Report: Poland 1-1 England ELS

England men’s Elite League Squad were able take another step in the U20 Euro Elite League after drawing 1-1 with Poland in Pulawy.

With an emphatic 4-0 victory over Germany in Chesterfield last week, England looked to continue their winning ways and unbeaten record in the Elite League.

The Young Lions took the game to Poland from the outset, in what proved to be a high-tempo affair and Will Lankshear and Sydie Peck both came close to finding an opener for Paul Nevin’s side early on.

England would comfortably control possession throughout the half but as opportunities presented themselves, they just lacked the finishing touch to open the scoring.

With the fixture marred by fouls, both sides looked to take the other out of their rhythm and capitalise from there.

And Poland would make the most of this. With a direct free-kick providing their best chance beforehand, the hosts were finally able to take the lead just before the interval.

Against the run-of-play, the hosts took the lead following a precision finish from Luberecki.

However, England would start the second period in the same fashion that they played the first, grabbing their well-deserved equaliser five minutes into the half.

The goal came courtesy of some wonderful footwork from Dominic Ballard in the box as he was able to skip past multiple defenders before cooly finishing past the goalkeeper to bring the score level.

England would continue to probe and press following their equaliser, with the second half playing out in similar fashion to the first.

Half-chances for Lankshear and Ballard provided England with the opportunity to take the lead, but they were unable to benefit from these.

Poland would continue to provide a threat however, with opportunities coming from set-pieces throughout the half.

Their best chance fell to their target man Zuberek, but Max Alleyne provided the recovery block to keep the score at 1-1.

The Young Lions were able to conjure up one last chance as Kaide Gordon went on a stunning solo run, he unluckily struck the outside of the post two minutes from time.

With this being the final action, Nevin’s side left Pulawy with an extra point to their name.

This ended yet another successful camp for the MELS, as they extended their lead at the top of the Elite League.

England: 13 Matt Young (Salford City) (GK), 2 James Dornelly (Peterborough United), 3 Elijah Campbell (Ross County), 4 Jacob Wright (Manchester City) ©, 5 Max Alleyne (Manchester City), 6 Kaelan Casey (West Ham), 7 Kaide Gordon (Norwich City), 8 Sydie Peck (Sheffield United), 9 Will Lankshear (Tottenham Hotspur), 10 Kamari Doyle (Exeter City), 11 Dominic Ballard (Blackpool)

Substitutes: 14 Ryan Andrews (Watford) for Dornelly 60, 18 Max Dean (Gent) for Doyle (Exeter), 16 Zack Nelson (Luton Town) for Peck 74’, 19 Romain Esse (Millwall) for Ballard 74’

Substitutes not used: 12 Thierry Small (Charlton Athletic), 15 Amara Nallo (Liverpool), 17 Sammy Braybrooke (Dundee United), 22 Ben Cisse (West Bromwich Albion) (GK)

Goals: Ballard 50’

Interim head coach: Paul Nevin