England C set for Republic of Ireland U21s test in Galway

Sunday 31 May 2015
Paul Fairclough and his squad are in western Ireland for Monday's game
England C will take on the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in Galway on Monday afternoon.

Paul Fairclough’s squad arrived in the western Ireland city on Friday and the manager was forced to make some late changes due to withdrawals. 

Dulwich Hamlets’ Frazer Shaw replaced Blackpool-bound Jarrett Rivers and JJ Hooper of Havant & Waterlooville came in for Simeon Akinola. 

Republic of Ireland U21s v England C

International friendly
3pm, Monday 1 June 2015
Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway
By Mike Appleby in Ireland

After training twice on Saturday, the squad soon got the rustiness of a three-week break out of their systems and Fairclough is eagerly looking forward to the clash on Monday.

"We have a relatively new squad, all of whom have been selected on merit," said Fairclough.

"This is a great opportunity for them and they are all settling in well.  This is also a great opportunity for the team as a whole to test themselves against what appears to be superior players. 

"I am confident that they will rise to the occasion."

Matty Pearson has been named as captain on what will be his tenth and final appearance, due to his impending move from Halifax to Accrington Stanley. 

But the team is one down following an illness for Jonathan Hooper which resulted in him returning to England over the weekend.  

The weather conditions in Galway are likely to make the game something of a lottery with strong winds and driving rain forecast to continue throughout the afternoon.

England C line-up: 1  Andrew Coughlin (Wrexham), 2  James Bolton (FC Halifax Town), 3 Jordan Roberts (Aldershot Town), 4  Sean Raggett (Dover Athletic), 5 Ben Henegan (Chester), 6 Jake Gallagher (Welling United), 7 Alex Woodyard (Concord Rangers), 8 Frazer Shaw (Dulwich Hamlet), 9 Louis Moult (Wrexham), 10 Kingsley James (Chester), 11 Matthew Pearson (Capt – FC Halifax Town).

Substitutes: 13 Calum Kitscha (GK -unattached), 14 Callum Chettle (Ilkeston), 15 Charlie Goode (Hendon), 16 Aaron Williams (Rushall Olympic)

By FA Staff