Match Report: England C 1-0 Wales C

England C 1-0 Wales C

The line-ups:  

 

(4-3-1-2) Howes (Male 94); GSM Richardson (Debrah 21) Cordner © Harper; Lundstram Booty (Phipps 85) RDH (Vennings 75); Sbarra (Dyson 68); Acquah Nuttall 

 

(3-5-2) Ramsay (Roberts 46); Sears Lewis © Davies; Davies Green Price (McCarthy 67) Owen (Jenkins 89); Smith (Williams 78); McLaggon (Ahmun 82) Jones (Wood 61) 

 

 

The game:  

 

Paul Fairclough will sleep peacefully tonight after his England C side avenged last year’s 4-0 loss against Wales C in a reverse fixture.  

 

The 73-year-old told media pre-match that he had barely slept since the heavy defeat in Caenarfon around this time last year but Ryan De Havilland’s winner was enough to secure victory in a tightly contested affair at the home of Altrincham FC.  

 

The first half was competitive but scrappy. Wales’ experience and knowhow showed in the early stages, sitting off England and let them play into the centre of the pitch on a wet, muddy surface while being quick to go long and avoid the same traps. However, the most they had to show for it was a Kane Owen free-kick from 20 yards that hit Sam Howes and somehow spun out for a corner.  

 

England had to play themselves into proceedings and did just that, visibly growing in confidence as the minutes passed by, showing more fluidity in their off-the-ball movement and winning more of their duels. This despite losing Gateshead defender Kenton Richardson to injury on 21 minutes. Chances were few and far between, England coming closest via blocked efforts from 30 yards or tasty delivery from Gus Scott-Morriss down the right-hand side. It was sufficient enough to warrant a change of shape for Wales, moving to 4-3-3 from their initial 3-5-2 shape.  

 

The announcement of injury time seemed to spark both sides into life. Sam Jones thought he had put Wales ahead when he stabbed Ryan Sears’ cross on target only for Wealdstone stopper Howes to deny him. England then took the lead with seconds of the half left to play, Howes’ long ball knocked down under pressure by Danny Davies to Tom Price, who slipped while completing a hurried clearance. Joe Sbarra was the beneficiary and though his low effort was saved by the outstretched boot of Alex Ramsay, Barnet midfielder De Havilland was on hand to finish the rebound at the second attempt.  

 

The second half was something of a non-event, the tempo of the game diminished by a number of substitutions and cheap fouls from both sides. Sbarra almost made the most of another Wales error only to be denied by substitute keeper Connor Roberts from a tight angle. There was some needle between Kayne McLaggon and Vincent Harper, who both ended up in the referee’s notebook. Jesse Debrah and Sears had wild efforts over the bar and there were a flurry of semi-dangerous set-pieces that had to be defended.  

 

Very little happened and England were able to see out the game to record victory and put a smile on manager Fairclough’s face.  

 

How did the National League Boys Get On? 

 

I thought this was a performance that required all units to stand up for themselves and nobody shirked their duties, so nobody leaves the game without credit.  

 

Tyler Cordner was my personal man of the match. He was given the captain’s armband and led by example, dominant in the air and taking responsibility in possession. Wales were happy to sit off England’s centre-backs and the Aldershot Town man made the most of it, always looking to progress with the ball and being comfortable playing short or long.  

 

Gus Scott-Morriss may not have been tested too much defensively but his delivery was from wide positions was largely excellent. On the other flank, Vincent Harper was tested mentally, both by the battle with the experienced McLaggon and this being his first 90-minutes for a while, and he passed his test. Jesse Debrah came off the bench early in the game and settled well. In net, Sam Howes made a big save at the end of the first half and was comfortable in his work.

 

In midfield, Regan Booty’s eye for a pass was there for all to see, his delivery often accurate but a little too quick due to the slick surface. Joe Sbarra popped up everywhere and read situations well. Ryan De Havilland and Josh Lundstram had minimal involvement in general play but regularly got themselves into the box and got through plenty of work.  

 

Up top, Joe Nuttall and Emile Acquah were feeding off scraps and largely spent their game trying to hold up possession on a tricky surface against aggressive opposition and after a tough start, they grew into their roles, selflessly leading the line and giving England an out.  

 

The second-half substitutes didn’t have a huge impact but the biggest positive you can give them is that England didn’t look any poorer for them being on the field.