England tonk Holland! Danny Sturridge alive and well!

[Lennon Saviour of E]

Sawyer stuns Holland
By Russell Staves. Tuesday, 27 March 2007.


England
4-1
Holland

Brandy 13, Sawyer 64, Sturridge 75, 79

Kuiper 43


International U18 Friendly
Tuesday 27 March 2007
Huish Park, Yeovil Town FC


Lee Sawyer scored one of the goals of the season as the young Lions blew away the Dutch on Tuesday night.

In front of a bumper crowd at Yeovil, the Chelsea midfielder cracked home a stunning 40 yard volley to send England 2-1 up after Nick Kuiper had cancelled out Febian Brandy's opener.

Not to be outdone, the matchless Daniel Sturridge showed his class with two expertly taken strikes to complete a wonderful night for the hosts.

On a mild night in Somerset, both teams tentatively tip-toed their way into the game. It took until the 12th minute for the first shot in anger when Romario Sabajo fired wildly over the bar - an effort not in keeping with the famous Brazilian striker of the same name.

Play switched to the other end of the field within minutes as England took the lead. The excellent Sam Hutchinson of Chelsea pumped a long ball forward which caused a few flutters in the Dutch defence, something not lost on Brandy.

The Manchester United forward, a threat all night with his dazzling footwork, latched on to a weak header back towards keeper Mustafa Amerzine. The Dutch stopper saved Brandy's first effort but was powerless to prevent the diminutive forward nodding the loose ball into the empty net.

The Dutch response was rather crude - Ilias Haddad going into the book for a nasty foul on Josh Walker - but his lunge was not the only rash tackle on the night.

But the hosts stood firm with Hutchinson and Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark a dominant pairing at the back. Alongside them, left-back Joe Mills had the next shot on goal but his curling free-kick was easily dealt with by Amezrine.

Sturridge was another who caught the eye with his combination of powerful running and deft control, and he linked up cleverly with James Henry and Brandy in one of the moves of the half.

Unfortunately for the hosts, the Dutch stole possession and cantered forward resulting in Arsenal's Vincent Van Den Berg's audacious attempt to chip Simon Eastwood. The alert keeper was equal to the task, back-peddling before plucking the ball out of the night sky.

But there was little the debutant keeper could do to prevent Holland equalising, a wicked deflection from Nick Kuiper's 25 yard strike deceiving the youngster.

The visitors were the width of the crossbar away from going ahead five minutes after the break when Van Den Berg played the delightfully named Hanne Hagary in on goal. From an acute angle but with just the keeper to beat, the Dutch forward aimed high but was ultimately frustrated when the ball clipped the crossbar.

Despite the Dutch starting the second period in the ascendency, the rest of the game belonged to England as the Three Lions rattled in three goals in just 15 minutes.

Sawyer brought the bumper crowd to its feet on 64 minutes, smashing a stunning volley into the top corner from 40 yards.

Scott Sinclair was inches away from adding a third seconds later but his curling effort from the edge of the box hit the inside of the far post before rebounding clear.

But Sturridge showed his team-mate how to do it on 75 minutes, drilling the ball past the exposed Amezrine from 15 yards.

It was 4-1 four minutes later when Sturridge raced clear before expertly guiding the ball under the advancing Amezrine. If the finish was of the highest class, Sturridge's celebration needs a little work.

England: Eastwood, Parkes (Wilkinson 63), Mills (Sansara 84), Wright (Sawyer), Hutchinson, Clark, Henry (Albrighton 63), Walker, Sturridge (Yussuff 87), Brandy (Aluko 73), Sinclair.

Sub not used: Edwards.

[Sven]

Lee Sawyer scored a nice goal on before weekend or on weekend against MK dons, he said love to score again, 40 yards not bad.

Sam huchinson cpt of our reserve team now, has done wonders, I thought nothing of him when first saw him last yuear, but he's versitile ,quick,strong be a good player to have.

Sinclair , I thought he woudn't have a good game, he's all about one moment, looked like he nearly scored.

Sturrdige is a diamond , see why everyone was after him.

[andy villa]

how did clark and allbrighton do?

[Sven]

Solid at the back, I believe the ball came of him coudn't do anything about it for Holland goal.

Allbrighton a sub, played well from what I saw on highlights from Chelsea tv.

[andy villa]

both doing well in u19s and reserves...

not ready for first team yet, but look to have bright futures....

more so allbrighton i think though...

ugly little bastard though... lol

[Lennon Saviour of E]

I fancy Sturridge will get his chance on Sunday, with Pearce saying the senior players have had more than enough chances.

[Olzy]

Watford's Jordan Parkes played.

This boy is going to be quality, I saw him play for the reserves the other day and his fitness and ability on the ball is superb.

He was right back for England, can you remember how he played Sven all the Watford coaches said he played well but would be good if you can remember how he played.

If not dont worry mate.

[Sven]

Wasn't bad, Sam Hutchinson was England under 18 right back, but moved into center maybe because of Parkes, my memory of the game is little to say the least, though he is quick, good defending, not sure on attacking quallities if I'm honest.