The tournament was held at the Dublin City University and England certainly enjoyed their time in Ireland, finishing undefeated against Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland, with two convincing victories and a goalless draw.
England 4-0 Scotland
Friday 2 July
England ran out clear winners in their opening game of the tournament. Steve Bartlett’s side started the game brightly with Emyle Rudder opening the scoring after a positive run and strike from distance. Captain Joel Taylor scored England’s second with a 20-yard free-kick while Rudder completed the first-half scoring to take England into half-time with a 3-0 cushion.
Bartlett made four changes at the break with James Roberts, Peter Clements, Tom Small and Jack Hibbert playing in a competitive Development Squad game for the first time. The Three Lions continued to dominate after the restart and created a number of scoring opportunities. Rudder completed the scoring, and his hat-trick, shortly before full time.
England
Leon Taylor (GK), Steve Brown, Jamie Pratt, Ryan Taylor, Joel Taylor (C), Niall Fitsimmons, Emyle Rudder
Substitutes Billy Thompson, James Roberts, Peter Clements, Tom Small, Jack Hibbert
Goals Emyle Rudder (3), Joel Taylor
England 5-1 Northern Ireland
Saturday 3 July
England began this clash slowly, and after ten minutes found themselves 1-0 down following a positive run and strike from the Irish. This initiated an obvious response from the Three Lions with captain Joel Taylor leading the way with some determined tackles and positive approach play.
England quickly equalised with Jack Hibbert neatly controlling the ball before turning and striking past the Irish ‘keeper. Moments later, and following continued England pressure, Emyle Rudder scored direct from a corner to put England ahead. Rudder made it 3-1 with a direct run and powerful strike from the left.
The second half saw England play some concise and attractive football with Niall Fitsimmons flourishing in advanced positions. Steve Brown grabbed England’s fourth with a neat finish following a rebound off the ‘keeper. England were now in control and finished the game with their best goal of the tournament. Fitsimmons and Taylor linked up well with a number of interchanges before Fitsimmons played the ball for Jamie Pratt to slot home and give England a well deserved 5-1 victory.
England
Billy Thompson (GK), James Roberts, Jamie Pratt, Niall Fitsimmons, Joel Taylor (C), Emyle Rudder, Jack Hibbert
Substitutes Leon Taylor, Steve Brown, Ryan Taylor, Peter Clements, Tom Small
Goals Jack Hibbert, Emyle Rudder (2), Steve Brown, Jamie Pratt
England 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Sunday 4 July
England played their final game of the tournament against an experienced and physical Republic of Ireland team and both sides cancelled each other out in a Dublin stalemate.
In a closely fought and frantic first-half, the visiting team defended resolutely and matched the Republic with strong individual performances and work rate. Both teams found it difficult to break down the opposition with few clear goalscoring chances being created. In the second half, England increased the pace and regularity of their attacks. The strong backline of Brown, Pratt and Taylor dealt effectively with Republic advances and encouraged the rest of the team to press for the winner.
As the game progressed, England looked likely to take the lead and created two one-on-one chances. The advancing Republic ‘keeper made excellent saves on both occasions and earned Ireland a hard fought draw. The draw ensured that England remained unbeaten, sealing top spot in the tournament for the second successive year.
England
Leon Taylor (GK), Steve Brown, Jamie Pratt, Ryan Taylor, Joel Taylor (C), Niall Fitsimmons, Emyle Rudder
Substitutes Billy Thompson, James Roberts, Peter Clements, Tom Small, Jack Hibbert
Congratulations to both Joel Taylor and Niall Fitzsimmons from all at Liverpool FA.
To get involved in Cerebral Palsy football please contact Anna Farrell on 0151 523 4488 Ext 112.