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Mr. MUJAC · 21st October 2006, 11:30

The Sky Sports Victory Shield
7.45pm, Friday 20 October 2006
Carmarthan Town FC
Live on Sky Sports

Kenny Swain's Young Lions were denied by Wales in the opening game of the Victory Shield, despite dominating the possession and shot count England had to settle for a 1-1 draw thanks mainly to the superb work of the Welsh keeper Jonathan North.

With the majority of England's side making their debut at this level it was an important first step in their progression, and despite not getting the victory they would have desired there were a number of positives about the performance.

With impressive work from Dean Parrett, John Bostock and Oliver Norwood in the midfield, England enjoyed a great deal of the ball and created a number of openings that could have resulted in goals on another night.

Norwood and Thomas Cruise both hit the woodwork and North made countless saves to keep Wales in the game, but despite continually knocking at the door the Young Lions couldn't ultimately break down their stubborn opponents.

Kenny Swain gave credit to Wales for their persistance during the game, although admitted that England perhaps should have left Carmathan with more than one point.

He said: "I'm sure that the boys will be dissapointed with the number of chances we have had tonight not to get the victory we wanted, but all credit to Wales for the way they held in there.

"Jonathan North was tremendous in goal for them and I think his was as good a goalkeeping performance as I have seen in a some years.

"There was no doubt that we controlled possession of the ball and with the saves that the goalkeeper made we are dissapointed to come away with just a point.

"You're always vulnerable immediately after you score and we'll be reminding the players of that in the debrief tomorrow. I think it would have been a different game if they hadn't scored so quickly after we did.

"I really thought that we were going to score again in the first half, but as the game went on they became a more difficult nut to crack.

"We can't forget that we have had the opportunity to look at the maximum number of players we could today and that is what this tournament is all about, seeing how players react in the international environment."

Harry Forrester almost created the first goal for England after nine minutes, taking it past the Wales keeper and angling a fine cross towards Townsed at the far post, but his left footed volley went narrowly wide.

The Young Lions took the lead after 12 minutes thanks to the impressive Nathan Delfouneso who showed predatory instincts from close range to follow up his header and force the ball home, although the last touch seemed to come from Wales' James Owen.

Andros Townsend sent the inswinging free kick into the penalty box and Delfouneso climbed highest and forced North into the parry, before scrambling the ball over the line to strike the first blow in the contest.

Wales were unbowed by conceding the opener and almost immediately levelled the scores through Leigh Smith, who did well to steal in front of Thomas Cruise and provide the finish to Nathan Hughes' fine cross.

Although the home side looked dangerous in the early stages on the break, as the first half progressed England certainly imposed themselves on the match but were unlucky not to retake their lead before the break.

England's two left footed midfielders, John Bostock and Andros Townsend, impressed with their approach play and Thomas Cruise went closest to scoring when he struck the bar with a stinging volley.

Six minutes into the second period one of England's substitutes was part of a flowing move that called North into action once more. Manchester United's Nicky Ajose laid off the ball to Delfouneso who fired a curving shot towards the bottom corner but Wales' keeper was equal to the effort.

On 54 minutes Oliver Norwood was denied by the crossbar as England continued to pepper the Welsh goal. It was England’s 20th attempt on goal and the guided effort from all of 25 yards was unfortunate not to find the net.

Eight minutes from time Delfouneso again tested the reflexes of North with a fierce shot from a narrow angle, but a strong pair of hands from the Watford Academy keeper denied Delfouneso again.

Teams

Wales: Jonathan North (Watford), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Kai Edwards (Wrexham), Kieron Howard (Swansea Schools), Sam Hart (Preston North End), Stephen Davey (Swansea Schools) (Aaron Wildig (Cardiff City) 77), Matthew Hurdman (Wrexham), James Owen (Chester City), Tomas Roberts (Man Utd), Leigh Smith (Cardiff City) (Declan John (Swansea City) 57), Nathan Hughes (Cardiff City)

England: Wesley Foderingham (Fulham), Chris Solly (Charlton Athletic), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Thomas Cruise (Arsenal), Ben Gordon (Leeds United), Dean Parrett (QPR), Harry Forrester (Watford) (Nicky Ajose (Man Utd) 40), Oliver Norwood (Man Utd) (Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) 70), John Bostock (Crystal Palace) (Jacob Mellis (Sheffield United) 40), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur) (Cameron Stewart (Man Utd) 59), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa)

From the official FA website...

21st October 2006, 11:30	#809 (permalink)
Mr. MUJAC Talent spotter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louis Rocca started it all... Posts: 2,234	Victory Shield - Wales v England The Sky Sports Victory Shield 7.45pm, Friday 20 October 2006 Carmarthan Town FC Live on Sky Sports Kenny Swain's Young Lions were denied by Wales in the opening game of the Victory Shield, despite dominating the possession and shot count England had to settle for a 1-1 draw thanks mainly to the superb work of the Welsh keeper Jonathan North. With the majority of England's side making their debut at this level it was an important first step in their progression, and despite not getting the victory they would have desired there were a number of positives about the performance. With impressive work from Dean Parrett, John Bostock and Oliver Norwood in the midfield, England enjoyed a great deal of the ball and created a number of openings that could have resulted in goals on another night. Norwood and Thomas Cruise both hit the woodwork and North made countless saves to keep Wales in the game, but despite continually knocking at the door the Young Lions couldn't ultimately break down their stubborn opponents. Kenny Swain gave credit to Wales for their persistance during the game, although admitted that England perhaps should have left Carmathan with more than one point. He said: "I'm sure that the boys will be dissapointed with the number of chances we have had tonight not to get the victory we wanted, but all credit to Wales for the way they held in there. "Jonathan North was tremendous in goal for them and I think his was as good a goalkeeping performance as I have seen in a some years. "There was no doubt that we controlled possession of the ball and with the saves that the goalkeeper made we are dissapointed to come away with just a point. "You're always vulnerable immediately after you score and we'll be reminding the players of that in the debrief tomorrow. I think it would have been a different game if they hadn't scored so quickly after we did. "I really thought that we were going to score again in the first half, but as the game went on they became a more difficult nut to crack. "We can't forget that we have had the opportunity to look at the maximum number of players we could today and that is what this tournament is all about, seeing how players react in the international environment." Harry Forrester almost created the first goal for England after nine minutes, taking it past the Wales keeper and angling a fine cross towards Townsed at the far post, but his left footed volley went narrowly wide. The Young Lions took the lead after 12 minutes thanks to the impressive Nathan Delfouneso who showed predatory instincts from close range to follow up his header and force the ball home, although the last touch seemed to come from Wales' James Owen. Andros Townsend sent the inswinging free kick into the penalty box and Delfouneso climbed highest and forced North into the parry, before scrambling the ball over the line to strike the first blow in the contest. Wales were unbowed by conceding the opener and almost immediately levelled the scores through Leigh Smith, who did well to steal in front of Thomas Cruise and provide the finish to Nathan Hughes' fine cross. Although the home side looked dangerous in the early stages on the break, as the first half progressed England certainly imposed themselves on the match but were unlucky not to retake their lead before the break. England's two left footed midfielders, John Bostock and Andros Townsend, impressed with their approach play and Thomas Cruise went closest to scoring when he struck the bar with a stinging volley. Six minutes into the second period one of England's substitutes was part of a flowing move that called North into action once more. Manchester United's Nicky Ajose laid off the ball to Delfouneso who fired a curving shot towards the bottom corner but Wales' keeper was equal to the effort. On 54 minutes Oliver Norwood was denied by the crossbar as England continued to pepper the Welsh goal. It was England’s 20th attempt on goal and the guided effort from all of 25 yards was unfortunate not to find the net. Eight minutes from time Delfouneso again tested the reflexes of North with a fierce shot from a narrow angle, but a strong pair of hands from the Watford Academy keeper denied Delfouneso again. Teams Wales: Jonathan North (Watford), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Kai Edwards (Wrexham), Kieron Howard (Swansea Schools), Sam Hart (Preston North End), Stephen Davey (Swansea Schools) (Aaron Wildig (Cardiff City) 77), Matthew Hurdman (Wrexham), James Owen (Chester City), Tomas Roberts (Man Utd), Leigh Smith (Cardiff City) (Declan John (Swansea City) 57), Nathan Hughes (Cardiff City) England: Wesley Foderingham (Fulham), Chris Solly (Charlton Athletic), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Thomas Cruise (Arsenal), Ben Gordon (Leeds United), Dean Parrett (QPR), Harry Forrester (Watford) (Nicky Ajose (Man Utd) 40), Oliver Norwood (Man Utd) (Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) 70), John Bostock (Crystal Palace) (Jacob Mellis (Sheffield United) 40), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur) (Cameron Stewart (Man Utd) 59), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa) From the official FA website...