England 2-1 Slovenia

Under-18 International Friendly
Fitness First Stadium, Bournemouth FC
Monday 17 April 2006

Adam Lallana's first England goal and a bullet header from Scott Phelan ensured the first international at Bournemouth's new Fitness First Stadium ended in a home win.

In a game England dominated but could not put to bed, Southampton's Lallana and Everton starlet Phelan gave the bumper Bank Holiday crowd something to shout about by putting England two-up within 56 minutes.

Tim Matavz halved the deficit in the 64th minute, but England held on to seal the win.

England began brightly and could have taken the lead within 90 seconds when the hosts' two debutant strikers linked up - Lallana laying the ball off for Bristol City's Jennison Williams who pulled his shot into the side netting.

Lallana was particularly impressive, dropping deep to pick up possession from the midfield as Wayne Rooney does for the senior side, although England had to wait until the 20th minute for another sniff in front of goal.

West Ham's Hogan Ephraim looked to be running down a cul-de-sac, but he did wonderfully well to wriggle free before forcing a save from Slovenia keeper Denis Petric.

The home side, roared on by a vocal 9,594 crowd - a record at Bournemouth's superb ground, continued to come forward, with Williams going close a second time when he headed Ephraim's free-kick straight at Petric.

Slovenia's best chance of a goal was on the counter-attack and one break in the 28th minute was almost rewarded with a goal. Klemen Medved crossed to Patrik Bordon, but the beanpole striker headed wide.

England the responded with another chance when the unmarked Fabrice Muamba, of Arsenal, headed wide from six yards.

The breakthrough finally came in the 42nd minute following a break down the left. Lallana showed wonderful composure to wrong-foot a desperate lunge from a Slovenian defender before stroking the ball home.

England Head Coach Brian Eastick made four changes at half-time, including Everton midfielder Phelen who added number two ten minutes after the break, powerfully heading Rossi Jarvis' cross into the back of the net.

It was almost three six minutes later when Muamba charged through and fed Lallana. The Slovenia keeper rushed off his line and cleared the ball straight into the England man, although the rebound fell fortuitously at the feet of Ephraim. However, with a tight angle, the twinkle toed midfielder could not capitalise and Petric made a comfortable stop.

With the Mexican wave now in full swing, Slovenia pulled a goal back when substitute Tim Matavz coolly lobbed Zac Jones, who came on for Luke Daniels at half-time.

But England, with the excellent Ephraim pulling the strings - he looks to have perfected Ronaldinho's no-look pass - continued to dominate.

However, they were forced to play with ten men for the last five minute of the game after Muamba limped off - Eastick had used all his substitutes, but the home side always looked comfortable.

England: Daniels - West Brom (Jones - Blackburn Rovers, 46), Omozusi - Fulham, Straker - Crystal Palace (Watts - Fulham, 46), Mancienne - Chelsea, Jarvis - Norwich City, Muamba - Arsenal, Simpson - Arsenal (Davis - Tottenham Hotspur, 46, Hanson - Derby County, 72), Ephraim - West Ham, Weston - Charlton (Sissons - Bolton Wanderers, 67), Lallana - Southampton (Dowson, Sunderland, 67), Williams - Bristol City (Phelan - Everton, 46).

Goals: Lallana 42, Phelan 56

Slovenia: Petric, Stus, Bajlec, Centrih, Medved, Brezaric (Celcer 46), Mihelic (Vracko 77), Slomsek (Zalar 46), Satler (Velikonja 46), Geric, Bordon (Matavz 46).

Goals: Matavz 64

Referee: I G Williamson

Attendance: 9,594