England 1-1 Czech Republic

Under-19 International Friendly
05 October 2004
Norwich City FC, Carrow Road

England's U19s were held to a draw at Carrow Road as Derby County's Lee Holmes scored a late equaliser for the Three Lions.

England appeared to be heading for an undeserved defeat when Martin Fillo headed the Czech Republic in front on 69 minutes.

But substitute Holmes earned Martin Hunter's side a draw with a close range finish ten minutes later.

Hunter opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation with talented trio Dean Bowditch, Ryan Jarvis and James Morrison heading the front line.

The Three Lions started brightly and Ipswich forward Bowditch almost created an opening goal after just five minutes. His run and cross was aimed for Morrison at the far post, but the Middlesbrough man, who scored in the Czech Republic for his club last week, was just unable to meet the ball.

England looked comfortable on the ball all evening but their only real trouble of the first half came after nine minutes. Czech centre-back Antonin Rosa crossed from the left hand side and Pavel Malcharek’s diving header flew just wide.

An impressive 19,968 supporters turned out to watch England’s stars of the future in action at Carrow Road - and they would have been impressed as the home side continued to dominate.

Phil Ifil, who has enjoyed Premiership action with Tottenham this season, tried his luck from long range and Middlesbrough’s Matthew Bates flicked a header just over the bar. But the best effort of the opening period came from Aston Villa’s Luke Moore.

Moore took a long through ball from Ifil on the chest before hitting a volley on the turn. Only a deflection from defender Rosa denied England the lead.

Bowditch carved open the Czech defence again on 34 minutes. His run to the by-line was followed by a pull back to local boy Jarvis, but his left-footed strike was blocked on the six-yard box.

England goalkeeper David Martin was replaced by Manchester United’s young stopper Tom Heaton at half-time.

Tom Huddlestone, who has already established himself in Derby County’s first team, had a half chance to get his name on the score sheet on 53 minutes.

The midfielder turned in space after a pass from Bated but his shot whistled just over the bar.

Despite there still being a lack of goals, midway through the second half there was a party atmosphere inside the stadium as a Mexican wave whizzed around the stands.

And England appeared to be inspired by the support as shortly afterwards Ifil played a ball into substitute Matthew Fryatt before Jarvis hit a first-time shot just wide of the far post.

The young Lions had enough chances to have already gone ahead but they were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Czech Republic went ahead on 69 minutes.

Heaton failed to meet Malcharek’s in-swinging corner and Fillo nipped in to head into the top corner.

England did not give up however, and ten minutes later they scored a deserved equaliser. Bowditch whipped a cross in behind the Czech back line and Holmes anticipated well to slide in for 1-1.

Holmes came close again in injury time but Czech goalkeeper Milan Svenger managed to hold on to his long range free kick.

England 1-1 Czech Republic, Friendly, 05 October 2004

England: David Martin - MK Dons, Phil Ifil - Tottenham Hotspur, Andrew Taylor, Grant Leadbitter - Sunderland, Matthew Bates - Middlesbrough, Martin Cranie - Southampton, James Morrison - Middlesbrough (Matthew Fryatt - Walsall, 63), Tom Huddlestone - Derby County (Richard Jones - Manchester United, 88), Luke Moore - Aston Villa (Lee Holmes - Derby County, 56), Ryan Jarvis - Norwich City, Dean Bowditch - Ipswich Town.
Subs not used: Tom Heaton - Manchester United, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Mills - Southampton, Stuart Giddings - Coventry City

England Goals: Holmes 80

Czech Republic Goals: Fillo 69
 


Attendance: 19,968