England finish with a flourish

Manager Ian Hamer made a number of changes to the starting line up, giving Phil Lewis and Stephen Colyer their first starts. Richard Kennedy was again passed fit, but Phil Harris again missed out through injury.

England kicked off knowing that a good performance and victory could see them finish runners up in Group 4, and it was not long before their initial pressure paid off with Salvidge crashing home a shot from 25yds after some good wing play by Robinson. This goal came in the 5th minute and enabled the team to settle and play some good football on an immaculate surface. In the 9th minute a good run and cross by Robinson was met by Salvidge, whose powerful header was well saved by Muur in the Estonian goal. Salvidge returned the compliment in the 13th minute when his superb run and cross found Robinson whose shot was again saved by Muur. The Robinson - Salvidge partnership was causing havoc in the Estonian defence and it was no surprise when a half volley from Salvidge from the edge of the box somehow found its way into the net to put England 2-0 up.

Estonia began to settle as the half worn on but is was England who again came close to scoring when both Hodges and Salvidge went close. The Estonian defence was again under pressure and firstly Salvidge after 28 mins and Swift after 30 mins both had goals cancelled out by off-side decisions. England were back in full control of the game and it was no surprise when Robinson finally got his name on the score sheet when he fired home a cross from Swift after 36 mins. As the game approached half time, the Estonians again settled and began to trouble the English defence.

It was only an excellent double save by Lewis which prevented the host nation from scoring almost on the half time whistle. As the whistle sounded, it was a joyful group of England players who made their way off the pitch, surely satisfied with their 45 minutes work.

England replaced Richardson with Laker at half time and almost increased their lead in the 49th min when Salvidge broke clear only to be denied by an outstretched Estonian boot. In the 52nd min Salvidge, who was having a superb match, again found space in the penalty area but his first touch let him down. England came agonisingly close to increasing their lead in the 55th min when Robinson was played clear into the penalty area, but for some reason tried a little too much fancy footwork and scuffed his final shot. This really was a bad miss, as a couple of minutes later Estonia pulled a goal back when Erki Muur fired home from close range after some sloppy defending in the English defence. Estonia had proved earlier in the week against the Czech Republic that they could play and for a spell mid way through the 2nd half they pinned the English side back in their own half. Coach Ian Hamer made two further changes with Swift and Ryan being replaced by Benton and Colenutt.

Despite the Estonian pressure, it was England who again went close to scoring when a cross from Colenutt was headed against the post by Laker with the ball bouncing back into the goal keepers arms. Hodges was the next player to go close as England began to re assert their control. His shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and Muur again had to be alert to tip over for a corner.

The game continued to ebb and flow but it was Jamie Salvidge who had the final say when in the 2nd min of stoppage time he cleverly found the net with an overhead kick to claim his hat trick and England's fourth. This goal, his fourth in the tournament proved vital as it secured runners up spot for the England team.

Czech referee Dvoracek signalled the end of the game and brought to a close an excellent week for the Kent County League side. It had been a tremendous experience for the team and, apart from the display against San Marino, when they lost a game that was easily within their grasp to win, they had acquitted themselves well, and brought great credit to the League. They will certainly be keen to begin their quest for the next Regions Cup when the National qualifying tournament get under way early next year.

Mike Appleby


Final Group 4 Table