Victory in Madrid for Young Lions
Wednesday, 15 February, 2012
Kenny Swain's men beat Spain courtesy of George Green's goal.
England U16s got 2012 off to a decent start on Wednesday afternoon, with a victory over Spain in Madrid to follow-up from last year's Victory Shield success.
Kenny Swain's team travelled to the Spanish capital at the start of the week for a few days of training, before Wednesday's match at Las Rozas which saw the Head Coach manage to give playing time to all members of his 18-man squad.
And the Young Lions put in a competent performance in the early Spanish afternoon, matching their hosts for the majority of the game. It was a game of relatively few chances, with England enjoying the better of the first 40 minutes before the hosts sprang into life a little more after the break.
However, despite shading the second half, Spain couldn't do anything to prevent England's last minute winner through debutant George Green, who had been introduced as a second-half substitute.
The Everton striker appeared to have few options on when he received the ball just outside the area, but proceeded to curl a fine shot past Spanish sub 'keeper Guillermo Lara to win it for England.
Swain's squad will now return to England and their clubs before they meet up again for the Montaigu Tournament in France, which takes place in late March and early April.