Report: England Men's ELS 2-1 Italy
Max Dean nets a late winner as Paul Nevin's side claim three EURO Elite League points in Frosinone
England men’s Elite League Squad kicked off their October internationals with a hard-fought victory against Italy.
A wonderful long-range effort from Darko Gyabi and a winner courtesy of Max Dean helped the Young Lions to all three points in the EURO Elite League out in Frosinone.
A cagey first half offered little in terms of clear-cut chances for both sides, with cheap fouls and stoppages in play preventing any momentum.
Italy broke the deadlock on the brink of half-time, however, when a teasing ball into the area from Simone Pafundi allowed Tommaso Ebone to nod home.
Will Lankshear had time to go close with a header but directed it straight into into the goalkeepers’ hands as the half-time whistle blew.
The game became more open in the second period with England starting fast, though the hosts showed their defensive solidity as they held onto a slim lead.
The leveller did eventually come, however, when Darko Gyabi launched a fantastic 25-yard strike into Lorenzo Torrianis’ bottom-left corner.
Moments later, a combination of Tommy Simkin and Kaelan Casey on the goal-line stopped a near certain goal when AC Milan midfielder Kevin Zeroli went close with a header, fast reactions keeping the scores level.
The half continued in the same open fashion as Zack Nelson fizzed a shot just wide of the post before goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani denied Dominic Ballard with a point-blank header.
But the Young Lions walked away the happier of the two sides in the end. Ballard latched onto a loose ball in added time and he squared for Max Dean, who comfortably tucked away his chance, giving Paul Nevin’s side the lead only a handful of minutes from time.
With three impressive points in their back pocket, the Young Lions now return home to face Czechia in Doncaster on Monday 14 October (7pm BST) in search of two wins in two.
Starting XI: 1 Tommy Simkin (Walsall), 2 Kellen Fisher (Norwich City), 3 Benjamin Chrisene (Norwich City), 4 Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle), 5 Kaelan Casey (West Ham United), 6 Ashley Phillips (Stoke City), 7 Romain Esse (Millwall), 8 Zack Nelson (Luton Town), 9 William Lankshear (Tottenham Hotspur), 10 Tobias Collyer (Manchester United), 11 George Earthy (Bristol City)
Substitutes: 17 Dominic Ballard (Blackpool) for Esse 65’, 18 Kaide Gordon (Norwich City) for Earthy 65’, 19 Max Dean (K.A.A Gent) for Lankshear 65’, 12 Joshua Acheampong (Chelsea) for Fisher 80’, 14 Elijah Campbell (Ross County) for Benjamin Chrisene 80’, 16 Bradley Hills (Norwich City) for Kaelan Casey 80’
Substitutes not used: 13 Max Merrick (Chelsea), 15 Max Alleyne (Manchester City), 22 Ben Cisse (West Bromwich Albion)
Goals: Gyabi 57’, Dean 92’
Head Coach: Paul Nevin
