England’s dream of qualifying for the UEFA Regions Cup Finals for the first time was cruelly denied as Russia secured the point they needed to win the qualfying group in Romania.
Heading into the game knowing that a win would guarantee their ticket to the finals, England began brightly with Crawford and then Nolan testing the lofty Russian keeper.
But at the other end Russia were finding joy down the England right flank and only two smart stops from Kerr kept the game goalless.
Russia (Southern Region) 2-2 England (West Yorkshire League
UEFA Regions Cup
Intermediate Round
Saturday 24 September 2016
Bucharest, Romania
By Andrew Hailwood
And it was a defensive error that led to the opening goal when Greaves’ under-hit back pass created chaos in the England back line, with the ball eventually falling to Borisov, who coolly stroked it into the corner from 18 yards.
Adversity seems to be the ultimate stimulant for this team though and they were level within three minutes with Daniel Cunningham, making his first start up front, drove a splendid free-kick into the angle of post and bar. Momentum had shifted and England reached the break with the upper hand.
Having established their superiority late in the first half, England then threw their good work away within 30 seconds of the restart, as slack marking at a corner allowed Russia to restore their one goal advantage.
Needless to say England stormed back to equalise again on the hour mark, and this time with arguably the goal of the tournament.
Cunningham and Maynard combined down the right to put Moon clear and his precise cut-back found the late running Day, whose sweet low drive from 15 yards scorched into the net.
Russia sensed that this was a potential turning point in the match and subtly changed their tactics, absorbing more pressure and taking fewer risks - this gave England more possession but unfortunately they couldn’t capitalise and the one clear-cut chance they needed to take them through never materialised.
The final whistle blew with nine outfield England players and keeper Kerr in the Russian box straining every Yorkshire sinew to deliver the vital touch.
Despite their disappointment at not qualifying, this England team has been a credit to the country and the West Yorkshire League, consistently demonstrating, resilience, tactical awareness and a level of skill that is remarkable for players drawn from the 11th tier of English football.
England (West Yorkshire League): Kerr, Maynard, Dutson, Greaves (Graham 51), Fennell (Dixon 81) , Day, Crawford, Cunningham, Moon, Jeavons (Jackson 74), Nolan.
Subs not used: Frankland, Gardiner, O’Neil, Payne.
