ic Teesside.co.uk, UK
July 21 2005
Setback as Boro duo rested Jul 21 2005
Andrew Haslam In Ballymena, Evening Gazette
James Morrison and Tony McMahon were both surprisingly rested
as England’s hopes of progressing to the UEFA European Under-19
Championship semi-finals suffered a setback after Armenia snatched
a shock draw.
Both started in Monday’s opening fixture – a creditable 1-1 draw
with France – but the Boro pair were rested for last night’s game in
Ballymena, joining fellow Academy graduate David Wheater on the bench,
although Andrew Taylor continued at left-back.
England were expected to close in on a place in the last four with
victory against finals debutants Armenia.
The early pressure was all England’s, with Sunderland’s Grant
Leadbitter an influential figure at the heart of midfield.
England had two goals disallowed in the first half.
Both efforts came from West Ham’s Mark Noble with the first chalked
off because the referee spotted a foul by Dexter Blackstock in the
build up, while the second was ruled out after Noble was flagged
for off-side.
There was further disappointment for England when Leadbitter saw a
penalty saved by the legs of Armenian goalkeeper Edel Bete early in
the second period.
The breakthrough finally arrived with 18 minutes left to play,
Armenian midfield player Aleksandr Petrosyan turning into his own
net under pressure from Matthew Mills.
However, an England defence in which Taylor had been characteristically
composed and steady then came under increased pressure, and Armenia
got their reward in the 87th minute thanks to Carl Lombe’s strike
from outside the penalty area.
While a draw was a disappointment for England, the Armenians almost
snatched an injury-time winner when Petrosyan broke clear of the
England backline but keeper David Marton did well to save his shot.
The result, together with France’s 3-1 win against Norway in
Wednesday’s other game, leaves England third in the section on two
points and means they must beat the Norwegians in Saturday’s third
and final group game to progress.
Full coverage of the tournament is available on
England: Martin, TAYLOR, Mills, Cranie (capt.), Ifil, Leadbitter,
Jones (Jarvis 71), Noble, Holmes, Blackstock (Fryatt 61), Smith.Subs:
Ruddy, McMAHON, MORRISON, Wilson, WHEATER.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress