be another for the Upton Park faithful to adore.

The Scottish goal should have set up an exciting climax, but unfortunately for the visitors, they were unable to lift the tempo of the match.

They were limited to delivering speculative balls in to the hosts penalty area, the majority of which were dealt with comfortably by a combination of England's defence and Knight in goal.

On the only occasion in which they looked to change that, the unmarked substitute Steven Fletcher could not get enough power in his header and the 'keeper collected well. 

England held out for the remaining minutes and were presented with the Victory Shield shortly after the final whistle, much to the delight of the crowd and manager John McDermott who will have been pleased by the performance of his side, many of whom were making their debuts at this level.

Goals: Own Goal 45, Paul 52