England's Cerebral Palsy team came out on top in a double-header against Scotland at St. George’s Park with two good wins.
In the first game the Three Lions made a slow start but eventually took the lead through Harry Baker who stole in at the back post to meet a clever flick from Michael Barker.
A number of other chances fell the home side’s way but some wayward finishing left the game in the balance at the break.
England started the second half much stronger and the early pressure told as Baker scored his second of the game shortly after the restart.
Barker got himself on the scoresheet after a good break by Emyle Rudder. He grabbed his brace soon after, latching onto a through ball from captain Nicky Fish and finishing coolly.
Fish rounded off the scoring late on to give complete a convincing win.
Both sides made a number of changes for the second game 24 hours later.
The Scots again came out of the blocks the quickest and made the early running as England struggled to get their game going.
The visitors took the lead midway through the first half as a free-kick on the left flew past goalkeeper Ryan Kay and went straight in at the far post.
The lead did not last long, however, as James Blackwell hit a spectacular shot from just inside the opposition’s half to level.
Scotland were awarded a penalty near the end of the half and it was duly dispatched to give them a half-time lead.
England made a couple of changes at the break with Ollie Nugent and Barker coming on, and Barker was on the scoresheet almost immediately, converting from a Rudder cross.
Keith Webb’s side continued to grow into the game and scored two quick-fire goals with 10 minutes remaining to take the game away from the Scots.
The first was a fine finish from the impressive Nugent from the edge of the box before Barker converted again following some good work from Nugent.
They might have bagged more before the end but saw the game out comfortably.
England Head Coach Webb said: “I thought we played very well in the first game and produced some of the football we had been working on in training.
“We had some good dimensions to our attack and worked well in the defence to keep things tight. We didn’t start the second game as well and it was disappointing to have conceded from two set pieces.
“However, the manner in which we reacted and came back showed the spirit in the squad that we need to take into the European Championship.
“We have learnt a valuable lesson and I am very pleased to come away with two good wins against a traditionally difficult opponent for us.”
Saturday 26 April
England: Moore (R Kay), Townshend, Kay (Rudder), Baker, Fish (C), Blackwell (Fletcher), Barker (Brown)
Goals: Baker (14, 35), Barker (44, 50), Fish (55)
Sunday 27 April
England: Kay, Townshend (C), Baker, Fletcher (Barker), Patrick-Heselton (Nugent), Rudder, Blackwell (Brown)
Goals: Blackwell (18), Barker (35, 51), Nugent (50)
