Report: England MU17s 5-1 Republic of Ireland

England men’s under-17s secured a dominant international friendly victory against Republic of Ireland at St. George’s Park, giving the Young Lions plenty of confidence as they head into their three-match tournament next week in Germany.

A thunderous half-volley from Hezekiah-Daniel Grimwade followed by further goals from Xavier Parker, Josh Henry, Darren Motsi and Josh Blake secured the win for Barry Lewtas’ side.

England began the game on the front foot too, with Javanh Woode putting in an early cross which ultimately failed to reach the centre of the 18-yard box before Parker produced England’s first shot of the game in the fifth minute, seeing his effort from the edge of the area denied by the opposition goalkeeper.

And it was Grimwade who opened the scoring in superb style for the Young Lions in the 23rd minute, with his powerful left-footed half-volley deflecting off the right post and nestling into the bottom left corner to put England ahead.

Oscar Johnson then found the head of teammate Jai Nwosu in the 37th minute following a well-timed cross, with the striker heading just over the target as England increased the pressure.

The visitors had their best chance of the first half on the stroke of half-time through Corey Fay, with the forward firing his right-footed effort just wide of Charlie Phillips’ right-hand post.

England emerged on the front foot again and doubled the lead just two minutes into the second half, as Parker displayed his composure by slotting the ball into the net to extend the Young Lions’ advantage.

And with England continuing to apply pressure, defender Henry headed home a well-delivered cross in the 56th minute, to extend the hosts’ lead by three.

Two minutes later, Grimwade looked to double his tally as het met a cross at the back post, though his side-footed attempt was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Substitute Motsi then won a penalty in the 75th minute, before dusting himself down to findi the net himself, just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

The visitors did pull a goal back to make it 4-1, as Ronan Keating curled the ball into the right corner in the 90th minute, to put the visitors on the scoresheet.

But a minute later, England capped off their evening with another substitute scorer, as Blake tucked away a fifth goal to wrap up the international friendly victory.

Lewtas’ squad will now prepare to face Israel at 3pm on Monday 28 September at Sportschule Wedau.

England: 1 Charlie Phillips (Arsenal), 2 Jacob Dean-Ford (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 3 Samuel O’Brien (Manchester United), 4 Josh Henry (Chelsea), 5 Emmanuel Fejokwu (Club NXT), 6 Reggie Watson (Chelsea), 7 Oscar Johnson (Aston Villa), 8 Xavier Parker (Manchester City), 9 Jai Nwosu (Brentford), 10 Heze Grimwade (Chelsea), 11 Javahn Woode (Manchester City).

Substitutes: 18 Mishel Nduka (Manchester City) for Grimwade 64’, 14 Ayden Minto St.Aimie (Charlton Athletic) for Fejokwu 64’, 15 Bobby Martin (Southampton) for Dean-Ford 73’, 12 George Jobling (Tottenham Hotspur) for Henry 73’, 21 Theo Carrington (Manchester City) for O’Brien 73’, 16 Kwasi Senyah (Tottenham Hotspur) for Watson 73’, 19 Toju Wellspring (Tottenham Hotspur) for Parker 73’, 17 Josh Blake (Aston Villa) for Woode 73, 20 Darren Motsi (Manchester City) for Johnson 73’.

Goals: Grimwade 23’, Parker 47’, Henry 56’, Motsi 75’, Blake 90+1.

Head coach: Barry Lewtas