England U18s 0 France U18s 0: England’s young guns held at home by France in goalless draw
Ipswich prodigy Andre Dozzell and West Brom forward Jonathan Leko unable to fire Young Lions to victory
ENGLAND UNDER-18S fought-out a goalless draw with France on Monday .
The Young Lions huffed and puffed, and survived a scare or two, but were unable to find a breakthrough at Peterborough United’s ABAX Stadium.
Despite the lack of a matchwinner, England were still celebrating at full time as the result ensured they won the International Mini-Tournament as they finished above their opponents and Poland.
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It was a slow opening to the contest, with West Brom’s promising forward Jonathan Leko forcing the first real opportunity midway through the half.The powerful ace produced an explosive run through the defence before getting a shot off on goal, but the keeper did well to hold his effort.
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England stopper Jake Turner, who plays for Bolton Wanderers, then showed steady hands off his own as he stopped Antoine Bernede’s effort.The French were starting to get on top and should have taken the lead before the break.
Bernede found himself through on goal with only Turner to beat but he fired his strike straight into the side-netting.
Head coach Neil Dewsnip rang the changes in the second period. Firstly Ipswich’s highly-coveted midfielder Andre Dozzell arrived into the contest along with Marcus McGuane.
Then striker George Hirst, who scored two both goals in the 2-0 win over Poland last Thursday, replaced Wolves forward Niall Ennis up top.
Despite the changes, it was the visitors who should have taken the lead, Moussa Sylla wasting a glorious chance by shooting wide from close-range.
The substitutes continued for both sides, but neither team could force a winner as the 3,084 crowd went without seeing the net bulge all night.