Young Lions inspired as Delap dominates Wales

Liam Delap’s penalty followed by a Carney Chukwuemeka finish helped England’s Under-18’s beat Wales 2-0 at Leckwith Stadium

Wales’s first match as an under-18 side since 2000 ended in defeat after a dominant England second-half performance.

England began the better of the two sides, with Celtic’s Karamoko Dembele immediately involved – setting Aston Villa’s Louie Barry through on goal, only to be blocked by CJ Egan-Riley.

Wales would have the first opportunity on goal though, and it was presented to them after Chris Popov was fouled in the area.

The Manchester United man took it himself, but scuffed and it was easily saved by Arsenal’s Hubert Graczyk.

Louie Barry was then denied by Salford’s Max Williams in the Welsh goal, after cutting in from the left to fire low. He was England’s danger man in the first half, as expected with his lofty CV for his age.

England made ten changes in the second half, including the introductions of Liverpool youngsters James Norris and James Balagizi, and Manchester City starlet Liam Delap.

The latter, taking the captains armband, would begin to control proceedings with his hold-up play and linked particularly well with teammate Kwadwo Baah.

And it was Delap who broke the deadlock for the young Lions. After a bursting run in the box, he was tripped by Williams, winning a penalty. He duly converted with consummate ease.

England doubled their lead around a quarter of an hour later, with Aston Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka finishing calmly one-on-one after an excellent passing sequence.

After England’s first it almost became an attack vs defence routine, with the young Welshmen unable to deal with Delap especially.

It has to be considered that it’s the first game the Welsh players have played together as an Under-18 side, with cohesion a clear issue – but quality also reigned in Premier League players who’ve already experienced the top level in the England setup.

Wales – M.Williams, K.Williams, Davies, H.Jones, T.Jones, J.Williams, Savage, Ewing, Viggars, Cotterill, Popov

Subs: Hughes, C.Williams, Leeson, Bell, Z.Williams, Dyer, Mariette, Salisbury, Twamley, Congreve

England – Graczyk, Egan-Riley, Quansah, Dembele, Robertson, Shoretire, Barry, Ramsey, Ingram, Jebbison, Doyle

Subs: Oyegoke, Norris, Fish, Oluwayemi, Chukwuemeka, Scott, Edozie, Baah, Delap

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