England defeat Leicester City at Belvoir Drive

England Universities V Leicester City FC

Yesterday saw the first representative fixture of the season with 19 of the 40 players in the set up taken on Leicester City at their training ground. Goals from Bradley Pritchard and Daniel Sleath (Loughborough) saw England to a well deserved 2-1 win.
The first half was totally dominated by England where O'Loughlin (Nottingham Trent) and Suarez (Loughborough) went close with headers. Church and Pritchard dominated the midfield and the back 5 of Coombes (Loughborough), Champion (Birmingham), Christensen (Northumbria), O'Loughlin (Nottingham Trent) and Medine (Northampton) held firm and kept their shape well.
In the second period we made six changes. Leicester after half time had a period of pressure where they scored. Green and Sleath (Loughborough) started to dominate the midfield and Cunnington (Northampton) and Mpi (Loughborough) caused problems for the Leicester back four. Green missed a penalty to extend the England lead.
A very impressive performance from the squad, result was not a fair reflection of the dominance of the England team. A great start to the representative season.

Team: 4-4-2 - 1st half

Coombes (Loughborough), Champion (Birmingham), O'Loughlin (Nottingham Trent), Christensen (Northumbria) Medine (Northampton), Smith (Nottingham Trent), Pritchard (Loughborough - Captain), Church (Loughborough), McCubbin (Nottingham), Suarez (Loughborough), Mpi (Loughborough)

Team: 4-4-2 - 2nd half

Commbes (Loughborough), Murphy (Loughborough), Christensen (Northumbria), Martin (Nottingham), Medine (Northampton), Smith (Nottingham Trent), Green (Loughborough), Sleath (Loughborough), White (York St John), Cunnington (Northampton), Mpi (Loughborough)

Upcoming England fixtures

In the next month there will be fixtures for the rest of the group to ensure that we have had a good look at everyone. We are still planning to hold the four team tournament at Loughborough this year 6th - 9th April.

Domestic football

With the quarter final draw of the Championship dues to be complete this Wednesday next Wednesday will see the last 8 institutions fight it out for the 4 spots in the neutral re drawn semi finals. Good luck all