England 2-2 Holland

International Friendly
Turf Moor, Burnley FC
09 October 2005

England U20s were cruelly denied victory after a superb goal from Dexter Blackstock had looked to have handed them a win against their Dutch counterparts at Turf Moor.

Defender Tom Zoonjes headed home with eight remaining to salvage a draw for Holland after goalkeeper David Martin couldn't quite cut out a cross from the right.

Before that, Blackstock, the roving Southampton forward on as a half-time sustitute, had expertly guided a header into the net from a left-wing free-kick by Arsenal's Ryan Smith after England had come from behind.

The Young Lions had the better of a fairly even first half, with some intricate passing the basis of their efforts. Middlesbrough forward Daniel Graham had the best chance of the opening period, seeing his volleyed effort from close-range well saved after he was played in by Richard Chaplow.

Chaplow, captaining England on his return to his home-town club, also stung the gloves of Job Bulters with a fizzing long-range effort.

The Dutch, who's first half attacking was, at best, sporadic, took the lead six minutes into the second half through Robbert Schilder.

The Ajax midfielder neatly controlled a loose ball and, 20 yards from goal, despatched an unstoppable left-foot drive past Martin, who had replaced Barnsley's Scott Flinders at half-time.

James Morrison, at the heart of England's enterprise all afternoon, benefited from a neat back heal from Ian Henderson to go agonising close to restoring parity soon after. His low shot from inside the box narrowly evaded the goal and the lurking Chaplow.

With England revived, it came as no surprise that Holland's slender lead lasted only ten minutes, as Grant Leadbitter celebrated his late call-up to the squad by levelling the contest after a foul on Smith slightly to the left of centre.

Leadbitter, the Sunderland midfielder currently on-loan at Rotherham, curled the resultant free-kick expertly into the far corner, giving the Dutch goalkeeper no chance.

With 17 minutes remaining England stole the lead by virtue of another superbly executed set-piece. Winger Smith swung over a free-kick from the left and Blackstock, from 12 yards out, powered the ball into the top corner with his head.

That goal had looked to have given John Peacock's side a commendable win, but, after Fulham striker Collins John had hit the post with a rasping long-range shot, Holland hauled themselves level.

A floated right wing corner evaded the grasp of MK Dons goalkeeper Martin and Zoontjes, of Sparta Rotterdam, was on hand to accept the loose invitation and nod home from virtually underneath the cross-bar.

Martin redeemed himself by blocking a late effort from Ferne Snoyl, before Gary Barrowdale, one of England's star performers, burst forward from left-back and sent a shot narrowly over the bar on the full-time whistle.

The U20s will take heart from a spirited performance - a significant improvement from their 4-0 defeat to Russia back in August.

Teams

England (4-5-1): Scott Flinders(David Martin,46); Phil Ifil (David Raven, 75), Gary Barrowdale, Gary Cahill, Martin Cranie; James Morrison (Will Hoskins 62), Richard Chaplow (capt), Grant Leadbitter, Ryan Smith (Lee Croft, 82), Neil Kilkenny (Ian Henderson, 46); Daniel Graham (Dexter Blackstock, 46)

England Goals: Leadbitter 61, Blackstock 73

Holland (4-5-1): Job Bulters; Dustley Mulder (Milano Koenders, 86), Mark Otten (Kemy Agustien, 75), Tom Zoontjes, Ferne Snoyl; Robbert Schilder, Tim Vincken (Otman Bakkel,70), Rick Kruys(capt), Harris Medunjanin (Prince Rajcomar, 86), Wesley Verhoek; Collins John.

Holland Goals: Schilder 51, Zoontjes 86
 
Referee: M Atkinson

Attendance: 6,851