England 3-0 Italy

U17 International Tournament 2007
3pm, 2 September 2007
Kenilworth Road, Luton Town FC

England concluded an encouraging campaign in the U17 international tournament with a 3-0 victory over Italy at Luton’s Kenilworth Road.

Goals from Andros Townsend, Ryan Donaldson and Cameron Stewart ensured a comfortable victory for the hosts as Noel Blake’s side ended the tournament with two wins and a draw.

After a tight opening spell Tottenham forward Townsend opened the scoring on 20 minutes with his third goal of the tournament, having netted twice in last Wednesday’s tie against Northern Ireland.

It was Stewart who created the goal as his run and low cross was turned in by Townsend, who lunged in at the back post.

England were encouraged by taking the lead and ten minutes later their efforts were rewarded with a second goal.

Mitchell McPike laid into the path of Donaldson, and despite having his back to goal the Newcastle youngster did not waste the opportunity, turning his marker before dispatching a low drive into the bottom corner.

England were now well on top, with McPike and Oliver Norwood dominant in midfield.

The Italians also had no answer to the pace and skill of Stewart and Jacob Mellis on the flanks, and the two combined to make the game safe five minutes after half-time.

Mellis was the architect, cutting in from the left hand side and finding Stewart, who skilfully beat his marker and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner past helpless Italian keeper Colombi.

England were well in control by this stage and restricted the visitors to long-range attempts as they wrapped up an encouraging victory.

With the full U17 team competing well in the World Cup in South Korea, Noel Blake and his side have proved that the future is bright at this level.

England: Rudd (Norwich City); Gordon (Leeds Utd), Solly (Charlton), James (Manchester Utd), Briggs (Fulham); Mellis (Chelsea), Norwood (Manchester Utd)(O’Neill, 68), McPike (Birmingham City), Stewart (Manchester Utd)(Ajose (Manchester Utd), 51); Townsend (Tottenham), Donaldson (Newcastle Utd) (Phillip (Chelsea, 59)
Subs not used: Bostock (Crystal Palace), Lyness (Birmningham City)

Goals: Townsend 20, Donaldson 30, Stewart 50

Coach: Noel Blake

Italy: Colombi (Roma); Albertazzi (Bologna), Caldirola (Inter Milan), Brosco (Roma), Rigione (Inter Milan); Perucchini (AC Milan), Gianbonato (Juventus)(Petrucci (Roma), 55), La Rocca (Juventus), Guitto (Empoli)(Terranova (Parma), 62); Santon (Inter Milan), Ragatzu (Cagliari)
Subs not used: Zaza (Atalanta), Vecchi (Parma), Galassi (Parma)

Referee: Mr K A Woolmer

Attendance: 3,272