Report: Estonia 0-2 England MU17s

Teddie Lamb and Harvey Higgins both found the back of the net as England men's under-17s ended their League B group with two wins and a loss.

It was already decided that even before today’s game, the MU17s won’t be able to reach the UEFA U17 EURO Finals in their opponent’s homeland following results in the first qualifying round last November.

But England still made a good account of themselves and started with great intensity in the early throes as Lamb and Oliver Boast both had efforts matched by Harly Ollin.

Bramley’s team soon settled into a domination of the ball after a nervy ten minutes possession-wise, though the task was made harder when Ajay Tavares was shown red for a coming together with his marker.

Not much happened in the way of talking points again until the 28th minute when Jacob Howard’s drilled attempt was knocked free to Boast, whose movement was read well by the Estonia keeper to cover the angle.

Karim Cassim did well to create a chance from nothing nine minutes later when the City midfielder bent an effort inches past the post.

Estonia could and maybe should have taken the lead from the next phase when Andero Kaares took a touch out of feet and drew the save from Ben Vickery.

The Young Lions stopper came to the fore again minutes later to stop Ron Neltsas’ attempted header at his near post.

Estonia did all they could to weaken England but were limited to chances from range as Kaares’ shot went high and wide 40 seconds into the second half.

Jake Wain had a rare attack shy of the hour when the midfielder was slipped in down the right, but Ollin again got down low to keep the score level.

England's number 12 owed the thanks to his keeper at the other end, though, who came out quickly to make up for an errant pass in midfield.

The Young Lions warmed into the game despite the numerical disadvantage and made it 1-0 when Lamb finished neatly into the bottom corner. 

Lamb gave Estonia something to think about ten minutes later, who was again given the freedom to head over from a few yards out. The connection, if anything, was too good as England's number nine had his head in his hands.

Higgins scored his first and England’s second of the day with a minute left to play until stoppage time from a similar shooting position to our opener.

The result puts the Young Lions in second place, three points behind Israel, who comfortably beat Faroe Islands a matter of yards away.

England: 13 Ben Vickery (Manchester City), 4 Karim Cassim (Manchester City), 6 Jacob Howard (Leeds United), 9 Teddie Lamb (Manchester City), 11 Ajay Tavares (Barcelona), 12 Jake Wain (Manchester City), 14 Max Little (Southampton), 16 Oliver Wilkinson (Ipswich Town), 18 Oliver Boast (Tottenham Hotspur), 19 Harvey Higgins (Blackburn Rovers), 20 Jacob Watson (Manchester United)

Substitutions: 3 Calvin Diakite (Chelsea) for Howard 57’, 2 Oscar Sandiford (Tottenham Hotspur) for Wain 89’

Substitutes not used: 1 Roman Dowell (Newcastle United), 7 Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Chelsea), 10 JJ Gabriel (Manchester United), 15 Michael Mills (Newcastle United), 17 Hugo De Lisle (Leicester City)

Goals: Lamb 66’, Higgins 90’

Head coach: Liam Bramley