Everton duo thankful for Armstrong's instinct

Thursday 26 Mar 2015
England U18s captain Ryan Ledson
Everton duo Jonjoe Kenny and Ryan Ledson say England Under-18s have to be more ruthless in future – but they are relieved to have Adam Armstrong within their ranks.

The Newcastle United striker popped up with the game’s only goal as the Young Lions defeated Switzerland at St. George’s Park on Thursday afternoon, the first of a double-header against the Swiss.

Speaking to TheFA.com after the game, defender Kenny said: "We could have been a lot more ruthless – we created a lot of chances that we should have taken.

England 1-0 Switzerland

U18s International
St. George's Park
Thursday 26 March 2015

"Luckily for us we managed to do that with one of them, and Arma did the business for us."

England skipper Ledson added: "We should definitely have taken more of our chances.

"We will be competing in the Euros next year with the Under-19s, and we want teams to fear us.

"If we’d have put more of our chances away, which we should have done, then that sends out a message and instills fear in them if we drew them in the Euros."

Both men were thankful for team-mate Armstrong’s finish, with Ledson saying: "Arma has done it over the last few years when we’ve been involved with England.

"He did it last year and he is doing it again this year, and you always feel confident with him up front that he will get you a goal."

Jonjoe Kenny in action against Holland earlier this season

Jonjoe Kenny in action against Holland

And despite being at the other end of the pitch, Kenny revealed his admiration for the Geordie goal-getter.

"Being a full-back, it’s great to see he is always there as an option whenever I have the ball. He helps my game a lot, he works so hard, so it’s great having someone upfront like that," said Kenny.

"We have a great combination on and off the field, so I’m really made up to see him hit the net again."

The game was Kenny’s first in an England shirt since the victory over Holland back in September, and he says it is great to be backing shutting out opposition attackers whilst wearing the Three Lions.

Adam Armstrong on the ball

Armstrong scored the only goal against Switzerland

"I love being back with England, I wanted to be the best right-back in the country, so it’s great to be given the chance to do that," he added.

"Keeping a clean sheet for me is like scoring a goal for the strikers. That’s our job to not let them score and that’s what we did."

You can watch them England take on Switzerland live in their second clash at Walsall on Saturday, kick-off at 5.30pm.

Tickets for the game at Banks’s Stadium cost just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions. Call 01922 651 414/416 for more details or pay on the gate.


By Gary Stonehouse Staff Writer at St. George's Park