VIDEO: Goalscorers happy with three points
Friday, 11 November, 2011
Sordell and Kelly delighted after netting in 5-0 win over Iceland.
by Jamie Bradbury
Click on the video on the right to watch the full FATV interview with Marvin and Martin
Martin Kelly and Marvin Sordell were pleased to get their names on the scoresheet in England Under-21s 5-0 victory over Iceland on Thursday night, but say the three points were much more important.
Stuart Pearce’s side have extended their lead at the top of their Euro 2013 Qualifying group to five points at the midway stage, and will look to take further advantage against Belgium in Mons on Monday.
It was Watford striker Sordell who finally broke the deadlock against Iceland, though, just before half time, before Kelly made it 2-0 with the hour approaching to put some daylight between them and a resilient Iceland side.
Late goals from Craig Dawson, his fourth in the four group games, and a brace from substitute Gary Gardner, capped a perfect night for the Three Lions.
Having beaten the same opposition away from home 3-0 last month, with two goals coming in the opening 15 minutes, another victory may have been seen as a formality. But the Liverpool defender said that Iceland made the early exchanges more difficult inside an almost record crowd at Colchester’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.
“They started quite well and pressed us high, and it took us a while to get going,” he told FATV after the game. “But the result was what mattered, it’s key for this competition.
“We settled down well and put on a good show for the all the fans here who turned up today.”
For both Sordell and Kelly, their goals were their second at Under-21s level. The first came when the number nine linked up well with skipper Jordan Henderson, who’s ball into the box picked out the darting run. Sordell stroke home coolly inside the post.
Kelly’s was a powerful run from his own half, dispossessing two Iceland defender’s before executing a perfect finish around Arnor Petursson in the visitor’s goal.
“I tried to put pressure on, won the ball back, and then was in front of goal,” said Kelly. “Jord [Henderson] had a word after and said he was going to go mad at me if he didn’t pull it back, but my sights were on goal, especially after the chance in missed of Jordan’s cross. I wanted to redeem myself and thankfully I did that.”
Sordell continued: “It’s always good to score goals at whatever level you are at, but to score for your country is obviously a great feeling. It contributed to a team win, which is the main thing.
“I’ll take any goal, any striker will tell you that. I’m just glad that my name is on the team sheet again.”
He added: “We go into every game to get three points, so hopefully we can get another three points of Monday.”
England now head to Mons in Belgium for their final game of 2011 on Monday night. The game will be live on ESPN.