England 0-0 Scotland

Victory Shield
Bloomfield Road, Blackpool FC
26 November 2004

Kenny Swain's England Under-16s couldn't quite make it three wins from three matches as they drew 0-0 with Scotland at Bloomfield Road.

The first opportunity for England turned out to be one of their best of the first 40 minutes. Daniel Sturridge showed some great ball skills out on the left touchline, delivering an accurate cross to Sone Aluko.

The Birmingham City player chested the ball down, took an extra touch to control the ball before looping an overhead shot over the bar. 

Scotland came back at England and soon started to dominate midfield, utilising the inside right channel to especially good effect.

They soon created their first chance when James Henry hit the crossbar from seven yards out after keeper Arestidou had spilled Goodwillie's cross straight in to the midfielder's path.

Sturridge has been one of the class acts of this season's Shield and he went close again midway through the half.

After a good breakaway down the right wing, he collected the ball, cut inside and then unleashed a curling shot, which curled just wide of the far right post.

In an entertaining second period, the hero for England was goalkeeper Arestidou, who pulled off a marvellous double save early on.

First he dived low to his right to save from Ross Hamilton and then he got up quickly enough to deflect Goodwillie's shot wide.

Try as England might, they could find no way through the stubborn Scottish defence - Daniel Nardiello and Sturridge both going close.

However it was Scotland who went closest with substitute Ryan O'Hara hitting the crossbar with an audacious chip.

At the final whistle England were the happier team with the draw, with Scotland proving to be the better team on the night.

England coach Kenny Swain admitted Scotland were the better side: "If it was a boxing match we would have lost on points. We were on the ropes a few times."

But Swain was hopeful for the future: "This was a tough game. We always knew it would be a tough game. But we can now put that experience in the bank.

"We now go in to Europe and we will continue to try to unearth as many young players as possible."