England 2-0 France

Under-17s International Friendly
Scunthorpe United FC
Wednesday 11th December 2002, 7.00pm kick off 

Goals from Tom Huddlestone and Ryan Jarvis on a cold Scunthorpe night gave England's Under 17s a two-nil win in a game John Peacock's boys dominated from start to finish, freezing out an above average French side...

An extremely entertaining display from a team who can boast both quality and quantity throughout as all 18 of Peacock's Young Lions had chance to get their teeth stuck in to the task.

The team just oozed with a class and style that laughed in the face of their passports. They all played with confidence, assurance in each other. A defence that cast commanding figures and distributed the ball with precision and composure. In midfield they hurt their opponents with inch-perfect crisp passing and strong tackling - as well as the odd goal. And up front not only did they find the target, they kept the defenders on their toes, not giving them a chance to rest on the ball. Even on the bench they were able to introduce pace, power and little piece of magic. At home also, the injured Luke Moore is one to be reckoned with, but tonight belonged to those in a very chilly Scunthorpe.

Peacock was 'delighted' after the match and was ready to pat each of his players on the back: "We had 18 heroes out there tonight. Throughout the week we worked on a number of plays and formations, and I am pleased to see it pay off here against France, who themselves are one of the best teams in Europe."

And he has every reason to be happy.

After a 15-minute delay due to a floodlight fuse problem, the early play from both sides brightened up the proceedings, as both England and France were keen to show what they could offer going forward. But it was the home side that had the lions share as both James Milner and Philip Ifil supplied testing crosses to get the French boys brains ticking.

Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter also looked sharp in the centre of midfield as he linked up well with both Dean Bowditch and Ryan Jarvis before having a trademark 'pop' from range that went just too high.

But it was his poor touch 25 yards from his own net lead to a good opening for France, though, from the edge of the box, Didier Digard dug hard but could only find Heaton's welcoming hands.

 

As France tried to probe the English defence with neat floor passes, John Peacock's boys looked for the quick counter attack with diagonal balls in to the channels for Jarvis and Bowditch to feed on, but both defences were holding strong with tough tackling and concentration.

As the game approached the half-hour mark the stand lighting went off but the pitch only became brighter. Following a short corner on the right, the cross from Ifil was cleared by a blue head but only as far as Derby's Tom Huddlestone. One touch from the big number four, teed the ball nicely for a drive that, though it may have taken a slight deflection, was only ever going one place - the back of the French net - and England were in front.

The Young Lions, now with the advantage, continued to press and work hard off the ball and could have found themselves two up moments later when Ipswich boy Bowditch found space on the left hand side. His inch-perfect lofted pull-back landed at the feet of Leadbitter 15 yards out, but the French reacted quickly to block away to safety.

A pot shot from Stephen Vincent, the French number 7, again being restricted to long range efforts, was the last kick of the half as England went in a goal up.

 

England came out after the break the same way they finished the first half and remained on top for much of the second forty. A great work ethic combined with quality in abundance in all areas of the field gave them the ignition to run the game at their own pace - a very fast one.

The goalscorer Huddlestone made way for Leeds winger Aaron Lennon in the opening moments and he showed his promise running at the French and giving them headaches. Ryan Jarvis almost benefited from his first piece of magic. Beating two on the left of the box, the Yorkshire terrier teased a ball in front of the Adi Raid Mbolhi in the French goal and Jarvis arrived at the back post but could not get the vital touch.

Another of Peacock's substitutes, Sheffield United's Jonathan Forte - being watched by his club manager Neil Warnock - saw much of the ball on the left. His pace troubled the French, but unfortunately his control was not so sharp, much to the visitor's relief.

But on 66 minutes the game was put beyond France's reach and Jarvis was rewarded for his evening's effort. This time Lennon twisted and turned over the right side and fed a neat ball into Jarvis' path. The Canary's first touch was immaculate and his second devastating as the ball nestled neatly inside the far upright to assure John Peacock's Three Lions a well-deserved and impressive victory.

Essentially considered a development team, the Under-17s are one of England's best squads 'pound-for-pound'. If they carry on learning and growing they can emerge as one of the best, and certainly entertaining, teams in Europe.

They may have started in the dark in Scunthorpe tonight, but their futures are looking very bright.

From Jamie Bradbury in Scunthorpe

England: Heaton (Martin 70), Ifil, A. Taylor (Giddings 41), Huddlestone (Lennon 49), S. Taylor (c), Rifat (McMahon 41), Bowditch (Forte 55), Morrison, Jarvis (O'Grady 68), Leadbitter, Milner (Ross 54)

Goals: Huddlestone 29, Jarvis 66

France: Mbolhi, Quellier, Bellaid, Lavie, Barthe, Benhamida, Vincent, Gourcoff, Lescure, Digard, Pinard
Subs: Nsiambanfunu, Allart, Marchal, Ziouane, Marveaux, Jourdren, Marange

Referee: Mr A Kaye

Assistants: Mr D Birkett, Mr G Brittain, Mr G Sutton (4th Official)