Belgium 1-1 England

International Friendly
Regenboogstadion
SV Zulte-Waregem, Waregem
09 February 2005

In a well-contested match, Martin Hunter's England Under-19 side drew 1-1 with Belgium at the Regenboogstadion in Waregem.

Coach Hunter named a strong starting line-up with no fewer than four Middlesbrough players, including James Morrison (below) and Matthew Bates.

Though England had the better of the chances, it was the home side who took the lead but five minutes later England drew level when, through some good work from Dean Bowditch, they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area.

Lee Holmes fired off a quick shot at goal and beat the goalkeeper only for the referee to insist that Holmes had taken the free-kick too quickly.

Holmes, a Derby County player currently playing on-loan at Swindon Town, re-took the set-piece and managed to curl the ball over the wall and in to the top left hand corner of the goal, giving the Belgian 'keeper no chance.

Indeed in many ways England should have won as they had the best of the chances and the majority of the possession but the home side battled hard and deserved a draw.

After the match Hunter spoke to TheFA.com: "It was a very pleasing performance from the boys. We've done a lot of hard work this week and they showed good character in the match.

"In the first half we could have scored one or two goals and all our attacking plans worked quite well.

"Then they scored at the start of the second half but the players showed plenty of resolve and character to come back.

"Lee Holmes scored from the free-kick but then the referee disallowed it. Lee just knocked the second one in the stanchion. It was a great finish."

England now look ahead to March and the Elite Round of qualifying which will determine their fate as they try to secure a place at this summer's UEFA European U19 Championship.

Team Details

England: Martin, McMahon, Taylor, Leadbitter (Wilson 81), Bates, Cranie, Morrison (Smith 29), Noble (Jones 45), Fryatt (Blackstock 45), Bowditch, Holmes (Barker 71)
Subs not used: Mills, Heaton

Goals: Holmes 51