England Powerchair secure victories over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark

England made it three wins from three at the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup with victories over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark.

The Para Lions started their campaign in Sydney with a 2-1 win over Argentina on Sunday and followed it up with an impressive 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland and a battling 2-0 victory against Denmark on Monday.

England opened the scoring against the Republic of Ireland with a slick corner routine, as Marcus Harrison played the ball back to Chris Gordon, who returned it to the winger and his cross was fired into the bottom corner by captain Bolding.

The Para Lions dominated the first half but had to wait until the second period to extend their lead.

The second goal arrived within 40 seconds of the restart and came courtesy of another slick passing move, as Harrison found Chris Gordon, who had come up from the back, and the goalkeeper returned the ball to his West Bromwich Albion team-mate and he applied the finish from close range.

Both teams impressed during a thrilling second half and had chances to score but it was World Cup debutant Dave Lewis who grabbed the third goal with four minutes remaining as he converted Ed Common’s fine cross to the far post.

Manager Colin Gordon utilised England’s strength in depth to great effect against Ireland and three of the substitutes combined to score their side’s fourth goal in the final minute, as replacement goalkeeper Tyler Reeve passed to Lewis and his cross to the back post was directed in by Common.

The clash with Denmark was a might tighter affair, with few chances of note in the first half.

But England took the lead three minutes into the second half through a brilliant attack, as Bolding played an impressive pass to McLellan and then the teenager expertly threaded a diagonal ball into the path of Harrison who duly applied the finish.

And the second arrived just two minutes later through another fine passage of play as Chris Gordon and Harrison exchanged passes on the left-hand side before the latter laid the ball back to Bolding, whose cross-shot went into the bottom corner as McLellan looked to get on the end of the delivery.

England’s focus now turns to Tuesday’s double-header against reigning world champions France (11.30am AEDT/1.30am BST) and hosts Australia (4pm AEDT/6am BST).

You can watch all of the matches at the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup live across two different YouTube channels based on whether the matches are on Court A or Court B, with the full schedule found here. 

England starting line-up v Republic of Ireland: 7 Chris Gordon, 8 Jon Bolding, 9 Marcus Harrison, 10 Dan McLellan

Substitutes: 19 Brad Bates for McLellan 16, 4 Ed Common for Bates 26, 5 Dave Lewis for Harrison 31, 11 Tyler Reeve for Gordon 38, Marcus Harrison for Bolding 39

Goals: Jon Bolding 9, Marcus Harrison 21, Dave Lewis 36, Ed Common 40

England starting line-up v Denmark: 4 Ed Common, 7 Chris Gordon, 8 Jon Bolding, 9 Marcus Harrison

Substitutes: 10 Dan McLellan for Common 12, 19 Brad Bates for McLellan 35, 5 Dave Lewis for Harrison 37, 11 Tyler Reeve for Gordon 40

Goals: Marcus Harrison 23, Jon Bolding 25

Booking: Jon Bolding 40