The Three Lions picked up a comprehensive win against the Malta Under-21 team on Tuesday night.

International Friendly
Hibernians FC, Paola, Malta
Tuesday 17 February 2009

An inexperienced England C squad pulled off an impressive 4-0 victory over the Malta Under-21 side on a pleasant evening in Paola.

Manager Paul Fairclough selected an entirely new squad looking ahead to the 2009/11 International Challenge Trophy competition which begins later this year but also leaving an opportunity for those making the trip to Malta to catch his eye for the ICT Final against Belgium in May.

The game began brightly and it was the visitors who took the lead after six minutes when Barrow’s Paul Brown fired home a volley from 22 yards after a Lewis McMahon free kick was deflected into his path. 

England continued to dominate as the half progressed and almost increased their lead on 14 minutes when Lee Tomlin fired just over the bar from 30 yards.  Malta almost caused a problem for England on 21 minutes when the impressive Ben Camilleri broke clear down the left and powered into the penalty area only for his cross to be well taken by Dale Roberts in the England goal.  The hosts continued to press as halt time approached with both Camilleri and Dylan Kokavessi both looking impressive up front but they rarely troubled Roberts and the half ended with the visitors in control.

Fairclough made five changes for the second half and it only took seven minutes for England to add another through Tomlin’s free kick which took a sizeable deflection off Maltese defender Steve Borg. 

The game was all over four minutes later when England scored a third goal and again Tomlin was the provider. This time he played a clever short free kick to Sean Newton, who unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box which gave goalkeeper Bonello no chance. 

The ever-impressive Tomlin almost got the goal that his overall performance would have deserved when he fired a powerful shot at goal which was tipped onto the bar by Bonello and out for a corner. 

The English side were playing some excellent football with intelligent one and two touch passes and it was from one of there moves that the fourth goal was scored in the late stages. A ten pass movement was finished well by Altrincham’s Shaun Densmore, who netted from close range following a fine cross from Ishmael Welsh.

Speaking after the game, a clearly delighted Paul Fairclough said: “The exercise has been a resounding success, not only the result but that it has demonstrated a rich vein of future talent exists.

“Every player made an impact during the game and it has presented me with some excellent choices looking ahead to the Final of the International Challenge Trophy against Belgium.”

England C: Dale Roberts (Rushden & Diamonds) (Steve Arnold, Grays Athletic, 46), Shaun Densmore (Altrincham), Sean Newton (Droylsden), Michael Byron (Droylsden), Nicky Wroe (Torquay United), Martin Riley (Kidderminster Harriers) (Scott Doe, Weymouth, 46), Lee Tomlin (Rushden & Diamonds), Lewis McMahon (Gainsborough Trinity) (Tom Shaw, Tamworth, 46), Paul Clayton (Alfreton Town), Jason Walker (Barrow) (Adam Boyes, York City, 46), Paul Brown (Barrow) (Ishmael Welsh, Grays Athletic, 46).